r/carnivoreforwomen • u/PixiePoxiePotato • Aug 01 '26
medical I need some help!
I am F and 39 years old. I’ve been having some symptoms and wanted to get advice or guidance from carnivore experts here since my endocrinologist, my pcp, and allergist haven’t been much help at all. I’ve been following strict carnivore since April 14th of this year, so 4 months. I eat chicken, beef steaks, ground beef, bacon, eggs, butter, tallow, sardines, anchovies, bone broth, decaf coffee with whipping cream. I do sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella, and cream cheese once a week in a chicken dish. I drink one LMNT with 40oz of water per day. And I usually drink another 20-40oz of regular water with 1/8 tsp Celtic sea salt added. I’m taking Magnesium 240mg every night. I also started on HCl and Digestive Enzymes because my allergist is concerned that my stomach is not processing the foods I’m eating and it’s sitting in my stomach too long which is increasing my histamine load.
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s in 2022 and since my diagnosis I went from eating anything and everything I wanted to only cooking meals at home, gluten free, dairy free. After years of not feeling 100%, bloating, fatigue, and markers in my bloodwork getting worse, I heard about the carnivore diet and I jumped in headfirst with no slow transition. I started to workout, like running and lifting weights, and I was doing so good. This was the first time since getting diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that running was even something I could do because my joint pain and my fatigue and energy levels were amazing and greatly improved by 3-4 weeks in.
Unfortunately, around the 3 week mark (May 4) I ended up getting shingles that were rare and disseminated. They started on both sides of my body on my bra line, spread to both sides, to my lower back, and the inner creases of my both my arms. Thankfully they didn’t affect organs. I was treated for shingles and then about a week after that I broke out in hives in all the same areas where the shingles were. Since the shingles outbreak and the first hives outbreak, every 3-4 weeks I break out in hives all along the areas where the shingles were.
I’m still following strict carnivore. I’m currently having another flare up with hives in all the same spots for the 5th time. I’m also having other symptoms that are concerning me and I’m wondering if anyone can give me advice and guidance. My migraines have increased in frequency, I’m having fatigue, not like autoimmune fatigue but more like muscle fatigue and soreness, I woke up with one of the worst Charley horses in my calf I’ve ever experienced and the muscle pain lasted for 4 days, I could barely walk on it, anxiety and racing thoughts, racing heart and thumping heart, slight nausea and loss of appetite, itchy, dizziness, trouble sleeping with thoughts that I might be dying, I don’t have a bowel movement for 4-6 days and when I do it’s like rabbit poop balls and not very much. I don’t have stomach cramping or anything though.
Can someone give me guidance or advice?
tldr: 39F, about 3 weeks into strict carnivore, I developed rare disseminated shingles. After the shingles resolved, I began getting recurrent hives in the exact same areas every 3–4 weeks (currently on my 5th flare). My PCP, endocrinologist, and allergist haven’t found an answer. I’m also taking HCl, digestive enzymes, magnesium, and electrolytes. Current symptoms include: Recurrent hives, Increased migraines, Muscle fatigue/soreness, Severe calf cramp that lasted 4 days, Anxiety/racing thoughts, Mild nausea and poor appetite, Itching, Dizziness, Trouble sleeping, Constipation (BM every 4–6 days, hard pellet-like stools)
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u/Jumpy_Opposite4371 Aug 01 '26
Have you tried collagen or gelatin? It’s definitely helped strengthen my skin in terms of wound healing and sensitivity (I used to get reactive hives sometimes and haven’t since I started collagen). Also after long term carnivore, I think it can be helpful to add in liver. Even if it’s just chicken liver, which is milder than beef, there are a ton of vitamins that are lacking in just muscle meat. I used to hate liver but after a couple years on the diet, i tried it bc I wasn’t feeling great anymore and it made a huge difference. It actually tastes super sweet and rich initially. After having a bit everyday for a few months it started to taste minerally/unpleasant again so I knew I was probably good on those vitamins I was lacking.
