Serious health concern

TattooedFreak · 01-05-2009, 11:13 AM

For the second time since I started eating low carb I had something alarming happen to me. I would feel the urge to go number 2( sorry trying to be polite lol) And i would go sit on the toilet and i would have a lot of cramping. Meanwhile i would start getting dizzy my legs and arms would start to go numb and tingle and i would start to sweat. Both times I have to get some kind of sugar in me and after a few mins I start getting better. Then after I start getting really cold. I have a doc appointment today but has this happened to anyone? I only had a cheese omelette this morning. Should I maybe add a little fruit to my daily food intake? My mom thinks it's hypogylcemia but my husband thinks its my blood pressure since it was triggered when I was sitting on the toilet and I had diahreah. Any advice would be great. Thanks everyone!

Cuelgirl · 01-05-2009, 11:19 AM

i have not experienced this exact situation... i have, however, had numb legs... and i felt really sick... it only happened once or twice and wasnt too alarming to me... please share back with what what your doc says!

bpowell77 · 01-05-2009, 11:28 AM

I have had that happen to me but Im diabetic so u may need fruit

KayeJH · 01-05-2009, 11:33 AM

Really does sound like blood sugar issues. I know some of the symptoms can be scary, but it shouldn't be anything too serious. I really think you are on the right track to go low carb, because you are probably very sensitive to the changes carbs bring to your entire system.

I know that when I eat carbs I always have digestive problems, always. And, when I eat only carbs with no protein - wow - I get the shakes, dizziness, etc. like you wouldn't believe. I have to eat something NOW to feel normal. I think that if your body is telling you need sugar that it is definitely a blood sugar problem.

Be sure to report all of these symptoms to your doctor, but try not to worry that something terrible is going on.

TattooedFreak · 01-05-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpowell77

I have had that happen to me but Im diabetic so u may need fruit

Yeah my mom is diabetic so she has had it happen to her but I have been tested for diabetes and i am not so I am not sure whats going on. It's not the first time it has happened. It happened a few times to me growing up and once when i was pregnant with my youngest child so who knows

TattooedFreak · 01-05-2009, 11:36 AM

Has anyone done low carb with a little added fruit? Like maybe an apple a day in the am? Everyone keeps saying " its the diet your on your gonna kill yourself". I don't want to go off low carb but it is really scary when that happens.

Gracie514 · 01-05-2009, 11:44 AM

Are you getting enough water in? Sometimes dehydration can cause these issues.

Tiffany2288 · 01-05-2009, 11:47 AM

What have you eaten on the days its happened?

It could be hypoglycemia or reactive hypoglycemia.

lowcarbstuff · 01-05-2009, 11:51 AM

I don't think you are supposed to do induction if you are diabetic and on atkins. What did your doctor say?? Maybe you should go on a different lc diet, one where you don't go into ketosis?

pocahontas · 01-05-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TattooedFreak

Has anyone done low carb with a little added fruit? Like maybe an apple a day in the am? Everyone keeps saying " its the diet your on your gonna kill yourself". I don't want to go off low carb but it is really scary when that happens.

Are you moving up the ladder as outlined in the book? You should be able to add in berries soon. Please keep us posted.

TattooedFreak · 01-05-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gracie514

Are you getting enough water in? Sometimes dehydration can cause these issues.

Yes all I drink is water so I don't think that is the problem.

TattooedFreak · 01-05-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiffany2288

What have you eaten on the days its happened?

It could be hypoglycemia or reactive hypoglycemia.

It usually happens late morning after I eat like just eggs for breakfast.

TattooedFreak · 01-05-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowcarbstuff

I don't think you are supposed to do induction if you are diabetic and on atkins. What did your doctor say?? Maybe you should go on a different lc diet, one where you don't go into ketosis?

Im not diabetic.

TattooedFreak · 01-05-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pocahontas

Are you moving up the ladder as outlined in the book? You should be able to add in berries soon. Please keep us posted.

I am so afraid to move up the ladder for fear of stalling. I added some nuts but I have a portion control issue with those

I also added some other things but fruit or sugar for that matter scares me.

lisabinil · 01-05-2009, 12:14 PM

Reactive hypoglycemia: What causes it? - MayoClinic.com

It happens to me and I am not diabetic. Dr. A wrote there is no reason to feel ill while doing Atkins-he advised adding some healthy carbs to your diet. I believe it is in the chapter on Induction.

ardawn · 01-05-2009, 12:32 PM

I feel lousy if I don't get enough carbs from green veggies while on induction.I don't go too low in carbs anyway becasue I am hypothyroid,but prior to my DX,I remember feeling as you described while low carbing,and I chalked it up to low blood sugar. During an episode once, I figured out that if I ate some berries w/ a piece of cheese,I felt better.But,of course, everyone is different. My body was ready to climb that carb ladder.

