Weird Atkins side-effects (add yours?)

[bizzlekitty]

Maybe it's just me, but have you noticed any other weird Atkins side-effects, not necessarily bad, but definitely different?

One for me has been that I am turning (back?) into a much lighter sleeper since losing weight. When I was younger, I was a fairly light sleeper and easily awoke to noise. I need nearly complete quiet (or just the sound of a fan) to fall asleep.

After gaining alot of weight, I don't think I woke up as easy. But now that I have lost weight, I am finding myself woken up by the slightest noise once again. (I am also on the same meds I always have to help me with sleep due to the fibro).

Of course, I am also somewhat sensitive to sounds and smells and other things because of my fibromyalgia, but it seems like the last 1-2 months, this light sleeping has crept up and started bothering me alot more. Additionally, I started exercising regularly in January, so it's likely that this is related too, but who knows?

Anyone else noticed something similar or have similar oddities since switching to Atkins?

[spydergrl80]

I have actually noticed the same thing with the sleeping (I have Fibro too). I wake up to the slightest noise. We had Jehova's Witnesses sneak into the building this morning, and I was woken up by them just TALKING to my neighbor next door..geez. It really helps with the pain and daytime fatigue though.
The smell thing is KILLING me! It has gotten a lot worse since starting this WOE. My boyfriend is a deisel mechanic, he works his butt off all day fixing busses and semi trucks. Needless to say, he REEKS when he comes home. Like deisel fuel as well as smelly boy smell. I have to make him shower immediately when he gets home because the smell nearly triggers an INSTANT migraine. He always laughs at me for my sensitivity to smells, but he is respectful of my wishes(thank god!). The people that live below us use a lot of hairspray or something in their bathroom and the smell travels up through the ventillation system. Of course, I'm the only one that can smell it, but it makes me want to barf!
The brain fog has also SEVERELY increased, which is really bad for me, since I'm about to be a medical assistant! My reumatologist thinks it's the lack of carbs for brain power. I'm thinking I might take her wisdom to heart, she has never lead me astray.
It's getting so bad that I have considered going off the diet and switching to SB or something like that. I still want to do a lower carb diet cause it helps with my PCOS, but maybe not so low carb that it messes with my illness. I am also condidering just trying to move up the OWL rungs, even though I still have a ton of weight to lose. I allready severely limit my caloric intake on induction (1400 Kcal/day), and I think that's what's helping the losing progress. I believe I would be able to eat even fewer calories in OWL (maybe 1200), and that maybe these problems would go away. I am able to exercise a lot more now that a lot of my pains are gone, so we'll see...I'll keep ya posted! Glad someone else understands!! We need a fibro board on here!!
Hannah

[softnred]

I've got lots of the "normal" ones. But here's one that I hadn't heard of...

Pre-Atkins, I'd get gas when I ate bell peppers. Now that I'm on this WOE, I don't get gas with them anymore.

[OnlyDo]

I thought I was the only one sensitive to smells! It's worse now than when I'm pregnant!

SoftnRed, I can go you one better -- I just don't get gas anymore at all. It's weird. Not that I miss it, mind you.

[spydergrl80]

I thought I was the only one sensitive to smells! It's worse now than when I'm pregnant!

SoftnRed, I can go you one better -- I just don't get gas anymore at all. It's weird. Not that I miss it, mind you.

OMG, when I was pregnant, I had to walk around with a bag of peppermint tea under my nose for the first five months. If I even thought I smelled cigarrette smoke I would hurl. The tea bags really do help, even if you do look silly. I still keep them in my pocket and car for when I have to drive by the oil refinery or a pig farm. Hee hee

[papajack_1]

OK.............this might sound like papa doing his "stand-up routine", but, I Swear, it's the truth! My sex drive is back to levels it hasn't been in decades. Not a bad benefit from "doing Atkins" is it? It would be even better if my wife's sex drive wasn't going in the opposite direction.

[spydergrl80]

OK.............this might sound like papa doing his "stand-up routine", but, I Swear, it's the truth! My sex drive is back to levels it hasn't been in decades. Not a bad benefit from "doing Atkins" is it? It would be even better if my wife's sex drive wasn't going in the opposite direction.

Ha Ha Ha, your posts always make me laugh. Actually, my BF and I are both doing Atkins right now and we have definetely noticed an increased interest in ummm.......extracuricular activities....hee hee. I have heard that fat absorbs sex hormones, maybe that has someting to do with it. Get you wife on the plan!!

[NewfyChic]

Side Effects

Well, This is my first and only attempt at Atkins and I am doing great. Day 15 for me. As for the side-effects, yes I do. Every morning I am EXTREMELY dizzy and light headed. Almost to the point I grab for something so I do not fall down. My sex drive is up, didn't think it went higher than what it was...LOL. No cravings, lack of appetite,constant thirst for water and weirdly alot more energetic.. As you know I do not have the book...oh well. But, am knowledgable in Atkins from this board..Woo-Hoo!!! but the dizziness bothers me. I have a small son (4) and don't wanna faint or pass out ya know... Other than that my cigerette smoking has also diminshed...Yeppers!

