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Tired on low carb diet

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debbie24

Member
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19
Hello everyone,

My partner's been on a low carb diet for about 7 days now, about 50g carbs a day, but he's absolutely tired out and has to go to bed and lie down. He doesn't feel ill just very tired and he's a bit confused too. He takes calcium and magnesium supplements and a good multi vit supplement. Is this what can be expected when starting this type of diet ? He feels so tired that he can't be bothered eating and says he's not hungry and just goes to sleep. Any suggestions ?

Debbie
 
Dr Atkins' own advice (found on another forum. Don't know source :( )

"There are a few people who experience fatigue or light-headedness during their first week doing Atkins. Most often this means that the progress is going too fast for their particular metabolism--they're losing weight too fast, losing water and certain minerals too fast, and their bodies can't keep pace with these quick changes. One sign is ascent weakness: you feel weak walking up stairs, These reactions can be aggrevated by hot weather, when you are already losing minerals through sweat, or by taking a diuretic. Obviously drinking lots of water is essential.
Usually, I advise patients who have these problems to slow down the weight loss. They should add another helping of vegetables to their evening meal or two ounces of nuts or seeds. Although their bodies would almost certainly adjust during the second week, there isn't any good reason for feeling washed out and sickly for even one day. After the symptoms abate, go back to the lower level of carb intake."
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and apparently "The new book, "New Atkins New You" suggests 2 cups of broth (NOT low sodium) , one in the morning, one in the afternoon to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances."

Geoff
 
Dr Atkins also recommends drinking at least 2 litres of pure water every day. Tap water is fine. I do that by filling a 2-litre jug every morning and taking a drink every time I go past. If you're out, take a litre bottle and finish that over the day. It's not as daunting as trying to down a whole glassful every few hours.

Have a quick look at Viv's Modified Atkins Diet, which is a Sticky Thread. It's basically Atkins Induction Diet, which is designed to be low-carb (25g) but otherwise nutritionally balanced. If he's eating those types of food he should be okay.

I've never had side effects of any kind on Atkins, and certainly not tiredness, but I know some people do. In your place I'd increase the carbs a bit, mainly from vegetables and fruit (eg berries, plums, apricots - maybe a small apple), and reduce them again slowly once he begins to feel better.

let us know how he goes on.

Viv 8)
 
debbie24 wrote
I've just done my partners BG and it's 16.6, I know this is high but for him it's a reasonably low reading.
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If he's used to experiencing ultra high levels then it's not surprising he's experiencing withdrawal symptoms. For some, carbs really are an addiction.
It will all be worth it in the end :D

Geoff
 
debbie24 said:
I've just done my partners BG and it's 16.6, I know this is high but for him it's a reasonably low reading.
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Still very high though Debbie, I would suggest he goes back to see his GP/DN and discuss his bg levels.
 
It sounds like both Atkins flu and a touch of dehydration. Atkins flu will pass in a day or two and if he drinks plenty of water, when the flu symptoms pass he should be left with boundless energy. Atkins flu is simply the body changing from a carbohydrate burning machine to a fat burning machine. It isn't pleasant, but it is only short lived. Get him to drink lots of clear fluids as well as his usual drinks and he should be fine. While the body is changing to a fat burning machine it rids its self of excess water, this is the reason many people lose a lot of weight in the first week or two of low carbing. He will be fine. That said, if his figures are still not coming down at a reasonable speed, a precautionary visit to the GP would be in order to make sure he is on the right medication etc. I'm sure all will be well, try not to worry.
 
Thank you all, I've just done his 2 hour after meal BG and it's down to 14.2 which I'm pleased about, it's one of his lowest readings at this time of the day we've had for a long time, so I think we must be heading in the right direction, perhaps I'm a little impatient. Jo, I was thinking along the same lines myself really and thought possibly I wasn't giving him enough to eat but since he's had some tea he's better, still a bit confused but I think it will pass when we get over the transition period.

Thanks again everyone, very much appreciated your support.

Debbie
 
One huge thing to remember. When you cut down/out carbs, you must replace those calories. Protein can be turned into glucose, so your best bet by far is extra fats. Make sure they are heart healthy fats like, butter, cream, cheese, the fat on meat and full fat yogurts, that kind of thing. Fry his foods in olive oil (I use avocado oil) all calories dense but good fats. They will help fill the hole left by the carbs. It's easy to just drop carbs and not replace them, but he really does need his calories kept to a reasonable level, or he will become ill and his low carbing diet without the extra made up with fats will seem to be the cause. Up his healthy fats (I have cream in coffee, and a bowl of double cream whipped up with a no added sugar jelly for desert most days, he could have full fat Greek yogurt (Fage is the one most of us use, with some berries, I also add chia seeds and flax to mine)). You will get the hang of this quite quickly and have yourself a new husband. :lol:

You're doing brilliantly - Jo.
 