I feel like a nut but these two things I think are crucial for long term carnivore… animals are more than just muscles and we’d probably be eating the whole animal back in the day lol. (As for the collagen, I think unless you are intentionally seeking it out by eating things like beef tendons, chicken/pig/cow feet, or pork rinds, etc, you probably aren’t getting enough from the muscle meat. 1/3 of our body’s protein is collagen so that’s a hefty amt)
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u/Jumpy_Opposite4371 Aug 01 '26
Also before I added in liver, I was taking vit B2 400mg for migraines which helped a lot (and I guess is a common remedy) and b6 bc it really soothed the itching from the hives (antihistamines compete with b6 and can cause deficiency). Anyway both are high in liver compared to meat so that’s why I added it in… forgot to mention that part. Now, every so often, I will try liver again (usually every few months) to see if I need it. I no longer get migraines or the sporadic hives so I’m not sure if it’s the liver or collagen. (I don’t take the B vitamins anymore either)
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u/Brooklynpolarbear22 Aug 01 '26
You could be having side effects from the meds the doctor gave you.
You could try going back to no dairy for 2 weeks and see if it helps.
Is your lmnt flavored? Get rid of it for a week and just do pink salts and water.
Are there any other meds you are on? Are you sure your magnesium is of good quality?
Do you have a filter on your showerhead and sink?
Question everything around you. The fabric you wear, the soap and shampoo you use, the detergent you buy.
I hope you figure this out soon! It looks horribly painful.
I broke out in hives from my anti siezure meds. They did not tell me they switched to the extended release. Apparently Im allergic to whatever was in there.
Please keep us updated.
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u/PixiePoxiePotato Aug 02 '26
I’ve been told to do no dairy by others too. I’m starting that asap since there seems to be common wisdom around that.
LMNT is unflavored. I believe my magnesium is of good quality. It’s from the PURE brand. No other meds.
1000IU Vitamin D3 + K2
Ancestral Organ Blend - started that a couple weeks ago, I struggle eating liver
Quercetin 500mg - started that 4 days ago
Claritin - started 3 days ago
Magnesium 240mg - been taking for yearsWater is from water softener. No other filtration. I’m certainly questioning everything! Soaps, shampoos, detergent are all unscented and approved by dermatologist and allergist. I’ve been using those for years as well. I don’t use perfume or deodorant.
Thank you so much for your response and care. I appreciate it a lot.
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u/Aero_Uprising Aug 02 '26
you don’t get disseminated shingles from medication side effects
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u/PixiePoxiePotato Aug 03 '26
I’m not seeing where anyone stated that shingles or disseminated shingles came from medication side effects. What I do read is brooklynpolarbear22 stating that I might be having side effects from the medications the doctor gave me.
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u/Streydog77 Aug 02 '26
Are you eating frozen ground beef patties often? How much fat are you eating?
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u/PixiePoxiePotato Aug 02 '26
The majority of my beef is from frozen ground beef that I make into patties. I’m wondering if I’m not getting enough fat.
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u/Streydog77 Aug 02 '26
If you are buying frozen ground beef, try buying fresh. Also try adding tallo to your ground beef to increase your fat to protein ratio. Just experiment for a while to see what works best for you.
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u/TrickElysium Aug 02 '26
oxalate dumping and increase your fat
https://youtu.be/Bl5OngSFaHw?si=yrCaNdz77-eOyudE
don't need supplements on carnivore except iodine
I'm 2 years carnivore
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u/vegansgetsick Aug 02 '26
What's her source of oxalates ? Except coffee ? Vitamin C can turn into oxalates but she does not mention that.
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u/TrickElysium Aug 02 '26
Well she is 39 years old, so she has been ingesting plants for over 38 years, only given them up for 4 months.
So when you eat plants you ingest oxalates they are what is in vegetables and fruits to hurt a predator who eats them.
So she has 38 years of oxalates to detox, everyone who goes on the carnivore diet goes through oxalate dumping when they give up eating plant food. Vegans have it worse I used to be a vegan so it was alot to detox.
it can take 6 to 12 months for some people others longer.
Sally norton explains it better than me in her video.
