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Low Carb Side effects.

DawnyBlue81

DawnyBlue81

Member
Messages
17
Location
Sole Trader Pet Supplies
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Rude People! Animal Cruelty
Hi Guys,
I've been on a moderate LCHF diet for around 3 weeks now and my BS has gone from 18 to 20 down to 7 to 9 and I've lost about 3kg. BUT I'm getting a few side effects.
1. Itching head and shoulders. Gets worse at night. I can kinds live with this but it's irritating.
2. I have projectile yellow diarrhea (sorry if TMI lol) it normally starts after eating breakfast and last for a couple hours but the last few days it's lasted most the day. And this morning I hadn't eaten a thing before it started.

Has anyone else suffered like this? Any ideas what may be the problem and how to get rid of it?

Thanks for Reading xx
Dawny
 
Hello and welcome!

Are you taking any diabetes medications - Metformin perhaps? Metformin is well known to cause tummy/diarrhea problems. Normally, a big reduction in carbs causes problems the other way, if you get my meaning.

As for the itching, it could be related to fast changes in blood sugar levels - dropping or increasing quickly, or simply high BS levels. It is difficult to answer that one.
 
I also did itch a lot initially, especially when loosing weight ... and maybe because of taking metformin... but I think mostly because I lost weight rapidly on purpose... I don´t itch anylonger , and sadly also do regain weight because of more relaxed eating style..

the diarrhoea is a more serious problem... maybe try changing to slow release metformin if you are on metformin now..
 
Hi Guys,
Thanks for your answers. I'm on quite a few meds. I've been on the slow release metformin since 2010 and have never had the upset tummy the way I have now. I have just Neen started on a background insulin of 20mg a night and a new tablet called Jardiance Empagliflozin. Could it be that my body is not liking all the fat??

Dawny xx
 
If you wish to lose weight there is no need to add fat when doing LCHF, as the fat can come from your own bodies stores. Just have enough fat to make you feel full up, so you don't stack between meals.

Both "low carb" and Jardiance have a risk of dehydration, so drink a lot of water, and add a little more salt to your food, or have a stock cube in a mag of hot water each day.

Keep checking your BG, as I expect it will soon be at a level that will need your insulin dose decreased, I hope you understand the risk of hypos and what to do about them, otherwise ask someone who knows.
 
Hi Ringi,
I don't tend to add lots of fat in my diet as I have heart desease in the family and my dad had his first heart attack at 40. So I'm a little afraid of using extra fats for cooking etc.

I'm drinking around 3 letre of water a day and 2 cups of tea at most. I'm hoping this is a good amount of water.

In the 7 years after I was diagnosed my blood sugars have never been under 18. It was only that I was becoming I'll constantly and doctor would just keep adding more pills that I lost my temper and demanded to see a diabetic specialist. I now have a nice doctor and a wonderful diabetic nurse who are looking after me and I've learnt more in the month with them than I did in 7 years with my doctor. I test my blood 4 times a day and more if I feel dizzy or sick.

Dawny x
 
Im not sure if its the low carb diet, the hour walking my dog a day, the insulin or the new tablets that are working but i'm so glad it is working lol
 
Just keep doing it all. The best time for a walk to control BG is about 30 minutes after a meal. 10 minutes walk after each meal seems to get better results than a 30-minute walk once a day.
 
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