Thanks Jo, because he's a bit confused, he thinks he's drinking lots of water but in fact he isn't and if I 'suggest' he drinks some water he starts getting a bit crabby, so he'll drink coffee but doesn't that encourage insulin production ?

Debbie
 
debbie24 said:
Thanks Jo, because he's a bit confused, he thinks he's drinking lots of water but in fact he isn't and if I 'suggest' he drinks some water he starts getting a bit crabby, so he'll drink coffee but doesn't that encourage insulin production ?

Debbie
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I drink gallons of coffee a day Debbie, mind, I did stop drinking quite as much when I discovered Chai tea, I add lemon or lime juice to that and get a good dose of Vitamin C into the bargain. I loathe water from the tap and refuse to drink it, I started with bottled still water, but then went onto bottles carbonated water. I add lemon or lime to that too, I also sometimes add no added sugar squash, Robinsons make it, and it really helps. The thing to try perhaps, is difficult to drink plenty of water when it's straight from the tap, and plain, but a bit of lemon, lime or squash makes all the difference, and the carbonated stuff I can drink 'till it comes out my ears. I used to buy Perrier, now I just buy Sainsbury's own and it's great.

If he gets a bit crabby, threaten him you'll phone me :lol: No, seriously, try different things and I'm sure you will find a way to get the water down him.
 
Normally drinking water isn't a problem, we drink about 26 x 500ml bottles a week between us as well as fruit teas and coffee ( I don't do coffee, I'm a tea belly !) but I think it's just the confusion and the high sugar levels that make him a noughty old sod, I'll be glad of the new husband when he arrives !!!
 
debbie24 said:
Normally drinking water isn't a problem, we drink about 26 x 500ml bottles a week between us as well as fruit teas and coffee ( I don't do coffee, I'm a tea belly !) but I think it's just the confusion and the high sugar levels that make him a noughty old sod, I'll be glad of the new husband when he arrives !!!
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:lol: You need to be very careful what you wish for. :lol:

As I got better and better and stronger, I began spring cleaning, everyone did nothing but moan they couldn't find anything. My husband was pleased though (I think). :lol:
 
I found that after a few days on LCHF that I didn't feel as thirsty as I normally did and nor did I feel hungry. Also my tummy was calm for the first time in decades and it all felt a bit strange to me. I also slept and slept and slept but I did feel that my tummy, liver, intestines, kidneys etc were actually having a well earned rest.

I read The Diabetes Miracle and The Scandinavian diet and I just went with the 'only eat when you're hungry' advice and I also applied that to drinking. I eat and drink when I'm hungry or thirsty and not because I think I 'should' eat or drink. The result is my body is re-regulating itself and asking for what it wants when it wants - it's a little erratic to start with but eventually it settles into its own routine.

I think we unconsciously follow a lot of 'shoulds' because we're bombarded with 'this is good for you, this is healthy' messages - no wonder our bodies protest eventually and yell "Will you listen to ME please!"

I think your partner is adjusting to his new regime.
 
Thanks for that Gracek, that's just how my partner is, he doesn't feel hungry and thirsty and is sleeping a lot too. I suppose I'm concerned about the fact he's not having anything to eat for hours but he doesn't seem to be any the worse for it. Maybe this is why he's being a bit crabby as he sees me trying to 'force' him to eat something. Were you confused at all ?
 
Hello, just chucking in my two-pennies worth :D

When i started getting my blood sugars down, my body was so used to being in the teens that I felt quite disorientated for a few days. I slept and slept cos I wasnt having broken sleep for the thirst and then going to the loo every hour.

And, looking back, I really think my body had been poisoned by all the carbs I had been eating, and needed time to recover.

If he is still having sugar levels in the teens after about 10-14 days of low carbing, I would see the doctor again in case he isnt type 2 but is late onset type 1.

When you say he is confused, can explain what you mean please?
 
This seems to be the case with some folks doesn't it, I think you're absolutely right about poisoning our systems, it's been going on for so long that the body is going to take a while to adjust. The confusion....I can have a very lucid conversation with him and then he'll say "where are we now" and that just throws me. He says he doesn't feel ill but just absolutely tired out, I'm just going to let him sleep as much as he can. Unfortunately as we've only been doing the low carb for 8 days now, we have to keep trying foodstuffs to see what he can tolerate, so this is leading to a bit of yo yoing with the BG's, but they are coming down slowly.

Thanks for your comments
 
Only eight days in, you are doing amazingly well. One day soon, it will all come together, and you will be so surprised in the turn around. It's brilliant that you are sharing your hubby's journey with us, as reading it reminds me of me only in March. I am a different person now.

Really pleased for you both - Jo.
 
Thanks Jo, it's people like you that are keeping us going with all the wonderful support and advice. Every time I get a reply I end up crying on my keyboard, I'm so overwhelmed by it all, silly old ****** aren't I :D
 
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