Headaches on atkins

[HomerRulez]

Hi, Ive just started atkins phase 1 3 weeks ago. I have yet to last a single week. I went each time 2 or 3 days and then I started having serious headaches. It went away the next day and I tried again. Same thing. Its been happening for 3 weeks now. Ive followed induction to the T. What do I do?

My diet has mostly been shrimp steamed, broccoli steams, chicken cutlet grilled in my home, whole eggs and egg whites, american cheese (3 slices/day), lettuce, 1/2 tabelspoon cream cheese, olive oil/butter (1 serving), burger king patties by themselves (no ketchup) and thats it

Im getting between 15 and 20 net carbs. Im writing this as Im having the headache. Its really bad enough that its making it tougher to continue.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Headaches on atkins

Did you also cut out caffeine?

It doesn't seem as if you're eating enough vegetables.

How much water are you getting?

[HomerRulez]

Re: Headaches on atkins

Did you also cut out caffeine?

It doesn't seem as if you're eating enough vegetables.

How much water are you getting?

Im not a coffee drinker. I have had 10 cups of coffee my entire life or maybe less

5 .5L bottles of poland sprint a day

Im not sure what enough vegetables would be. I have just enough lettuce and broccoli to get about 12-15 net carbs. Ive went over and over at the allowed list and cant find anything Im eating to cause it.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Headaches on atkins

You need a minimum of 64 ounces of water per day ... and more doesn't hurt. So if I've done my math correctly, it's not lack of water.

DANDR says to eat 2 cups of vegetables from the first list and one cup from the other list. If you're just having 2 cups of lettuce, maybe you want to have less lettuce and more of the other first list vegetables.

The headache could just be your body detoxing, and you have to get through it. Have you not taken any pain relievers?

Were you drinking soda or anything with caffeine that you stopped drinking?

[Jules1980]

Re: Headaches on atkins

I get these headaches also!
Im guessing it might be from my much needed coffee that I have in the morning!

[Georgiana]

Re: Headaches on atkins

How much fat have you been eating?

How many calories?

[H20baby]

Re: Headaches on atkins

As you start Atkins, some experience headaches, tummy trouble etc. Usually by day 4, 5, or 6 the symptoms go away.

Are you prone to headaches/migraines already? It doesn't look like you are eating enough food/fats in general and veggies in particular. Also are you taking the supplements Atkins recommends?

It seems to me that when the headache starts you stop your new eating pattern and you never get over the hump. So each time you restart you experience the same symptoms-headaches.

When you start again be prepared. Flush out your system with copious amounts of water, take some Tylenol or Motrin for the discomfort, take a walk exaggerating your arm swing to loosen up the muscles in your shoulders and neck. Stretch and ice the base of the skull to alleviate your symptoms.

Good luck
TTFN
Melody

[poobears1972]

Re: Headaches on atkins

I feel ya, this WOE always triggers migraines when I start. I just take excederin, yes I know it has caffeine but it's the only think that works on my migraines and if you have them take what works.

Take the meds as long as you need them. Sometime I might have one daily for a week or two then I may not have one for a month. No reason to suffer with them.

You'll find it's so much easier to stick to plan when you aren't in pain.

[Zarabelle]

Re: Headaches on atkins

I echo what the others have said. It is probably a detox headache and boy, they are bad! If you can just get thru it (with some pain meds), you will get over the headache and be fine. I had a thumping headache in the first week. Just drank lots of water, took pain meds and rested and now feel great. x

[JaxMama]

Re: Headaches on atkins

I got headaches almost daily the first few weeks even after moving to OWL. I had extra pain reliever on hand. I believe it's from the detox also. Make sure you are drinking atleast 100 oz a day.

[desire34waist]

Re: Headaches on atkins

I was just exploring the Aktins Diet Program Website last night and read this. I have cut and pasted it so these are the exact words:

How do I avoid fatigue and weakness on Atkins?

When you begin Induction, it takes a few weeks for your body to adjust to burning primarily fat instead of primarily glucose (sugar) for energy. In this transition period, you might encounter a few symptoms. The most common are headaches, dizziness, weakness, fatigue—sometimes referred to as Atkins flu—leg cramps and constipation.
Fortunately, all are pretty easy to avoid. Consuming carbohydrates makes you retain water, but shifting over to fat burning has a diuretic effect, meaning you excrete electrolytes and salt along with fluid.
Tip: If you take diuretic medication for hypertension or other health issues, don't follow this clear soup regimen until your doctor has told you that you no longer need to take your diuretic medication. Instead, consume the recommended amounts of water, increase your intake of leafy greens and/or add some nuts or even half a cup of tomato juice until you feel better.
If you used to feel bloated and no longer do, that's a good thing. Or if you have high blood pressure, your numbers come down nicely in the first few days or weeks. But for many of the rest of us, fluid loss can be too much of a good thing. To manage this problem, simply drink plenty of water and a couple of cups of clear soup (not the low-sodium kind) each day—one mid-morning, one mid-afternoon. Follow this regimen from Day 1, and headaches, dizziness, fatigue and other problematic symptoms should not be a problem.
And no, this does not make Atkins a high-salt diet. Also, give your body the benefit of two to three weeks to adjust before pushing the exercise envelope.

I just started this diet a few days ago and have been experiencing headaches also. I take some Ibprofin and spending some time outside in the fresh air seems to help a lot. I also drink lots of water, but unfornately even though I know it probably is helping my body it doesn't relieve the headache symptoms. You have to keep drinking it though. Water is so important in aiding the fat burning process! Good Luck!

[HomerRulez]

Re: Headaches on atkins

Thanks for all your help everyone and Im sorry for the lack of update. I've decided to give this a go one last time and will take pain meds to help with the headaches. If that doesnt work than I'll visit a doctor to see if its a detox thing or something a little more serious. I really think this can be the right diet for me but need to get this thing going.

I might try something new. Maybe add a new meal to my diet with more fat/protein involved.