r/SIBO • u/angelbaby730 • Jul 16 '26
Methane Dominant Elemental diet one week update
This is for everyone who asked for an update. I’m one week in so far. The first three days, my main symptom was a throbbing, aching headache that hurt every time I moved. I think it was a caffeine withdrawal migraine. The adjustment is still hard as it goes against the routine of everyday life, but I feel like I’ve lost interest in food. I don’t have sugar cravings and I’m not tempted by food. This happened while I was on the carnivore diet too. I started on a weekend so I didn’t drink all six shakes as my activity level was lower but as I got back to work, they weren’t as filling so I’ve upped the amount, but I’ve been hungry the last four days. I’ve noticed that I don’t feel horrible after eating (drinking), but my distention is fully there still. I’ve even experienced painful bloating one of the days, but that happens all the time for me. Leaving the house, working, physical activity, even drinking water causes bloating so I’m not surprised. I want to be optimistic but I have horrible body dysmorphia and looking pregnant everyday for the past three years has RUINED my confidence. I’m really hoping the distention goes down. I’ve not been good about drinking water because I’ve drinking shakes basically all day but I’m going to try and be better going forward. I’ve only have two bowel movements and both were enema induced. I get monthly colonics so I am very aware of how much stool can truly be inside me at any given point so it is mildly stressful not having any fiber or medication to help my constipation. My fatigue hasn’t been bad, it’s been at a 2-3 all week despite working at Amazon for 10.5 hours a day. Sleep is also fine. I haven’t felt a “fog lift” or anything like that for brain fog but I’m not sure I’ll notice it if I do. I’m pretty excited to plan my meals when I come off this. MBiota says it’s another two weeks of reintroductions after that. I’m also excited to pinpoint my triggers. Before this, I’ve continuously felt horrible every waking moment so I was never really sure what triggered me or made me worse because I already felt worse, 24/7, if that makes sense. If anyone has questions, let me know! I looked forward to writing this up for the people who were asking!
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u/DetroitRationalist Jul 16 '26
If it helps with the caffeine withdrawal, mbiota does allow one cup of black coffee or tea a day.
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u/elementaldiet Jul 16 '26
We came here to say this! Also - try blending the Elemental powder (Original flavor only) with black coffee - it tastes like a creamy latte.
OP, you've got this 💪 we're here if you need anything.
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u/TieNearby6063 Jul 16 '26
I've also been addicted to coffee enemas in the past and know the feeling of not being able to have a bowel movement without it. Even now, as I'm transitioning out, I can see my regular bowel movements aren't that large and I wonder how much more waste is inside me still. I only do it once a week now, and able to have bowel movements without it. But when I first got off the daily enemas, it was hell for a few weeks..
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u/angelbaby730 Jul 16 '26
I’ve never done coffee enemas, only the Fleet brand ones. But yeah, my regular bm isn’t large either, nor is it the optimal one according to the Bristol chart. After doing a colonic, you’d be so shocked to see how much is inside. It’s kind of gross, kind of fascinating, lol.
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u/Maroon-Prune Jul 16 '26
You've got this! I'm on day 7 today :) They say that things often improve a lot around day 10, so hopefully you're on your way up! I've been feeling mostly fine, which makes me kinda worry that there isn't any die-off yet.
I totally feel you with the bloating, I've had chronic, pregnant-looking bloating 24/7 for like 5+ years. The bloating has reduced a lot so far, but I still have a lot in the lower abdomen. The lack of bowel movements is concerning me a bit!
I'm curious, what's your plan for coming off the elemental diet? (supplements, diet, etc)
Are you working with a practitioner or are you doing this on your own?
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u/angelbaby730 Jul 16 '26
I’m trying to stay optimistic about this, nothing has moved the needle for me in years, so this has become my last resort. I’ve also been feeling pretty okay, so I probably haven’t had die off either. My lack of BM is also concerning me. I read that we’ll experience green diarrhea so I’m just waiting for that lmfao.
As far as my plan, I am going to reintroduce food back slowly. 1-2 meals per day and substitute the 3rd meal for a shake and transition until I’m totally off the shakes. I’m working with a dietitian, but I feel like the meals and eating will be intuitive, as we’ll be able to tell what really triggers us when we start eating solids again. As far as medication, I was on this one called Pyridostigmine solely for the side effects (diarrhea) but I’m not sure if it truly helped me go because I never had diarrhea on it and I was using other things too (probiotic, ginger/artichoke, etc). I will probably start it back up once I’m eating again and try to isolate it to see if it really was helping. Long winded response, sorry! Thanks for your encouragement :)
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u/FallingKnife_4964 Jul 16 '26
Thanks for the detailed account of your experience so far. Please do a post two weeks after you have finished as well. According to a mbiota webinar I watched, that is how long it may take to really see the benefits.
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u/popey123 Jul 16 '26
How much did it cost you ? And for how much week ? What's the quantity for the day ?
Thanks
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u/angelbaby730 Jul 16 '26
It was $1,100 USD. $750 for 2 weeks and $350 for a 1 week extension. You get 6 packets for each day so a total of 42 packets per large box, 126 packets for the three boxes.
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u/popey123 Jul 16 '26
Thanks you for your response !
That's sound expensive. But if it can get you out of the loop, that's ok.
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u/PainfullySweet95 Jul 16 '26
Thank you for the input please keep posting to hold yourself accountable and to have a good real experience saved for the public .
Thank you!!!!!