Strawberry · 01-05-2009, 12:39 PM

Its not hypoglycemia.... this is a vaso-vagal reaction from the bearing down maneuver (valsalva) while on the toilet. Its causing your blood pressure to go low.
The symptoms do mimic those of hypoglycemia.

Jayelgee · 01-05-2009, 12:47 PM

I'm not afraid of fruits and veggies. Now I don't sit down and eat a pound of grapes or anything like that, but I will have an apple or a handfull of berries. Also I eat a butt-ton of veggies: Cauliflower, Onions, Tomatoes, Okra, Cabbage, Broccoli, Squash, etc. And I also occasionally have beans and sometimes even carrots and corn.

I simply feel like crap when I do induction. I need a higher amount of veggies than what is allowed therefore I stay on induction until the cravings are gone and I promptly move up the ladder.

And no, I don't lose 6 lbs a week. It's more like 3-4 lbs a month but I'm healthy and I feel fantastic!

Certainly talk to your doctor but I bet some more veggies in your diet would help out. Also, make sure you're eating frequently. My bloodsugar drops when I need to eat. I get shaky and dizzy. I eat 4-6 times a day - grazing.

HTH

dointhis4me · 01-05-2009, 12:47 PM

I've had this happen to me many, many times since I was young. Only time I dont have it happen is when I LC. I ate cake on Christmas Eve and had an eposide then. It is a horrible feeling, hope you feel better soon!

SashimiMark · 01-05-2009, 01:09 PM

This has never happened to me. But I eat at least half an apple every day. Once or twice a week, I end up having 1.5 apples in a day.

smudgepot · 01-05-2009, 02:07 PM

I have experienced this and it seems to be a blood sugar issue. Often when my blood sugar drops radically I experience exactly the same symptoms. Cramping, hot and cold sweats, feeling faint and nauseated etc.

Let us know what the doc says?

belfrybat · 01-05-2009, 02:40 PM

As someone already said, if it happens only when you are on the toilet bearing down, it could be a reaction from the valsalva movement. I have tacchycardia and I use that movement to stop my rapid heartbeat. It sometimes leaves me a bit light-headed. Or as some have said it could be hypoglycemia. Why don't you try adding a small glass of V-8 at breakfast or some veggies in your omelette? A half apple or orange or a small handful of berries won't hurt you either. Stay at around 10 ECC to see the affect, then move a bit higher if needed.

I am diabetic, but find I can eat a half orange or apple, or a small handful of berries without problems as long as I also eat protein and fats at the same time.

sweetdreams · 01-05-2009, 05:42 PM

Hope it doesn't happen again.. but if it did it would be great to have a blood sugar meter to check your Bloodsugar. I had hypoglycemic events by going too low carb... I checked my blood sugar and was low.. can't remember the exact number like 57ish... I ate some berries and felt much better. Now I won't go low low carb again. It was scary!

TattooedFreak · 01-05-2009, 05:54 PM

Update:

Went to the doctor told him everything. First off he was very impressed by my weightloss and is not against the atkins diet. He would like me to add maybe an apple a day and maybe some carrotts to it. He said since I lost the bulk of the weight I want to lose that I should try this and see if I have anymore problems. Thanks everyone for your concern and advise.

FloridaShell · 01-05-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TattooedFreak

Has anyone done low carb with a little added fruit? Like maybe an apple a day in the am? Everyone keeps saying " its the diet your on your gonna kill yourself". I don't want to go off low carb but it is really scary when that happens.

I eat apples every day.
Today I had a grapefruit.
Get some fruit & eat it.

VanjaJames · 01-05-2009, 11:03 PM

I think its possible its diverticulitis - if you are eating any foods your body is having trouble digesting, i.e. any sharp foods or heavy grains or seeds, they can get "stuck" in your system and then you might experience some of the symptoms you mentioned - what helps is actually a low residue diet which means lower in fiber, and high fat. So think meats, cheeses, but nothing crunchy or grainy for a while..Or try yogurt (i.e. fage yogurt.)

It could also be an ulcer, which is a hole in the lining of your stomach and would give you terrible pain when you diget food. Digestive enzymes (whole foods makes a good one) and probiotics would be helpful for that.

