Dizzy/Light headed when I stand...

[MsWoods]

For about the past 5 days, when I stand up I have been getting really dizzy and light headed. I've also had some headaches as well. This never happened before eating LC this time around. I have been drinking over a gallon of water a day but I wonder if my calorie/fat intake isn't enough? I'm just not hungry and if I force food down I feel sick. I have been eating under 800/cal a day. Do I need to force myself to eat more? Snack even if I'm not hungry?

Any suggestions would be appreciated because yesterday I thought I was going to pass out, it was that bad. It took me about 30 seconds just standing still to get myself together.

[CherryCola]

First, I think 800 calories is way too low. I don't know what your weight/height stats are, but I can guess almost assuredly that you need more.

Second, I wonder with all that water and low carb (has some diuretic properties), perhaps you're depleting some potassium. If this continues, I think a doctor's trip is definitely in order.

[MsWoods]

I was also wondering about that. Is a gallon a day too much?

I don't have insurance so a Dr. trip could be pretty costly. I know it has something to do with this WOE because it didn't start until about 5 days ago.

Edited to add: I noticed when I force myself to drink water (to try to get my gallon in) I feel sick sometimes. I had a diet soda last night for the first time since starting LC and I felt better.

[CherryCola]

I can't drink a gallon of water <- but I can barely get in 4-6 cups a day! I do know of others on here that a gallon is next to nothing for them! You may want to check out some potassium supplements or that lite salt to use. Not sure of which plan you use, but I think Dr. Atkins does mention potassium issues (especially in the way of restless leg/charlie horses).

However, I think you should really try to up your calories for a few days to see if this resolves itself.

[MsWoods]

Thanks so much, I'm eating some fattier beef today to try to up my calories without eating much more. I'm also going to try to find a potassium supplement (I did some research before you posted :P) and think this may be a problem.

Thanks for your suggestions Cherry.

[fischdeb1]

The same thing happened to me last summer. I went for a doctor's check-up and everything was fine. I then increased my calories and carbs and was back to normal.
Deb

[MsWoods]

Oh yeah I forgot to mention, my carbs have been, like, way under 10g most of the time, not on purpose though so I'm going to try to eat better and see if that helps.

[KJMK31]

DRINKING TOO MUCH WATER CAN KILL YOU. IT BECOMES TOXIC. PLEASE BE CAREFUL! IT'S CALLED HYPONATREMIA IF YOU WANT TO LOOK IT UP. IT'S MORE DANGEROUS IN WOMEN!!!!

[Rosethorn]

Please eat more food.....800 calories is way to low you need at least 1200. I'm doing 1400 and am losing steadily. This is a dangerous way to lose weight.

[goheels]

Low blood pressure can cause these symptoms also.

[LowCarbSarahTryin!]

Sounds like orthostatic hypotension to me. Keep those calories up to at least 1200/day if you can help it. Even if it takes loading butter or olive oil on everything you eat. Also, try drinking some sugar-free electrolyte solutions if you can (Powerade Zero, Pedialyte, etc.). Good luck, hope you feel better soon!!!

[Dr_Jim]

IMHO it is not the calories. At that level of calories though, assuming low fat/low or no carb and higher protein, I would refer to your plan as a PSMF. Not simply low carb.

With a gallon of water a day, doing LC, you will lose sodium/potassium & magnesium. Most likely. Not all people do,....but your symptoms are textbook for electrolyte imbalance.

Have some sodium asap, and some potassium if possible and see how you feel. You would notice the effects very quickly.

also re: sports drink. They have miniscule trace amounts of electrolytes....they are not good sources to replenish with at all. Look at the labels, powerade is like 100mg sodium? 24mg potassium. That is not much. I believe the recommended amount per day total dietary is 4700mg per day.

[MsWoods]

Originally Posted by Dr_Jim

IMHO it is not the calories. At that level of calories though, assuming low fat/low or no carb and higher protein, I would refer to your plan as a PSMF. Not simply low carb.

With a gallon of water a day, doing LC, you will lose sodium/potassium & magnesium. Most likely. Not all people do,....but your symptoms are textbook for electrolyte imbalance.

Have some sodium asap, and some potassium if possible and see how you feel. You would notice the effects very quickly.

also re: sports drink. They have miniscule trace amounts of electrolytes....they are not good sources to replenish with at all. Look at the labels, powerade is like 100mg sodium? 24mg potassium. That is not much. I believe the recommended amount per day total dietary is 4700mg per day.

Thanks so much for that post. It confirms what I thought I figured out originally.

I stopped drinking so much water these last few days and now only drink when I'm thirsty. I have added in a few diet sodas (sodium), and have pretty much not had any dizziness or been light headed. I was also not losing weight, but after stopping drinking so much have started losing again. (Not sure if it has anything to do with it).

[Dr_Jim]

Good. Just watch it carefully. Not sure how much water you are drinking,....but in general more is good. Ofcourse within reason. The problem with too much water is that it creates a sodium imbalance,...its not that you have "too much water"...its that you have "too little sodium" in relations to the water in your system.

Either way,...a gallon a day would be nothing in regards to water consumption.
Just watch the sodium AND potassium,...as that balance is responsible for alot!

best

[MsWoods]

That makes sense as I was also trying to cut my sodium way out.