Headaches? Soreness?

Panda_Poptarts
Panda_Poptarts Posts: 971 Member
edited February 2016 in Social Groups
Hi there-

Not feeling so hot today. I have my first headache since delving into the low-carb world (that's a long time for me without a headache) and my back and hips are aching since yesterday, despite not hurting myself. A heating pad and ibuprofen (the usual fix) is worthless.

I'm not sure if this is lady related, or the low-carb flu people talk about. Thoughts?!

Replies

  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    If you haven't increased your electrolytes my guess would be low carb flu (aka. electrolyte imbalance). Sodium is often best between 3000-5000 mg per day. Drinking bullion, salting your food, adding a teaspoon of salt to a glass of water, or taking salt tablets may help.

    I know it seems like a lot but it really does help.

    When salt goes low, magnesium and potassium usually follows. You may want to supplement these too as well.

    Hope you feel better soon.
  • Panda_Poptarts
    Panda_Poptarts Posts: 971 Member
    nvmomketo wrote: »

    When salt goes low, magnesium and potassium usually follows. You may want to supplement these too as well.

    I've started drinking some bone broth with a good bit of salt. That's yummy. I know my magnesium and potassium are both low, so I will need to supplement those. Just waiting on a paycheck! In the meantime, more salt might help? How long until I feel better if it's a salt issue?
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    nvmomketo wrote: »

    When salt goes low, magnesium and potassium usually follows. You may want to supplement these too as well.

    I've started drinking some bone broth with a good bit of salt. That's yummy. I know my magnesium and potassium are both low, so I will need to supplement those. Just waiting on a paycheck! In the meantime, more salt might help? How long until I feel better if it's a salt issue?

    Do you have any Epsom salt around. Soak your feet or take a bath in it to get magnesium too. But you have to have the right amount for the amount of water you're using.
  • Panda_Poptarts
    Panda_Poptarts Posts: 971 Member

    Do you have any Epsom salt around. Soak your feet or take a bath in it to get magnesium too. But you have to have the right amount for the amount of water you're using.

    I don't, unfortunately. But I can certainly buy some!
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member

    Do you have any Epsom salt around. Soak your feet or take a bath in it to get magnesium too. But you have to have the right amount for the amount of water you're using.

    I don't, unfortunately. But I can certainly buy some!

    Dang. I thought it might be a quick fix until you can get supplements.
  • zyxy55
    zyxy55 Posts: 46 Member
    You can get potassium relatively cheaply in the form of a salt substitute from your grocery store. Salt substitutes contains potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride. Hope you feel better soon!
  • camtosh
    camtosh Posts: 898 Member
    ^^ this, I use Morton's Lite salt. Put a tsp or less, to taste, in a mug of warm water and sip it.
  • Panda_Poptarts
    Panda_Poptarts Posts: 971 Member
    Thanks folks!! I found potassium supplements at walmart for $3. Hooray for sales :smiley: I've also seriously upped my sodium, and the soreness is gone.
  • auntstephie321
    auntstephie321 Posts: 3,586 Member
    Glad you're feeling better. Magnesium helps me a ton with muscle aches, without it I regularly get spasms in my neck and shoulders.