I had it happen once but I actually started to reach for the phone in case I died. Really.

junkfoodmonkey · 01-06-2009, 01:59 AM

Definitely don't be afraid to move up the carb ladder. If Induction was the only way to lose weight then Induction would be the whole of the diet.

Experiment with different fruits if you and your doctor want to add fruit. I personally can eat an apple without having any problems, but melon, which should theoretically come before apples on the ladder, makes me starving hungry. If you have portion control problems then something like an apple or a peach could be better say than berries where you can so easily go "oh just a few more..." Once you've had your apple, or peach, it's gone, it's done for the day.

jem51 · 01-06-2009, 10:31 AM

sounds like a vagal resonse. my sis had this when we were growing up and would pass out on her way to the bathroom. i had it in my twenties for a few years. for both of us it just disappeared. when bearing (voluntarily or not) this can drop your blood pressure. when you have this feeling, bend your upper half forword so the blood is more easily moved upward. this is not hypoglycemia.

bdladie · 01-06-2009, 10:41 AM

I have this problem and found out I have severe insulin resistance and sugar would go to low. I have added some fruit (apple, grapefruit) no problems so far.

PM me if you want more ideas on how to keep sugar even with insulin resistance it sounds like that is what you have.

Tania

CourtneyC · 01-06-2009, 10:44 AM

Hi. I"m sorry to hear you are having problems. I know for myself, whenever I re-induct, I always have bathroom issues such as yours. The only time I experience dizziness and feelings of nausea or vomiting is when I don't eat enough. I hope your doctor is able to help you. Maybe you need to incorporate more "healthy" carbs such as veggie's!

01-05-2009, 11:13 AM	#1
TattooedFreak Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 615 Gallery: TattooedFreak Stats: 22-24/14 /12 -73 WOE: Atkins OWL Start Date: October 15th 2008	Serious health concern For the second time since I started eating low carb I had something alarming happen to me. I would feel the urge to go number 2( sorry trying to be polite lol) And i would go sit on the toilet and i would have a lot of cramping. Meanwhile i would start getting dizzy my legs and arms would start to go numb and tingle and i would start to sweat. Both times I have to get some kind of sugar in me and after a few mins I start getting better. Then after I start getting really cold. I have a doc appointment today but has this happened to anyone? I only had a cheese omelette this morning. Should I maybe add a little fruit to my daily food intake? My mom thinks it's hypogylcemia but my husband thinks its my blood pressure since it was triggered when I was sitting on the toilet and I had diahreah. Any advice would be great. Thanks everyone! __________________ Down 73! R.I.P Dr. Atkins I owe you everything! http://tattooed-freak.blogspot.com Last edited by TattooedFreak; 01-05-2009 at 11:14 AM..

01-05-2009, 11:33 AM	#4
KayeJH Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 251 Gallery: KayeJH WOE: Atkins	Really does sound like blood sugar issues. I know some of the symptoms can be scary, but it shouldn't be anything too serious. I really think you are on the right track to go low carb, because you are probably very sensitive to the changes carbs bring to your entire system. I know that when I eat carbs I always have digestive problems, always. And, when I eat only carbs with no protein - wow - I get the shakes, dizziness, etc. like you wouldn't believe. I have to eat something NOW to feel normal. I think that if your body is telling you need sugar that it is definitely a blood sugar problem. Be sure to report all of these symptoms to your doctor, but try not to worry that something terrible is going on. __________________ [COLOR=blue]"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss[/COLOR]

01-05-2009, 02:40 PM	#22
belfrybat Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 358 Gallery: belfrybat Stats: Maintaining a 65# loss WOE: Protein Power maintenance Start Date: June 2005 (restart)	As someone already said, if it happens only when you are on the toilet bearing down, it could be a reaction from the valsalva movement. I have tacchycardia and I use that movement to stop my rapid heartbeat. It sometimes leaves me a bit light-headed. Or as some have said it could be hypoglycemia. Why don't you try adding a small glass of V-8 at breakfast or some veggies in your omelette? A half apple or orange or a small handful of berries won't hurt you either. Stay at around 10 ECC to see the affect, then move a bit higher if needed. I am diabetic, but find I can eat a half orange or apple, or a small handful of berries without problems as long as I also eat protein and fats at the same time. __________________ ---------------------------------- Brigit-Carol

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01-05-2009, 11:19 AM	#2
Cuelgirl MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,287 Gallery: Cuelgirl Stats: highest 245, restart 11/3/2009 233/227/130 WOE: atkins	i have not experienced this exact situation... i have, however, had numb legs... and i felt really sick... it only happened once or twice and wasnt too alarming to me... please share back with what what your doc says!