[papajack_1]

As you know I do not have the book...oh well. But, am knowledgable in Atkins from this board

Congratulations, NewfyChic to your great start. However, I implore you to get the book, read it, go back and study it..............make it your Bible! It is imperative to understand the science behind this Way of Life. It isn't hard, or deep reading.................easy to understand. Do yourself the biggest favor you can and become fully informed on what "Atkins" is, and what it is not.

[bizzlekitty]

The brain fog has also SEVERELY increased, which is really bad for me, since I'm about to be a medical assistant! My reumatologist thinks it's the lack of carbs for brain power. I'm thinking I might take her wisdom to heart, she has never lead me astray.
It's getting so bad that I have considered going off the diet and switching to SB or something like that. I still want to do a lower carb diet cause it helps with my PCOS, but maybe not so low carb that it messes with my illness. I am also condidering just trying to move up the OWL rungs, even though I still have a ton of weight to lose. I allready severely limit my caloric intake on induction (1400 Kcal/day), and I think that's what's helping the losing progress. I believe I would be able to eat even fewer calories in OWL (maybe 1200), and that maybe these problems would go away. I am able to exercise a lot more now that a lot of my pains are gone, so we'll see...I'll keep ya posted! Glad someone else understands!! We need a fibro board on here!!
Hannah

I have had alot of success by taking alot of supplements that help not just with fibro, but losing weight as well. I take Malic Acid, Calcium/Magnesium, B Complex, L-Carnitine, CoQ10 and Chromium Pincolate. I know, alot of "pills" to take, but I found that these do help. I also take Synthroid, Trazadone and Melatonin, in addition to a daily multi, and occasionally some pain meds when the pain is really bad.

I've had someone ask me what is so different with fibro in regards to the sensitivity, and I basicallly describe it like someone is running there fingernails down a chalkboard but in regards to sound or smell. It's like someone is strumming an annoying nerve. I never had this type of sensitivity prior to developing full-fledged sensitivity. It's not all the time either, but especially worse on bad days. It's like all your senses are on overload.

I also find my sense of smell returning, where I thought I'd lost it, since losing weight. I still can't smell everything very well, but certain smells (cigarette smoke, certain foods, chemicals) really get to me. Sometimes this is an advantage (like when cleaning the kitty litter!), but I also have
trouble smelling things like flowers sometimes

As for sex drive, um yeah (embarassed look). Unfortunately, I do not have anyone to take advantage of this with lately (bleh).

Another strange (?) effect... I'm colder more often and easier, probably from losing that layer of fat keeping me warm. I'm also sensitive to heat/cold with fibro, but I've been more cold lately than warm.

[mere150]

ok, so I did something last night that made me think of this thread.


I was lying on my back playing with the dog. I realized my feet were over my head and i wasn't even trying to lift my legs. So, with the maturity of a 6 year old I rolled on my back all the way over. (toe to head).

My sister thought it was the stupidest news ever, but it's something I haven't done since junior high. Everyone can roll over on their sides, but who can go from bottom to top (didn't use my hands either).

[Deflating Diva]

I can run after my puppy and even scoop him up without grunting like a troll.
Sex is much Better or maybe I am more confident.
I am more alert and not needing to lay on the couch at 3:00PM for a nap before DH gets home.
No acid reflux or night time heartburn!
No Snoring!
I am still really fat but I feel healthier and more buff?
Deflating Diva

[chubbychick]

Re: Side Effects

Every morning I am EXTREMELY dizzy and light headed. Almost to the point I grab for something so I do not fall down.

This doesn't sound like a good side-effect and you should look into what is going on. That said, I get a lot more of those light-head rushes when I stand up quickly, but I think now I am ABLE to stand up quickly instead of slowly.

I've lost 95% of my migraines too. And DH says I no longer snore.

[somersetlara]

Papajack: love your contribution! Who says food doesn't affect your mood? I have a Katie Melua song running through my head: "I don't buy it, I don't believe my diet turns me on"! (She actually manages to get 'buy it' and 'diet' to rhyme - a triumph of musical timing). Personally, I think food, mood, body image and psychological well-being are all inextricably linked.

Does an increased sex drive count as wierd though? No, not in my book - just great!

Lara

[ArcadiaX]

Just finished 14-day induction. Haven't had a headache or migraine in all that time. I'm a happy camper.

And because of the need for less sleep, I've managed to get 90% of the laundry done. My arms are now tired from hefting 2 loads of towels down to the apartment laundry room.

Sex drive? Uh huh