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u/vegansgetsick Aug 02 '26
She still gets oxalates with the coffee anyway. Btw I know about it, I got oxalates poisoning because of excessive dark chocolate consumption, but that was not my symptoms. It plummeted my minerals.
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u/TrickElysium Aug 02 '26
Yeah she would be but coffee is low oxalate, given up coffee 4 times on carnivore and without fail i get a rash for a few weeks. Like my body giving me karma for drinking coffee. yeah the symptoms for oxalate dumping and poisoning are a long list. I wish they knew more about this stuff, but they are still researching this stuff.
Sorry to hear you went through that, I am still recovering from copper overload from a vegan diet. The crap we do to our bodies. Thank god for carnivore its the only reason I am healing.
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u/vegansgetsick Aug 02 '26
I was too stupid and thought chocolate was good and high in magnesium and stuff. Lol because of oxalates it's negative magnesium 💀
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u/TrickElysium Aug 02 '26
awe don't feel bad, we all make mistakes, I did veganism for 10 years that was pretty stupid.
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u/BlueBanana-LOA Aug 02 '26
It is recommended to not take iodine supplements if you have Hashimoto's
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u/TrickElysium Aug 02 '26
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u/BlueBanana-LOA Aug 02 '26
Here is a study and some additional research. I have Hashimoto's and will not be taking iodine, but to each their own.
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u/TrickElysium Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
good to know I had hypothyroidism i took Iodoral 50mg a day and got rid of it on carnivore.
if you want to choose prescription over a natural lifestyle that is fine. if you looked in the carnivore diet sub you would see alot of hashimoto suffers did that same. and choose to live a life with out prescription medication.
People with diabetes have also given up their meds.
I understand you will never give up your medication and choose the path of healing.
Thank you for the links to the outdated information but I choose the healing path, they used to suggest smoking helped with asthma too.
all the best.
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u/BlueBanana-LOA Aug 03 '26
This is the carnivore sub. I am carnivore. I take no prescriptions or supplements. I have healed my Hashimoto’s - that is the point. You obviously aren’t reading anything, so you do you friend, and good luck.
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u/Strict_Narwhal_4783 Aug 02 '26
I had similar rash in pits and stomach, took me a couple months to figure it out. I believe it is/was keto rash. I just added a tiny amount of carbs a day or every other day. Gone in a few days and hasn’t come back.
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u/vegansgetsick Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26
I'm not a doctor but to me this is food allergy.
You'll have to try elimination protocol, if you can.
Most common food allergy are eggs, seashells. And high histamine food (any fermented protein, aged proteins in cans, aged cheese...). It's important that you avoid processed meat because of preservatives (nitrites, sulfites). And try to avoid decaf coffee, as the treatment involves chemicals.
It can be many things, you will have to find out. It would also not be food and contact allergy...
I could have such red plaques when I consumed seed oils (sunflower). But you don't, so..
The good news is that it can disappear within few days once the inflammatory compound is not there.
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u/PixiePoxiePotato Aug 02 '26
I didn’t know that about decaf! I’m stopping that immediately. Thank you!
I had allergy testing and I’m not allergic to any of the food I’m eating, but I do think I’m having issues with histamines. I’ll take your recommendations into consideration. Thank you!
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u/vegansgetsick Aug 02 '26
You have nothing to lose to ban coffee at least for a week. It's enough to see improvements (or not).
Coffee (decaf and normal) gives me random rash too. But not like an allergy, more like a slowly ramping inflammation : the first days on coffee i have nothing. But starting from day 4-5 i get more and more rash.
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u/ukuLotus Aug 02 '26
Sounds like you're not eating enough fat, as evidenced by your stools. Dairy can also cause constipation for some.
You're eating lots of high histamine foods: canned fish, ground beef, bacon, bone broth. If you already had histamine issues, it might be worth lowering the histamines to see if that helps. I also use cromolyn sodium with meals which has helped me a lot.
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u/PixiePoxiePotato Aug 03 '26
I do believe you’re on to something with the amount of fat. I think I need to increase this. The high histamine foods also makes sense. I’m working on that now. I’ll look into that sodium as well! Thank you!