01-05-2009, 11:28 AM	#3
bpowell77 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 20 Gallery: bpowell77	I have had that happen to me but Im diabetic so u may need fruit

01-05-2009, 11:36 AM	#6
TattooedFreak Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 615 Gallery: TattooedFreak Stats: 22-24/14 /12 -73 WOE: Atkins OWL Start Date: October 15th 2008	Has anyone done low carb with a little added fruit? Like maybe an apple a day in the am? Everyone keeps saying " its the diet your on your gonna kill yourself". I don't want to go off low carb but it is really scary when that happens.

01-05-2009, 11:44 AM	#7
Gracie514 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,906 Gallery: Gracie514 Stats: 227/198.2/170 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 8/4/09	Are you getting enough water in? Sometimes dehydration can cause these issues.

01-05-2009, 11:47 AM	#8
Tiffany2288 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NYC/NJ Posts: 1,910 Gallery: Tiffany2288 Stats: 149/127/120 5'4 WOE: Atkins 72 BMI was 28.8% now is 22% Start Date: Aug 15th 2008	What have you eaten on the days its happened? It could be hypoglycemia or reactive hypoglycemia.

01-05-2009, 11:51 AM	#9
lowcarbstuff Junior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 20 Gallery: lowcarbstuff Stats: 172.7 WOE: Atkins Start Date: October 20, 2008	I don't think you are supposed to do induction if you are diabetic and on atkins. What did your doctor say?? Maybe you should go on a different lc diet, one where you don't go into ketosis?

01-05-2009, 12:14 PM	#15
lisabinil Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: suburbs of Chicago Posts: 10,754 Gallery: lisabinil Stats: 214/194/180 287 in 00 WOE: Lc for optimum health Start Date: SBD 3/5/07,Atkins 4/18/07	Reactive hypoglycemia: What causes it? - MayoClinic.com It happens to me and I am not diabetic. Dr. A wrote there is no reason to feel ill while doing Atkins-he advised adding some healthy carbs to your diet. I believe it is in the chapter on Induction.

01-05-2009, 12:32 PM	#16
ardawn Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 931 Gallery: ardawn Stats: 5'6,goal weight 130 WOE: Atkins Start Date: starting anew each day	I feel lousy if I don't get enough carbs from green veggies while on induction.I don't go too low in carbs anyway becasue I am hypothyroid,but prior to my DX,I remember feeling as you described while low carbing,and I chalked it up to low blood sugar. During an episode once, I figured out that if I ate some berries w/ a piece of cheese,I felt better.But,of course, everyone is different. My body was ready to climb that carb ladder.

01-05-2009, 12:39 PM	#17
Strawberry MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,053 Gallery: Strawberry	Its not hypoglycemia.... this is a vaso-vagal reaction from the bearing down maneuver (valsalva) while on the toilet. Its causing your blood pressure to go low. The symptoms do mimic those of hypoglycemia.

01-05-2009, 12:47 PM	#18
Jayelgee MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ft Worth Posts: 1,104 Gallery: Jayelgee Stats: 187/184/145 WOE: LC Start Date: 7/3/2007	I'm not afraid of fruits and veggies. Now I don't sit down and eat a pound of grapes or anything like that, but I will have an apple or a handfull of berries. Also I eat a butt-ton of veggies: Cauliflower, Onions, Tomatoes, Okra, Cabbage, Broccoli, Squash, etc. And I also occasionally have beans and sometimes even carrots and corn. I simply feel like crap when I do induction. I need a higher amount of veggies than what is allowed therefore I stay on induction until the cravings are gone and I promptly move up the ladder. And no, I don't lose 6 lbs a week. It's more like 3-4 lbs a month but I'm healthy and I feel fantastic! Certainly talk to your doctor but I bet some more veggies in your diet would help out. Also, make sure you're eating frequently. My bloodsugar drops when I need to eat. I get shaky and dizzy. I eat 4-6 times a day - grazing. HTH

01-05-2009, 12:47 PM	#19
dointhis4me MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 2,687 Gallery: dointhis4me Stats: 246/157..restarting 11/18/09--173/166/150 WOE: Atkins-ish Start Date: 4/4/07-5'6", 31 y.o.	I've had this happen to me many, many times since I was young. Only time I dont have it happen is when I LC. I ate cake on Christmas Eve and had an eposide then. It is a horrible feeling, hope you feel better soon!

