Positives

• One ME/CFS patient reported reduced joint pain, improved sleep, and a more relaxed nervous system after starting the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, with their biggest gains being in inflammation and brain fog Phoenix Rising.
  
  

Negatives

• A member reported that SCD made her feel good overall but the effects plateaued short of a cure, and she discovered she had drifted into ketosis despite including fruits in her version of the diet Phoenix Rising.
  
  
• A third user had to stop SCD before reaching seven months due to mental side effects including depression, apathy, and frustration, and noted that the high cooking load was too energy-intensive to sustain on an ME/CFS budget Phoenix Rising.
  
  

Hurdles & Side Effects

• Forum members note that SCD is extremely restrictive and requires near-complete home cooking, which is a significant practical barrier for patients with limited daily energy; some developed new food intolerances (fish, chicken, nuts, seeds, oils) after two years of strict adherence Phoenix Rising.