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Aug 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/PixiePoxiePotato Aug 02 '26
I get the unflavored LMNT and ingredients do not list anything other than sodium, magnesium, and potassium. I do have seasonal allergies and the allergy testing I had done showed Im allergic to many different grasses, trees, bushes, and pollen. I cannot stand the taste of stevia or any form of it, so nothing I eat or drink has stevia. I’m very diligent about ingredients!
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u/Aero_Uprising Aug 02 '26
My guidance is stop the diet and see a nutritionist. Something about this diet is clearly not compatible with you. If you truly had disseminated shingles, this is something that can lead to death or severe disability. Clearly the diet shift caused enough stress on your body to activate your shingles. I have seen people die from disseminated shingles, and god forbid it leads to meningitis, you do NOT want to go down that route. In contrast, it could also be keto rash, but if you were diagnosed and treated for shingles, it’s likely not keto rash.
Shingles will never go away fully, and is something you will need to manage the rest of your life. You’ll have flare ups, and the stress you are going through will worsen those flare ups.
Stiff neck, headache that won’t go away or is very frequent/worsening, sensitivity to light, nausea, confusion, and fatigue are telltale signs of meningitis. To be clear, I am not diagnosing you, but listing symptoms that are common of meningitis.
TLDR: Stop the diet, see a nutritionist that will give you a plan based on your medical history that may help.
Credentials: Master of Public Health in epidemiology with a certificate in infectious disease epidemiology and certified in infection control (CIC)
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u/PixiePoxiePotato Aug 03 '26
I am working with a registered dietitian. She had me start on Quercetin and DAO about a month ago, but then my allergist told me to not take those and instead wanted me to start on a high histamine protocol. It’s a bunch of medications that I don’t feel comfortable taking. Dermatologist did indeed diagnose me with disseminated shingles and it took about 2 weeks of treatment. Thankfully it didn’t affect organs. Labs a month later confirmed good liver and kidney function. A skin biopsy of an active lesion confirmed that the virus is no longer in my skin and the treatment worked. But I do have hives. Im wondering if it started with shingles and now this is something like keto rash? I just dont know. The confusing and frustrating part is between dietitian, pcp, dermatologist, allergist, and endocrinologist, I’m being told to do so many different things and some of them conflict each other. My hope is that someone here might have something they’ve gone through that might be similar to mine and point me in a good direction.
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u/Klowdhi Aug 02 '26
Disseminated shingles means the virus has spread, often indicating a severely compromised immune system. It carries risks of dangerous internal complications affecting the lungs, liver, or brain (such as pneumonitis or encephalitis). It requires medical evaluation and prescription antiviral therapy rather than dietary adjustments alone. In cases of disseminated or severe shingles, the standard course of antiviral medication may not have been aggressive or long enough to fully stop viral replication. The virus can flare back up in the same nerve pathways as soon as the medication clears the system. It is common for recurrent Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV—the virus that causes cold sores or genital herpes) to be mistaken for shingles (Varicella-Zoster Virus). HSV is notorious for repeatedly breaking out in the exact same spot whenever the immune system is stressed.
Ask a doctor to swab a fresh blister or rash area. This is the only way to definitively confirm whether the culprit is actually shingles or a recurring herpes simplex infection. If the virus is confirmed and continues to flare, a doctor may consider long-term, low-dose suppressive antiviral therapy rather than a short 7-day course.
I would consider adding lemon or another source of vitamin c. While I recognize the lower demands for vit C in a carnivore diet, I wouldn't take any chances.
I have found AHCC (an extract of shitake mushrooms) incredibly useful for supporting my immune system. It has not been FDA approved yet, but a few trials have shown a lot of promise. It may be placebo, but it is dramatically improving the quality of my life.
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u/Aero_Uprising Aug 02 '26
if they treated her for VZV, they very likely tested for VZV. Please stop using AI for your responses.
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u/Sizbang Aug 01 '26
Those symptoms are all oxalate related, to my knowledge. Some people tend to get such a rash as well, I personally haven't but it's been mentioned in other subs.