01-05-2009, 01:09 PM	#20
SashimiMark MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Worcester, MA Posts: 2,704 Gallery: SashimiMark Stats: in love with myself WOE: organic whole foods with lots of fat Start Date: January 2008	This has never happened to me. But I eat at least half an apple every day. Once or twice a week, I end up having 1.5 apples in a day.

01-05-2009, 02:07 PM	#21
smudgepot Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 337 Gallery: smudgepot Stats: 130/120/110 WOE: Low Carb/Healthy Choices Start Date: September 2008	I have experienced this and it seems to be a blood sugar issue. Often when my blood sugar drops radically I experience exactly the same symptoms. Cramping, hot and cold sweats, feeling faint and nauseated etc. Let us know what the doc says?

01-05-2009, 05:42 PM	#23
sweetdreams Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 267 Gallery: sweetdreams	Hope it doesn't happen again.. but if it did it would be great to have a blood sugar meter to check your Bloodsugar. I had hypoglycemic events by going too low carb... I checked my blood sugar and was low.. can't remember the exact number like 57ish... I ate some berries and felt much better. Now I won't go low low carb again. It was scary!

01-05-2009, 05:54 PM	#24
TattooedFreak Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 615 Gallery: TattooedFreak Stats: 22-24/14 /12 -73 WOE: Atkins OWL Start Date: October 15th 2008	Update: Went to the doctor told him everything. First off he was very impressed by my weightloss and is not against the atkins diet. He would like me to add maybe an apple a day and maybe some carrotts to it. He said since I lost the bulk of the weight I want to lose that I should try this and see if I have anymore problems. Thanks everyone for your concern and advise.

01-05-2009, 11:03 PM	#26
VanjaJames Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 577 Gallery: VanjaJames Stats: 150/130/125 5'5'' WOE: Spartan Diet, MEVY/Candida diet Start Date: 10/2008	I think its possible its diverticulitis - if you are eating any foods your body is having trouble digesting, i.e. any sharp foods or heavy grains or seeds, they can get "stuck" in your system and then you might experience some of the symptoms you mentioned - what helps is actually a low residue diet which means lower in fiber, and high fat. So think meats, cheeses, but nothing crunchy or grainy for a while..Or try yogurt (i.e. fage yogurt.) It could also be an ulcer, which is a hole in the lining of your stomach and would give you terrible pain when you diget food. Digestive enzymes (whole foods makes a good one) and probiotics would be helpful for that. I had it happen once but I actually started to reach for the phone in case I died. Really.

01-06-2009, 01:59 AM	#27
junkfoodmonkey Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 4,019 Blog Entries: 51 Gallery: junkfoodmonkey Stats: Start: 242 Now:150 WOE: Atkins Maintenance Start Date: Nov 2003	Definitely don't be afraid to move up the carb ladder. If Induction was the only way to lose weight then Induction would be the whole of the diet. Experiment with different fruits if you and your doctor want to add fruit. I personally can eat an apple without having any problems, but melon, which should theoretically come before apples on the ladder, makes me starving hungry. If you have portion control problems then something like an apple or a peach could be better say than berries where you can so easily go "oh just a few more..." Once you've had your apple, or peach, it's gone, it's done for the day.

01-06-2009, 10:31 AM	#28
jem51 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: south central OR Posts: 2,452 Gallery: jem51 Stats: oh so happy at 120 WOE: EFGT Start Date: controlled carb '97-98	sounds like a vagal resonse. my sis had this when we were growing up and would pass out on her way to the bathroom. i had it in my twenties for a few years. for both of us it just disappeared. when bearing (voluntarily or not) this can drop your blood pressure. when you have this feeling, bend your upper half forword so the blood is more easily moved upward. this is not hypoglycemia.

01-06-2009, 10:41 AM	#29
bdladie MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 1,319 Gallery: bdladie Stats: 311/156/150 for now WOE: South Beach kind of Start Date: 1/16/06	I have this problem and found out I have severe insulin resistance and sugar would go to low. I have added some fruit (apple, grapefruit) no problems so far. PM me if you want more ideas on how to keep sugar even with insulin resistance it sounds like that is what you have. Tania

01-06-2009, 10:44 AM	#30
CourtneyC Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mokena, IL Posts: 691 Blog Entries: 4 Gallery: CourtneyC Stats: 388/342/150 WOE: Atkins Start Date: RYN Surgery 10/5/09	Hi. I"m sorry to hear you are having problems. I know for myself, whenever I re-induct, I always have bathroom issues such as yours. The only time I experience dizziness and feelings of nausea or vomiting is when I don't eat enough. I hope your doctor is able to help you. Maybe you need to incorporate more "healthy" carbs such as veggie's!