Day 11 and headache :(

tattoomary

Hi all its day 11 and Im 7lb down Iv had a whopper of a headache all day...i took a chicken stock but that didnt do much. My sister gave me a migraine tablet which took care of it for a few hours. However its back I would have thought that id have finished with the 'keto flu' by now ???
Any help ? Hate these type of headaches as nothing works Thanks.

KnitOrMiss

Nope. You're never finished with the chance of the dehydration and headaches that are dubbed "keto flu." Since it is all about electrolytes, which are already in delicate balance, it can return anytime you are low or high on: water/fluid consumption, sodium intake, magnesium intake, potassium intake - as well as any time you reach a new stage of ketosis or fat adaption. That is typically days 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 56, and so on.

Also, since you're nearing two weeks in, it is likely you depleted some store, whether sodium or magnesium that you haven't supplemented with enough during this time. Generally, in the first 12 weeks, most folks need to REPLACE the sodium and magnesium that get dumped with the stored fluid that is held to process carbs. This is generally 5000 mg a day of sodium - and 400 mg a day of magnesium (not oxide). Most folks tend to get enough potassium from foods, but magnesium is massively depleted in nearly all crops and first world countries these days.

There is a fabulous post spelling out all the details on this in our LAUNCHPAD Sticky Post Link.

Good luck!

KnitOrMiss

And remember, those numbers just replace what your body is already dumping...

Sunny_Bunny_

This is exactly why I hate the term keto flu.
It makes it seem like it's only in the beginning and that it'll just pass on its own.
It's symptoms of low sodium. That's all. It's only keto related because of the release of glycogen causing so much water loss.
Anyone can get these symptoms from dehydration or sweating or vomiting but nobody tells you it's "sweaty flu". They tell you you need water and electrolytes. Cuz you lost a bunch.
It ms not unique to start either. 2 years later, if I go too low on salt, I'm feeling it.

swezeytba

I was definitely feeling it over the weekend...Horrible headaches....Upped my salt for a couple of days and feeling so much better....

Just take some straight salt dissolved in some water like a shot if you have to. Then you know exactly how much you are getting.

KnitOrMiss

Just be careful. Using table salt can actually cause dehydration if you're unlucky. In a short pinch, it's okay (like emergency sitatuation)... Otherwise, try to stick to sea salts or other natural forms... Sodium chloride itself isn't always recognized properly by the body.

Edited to add - be careful of quantity. more than 1/2 tsp or so of salt at once can cause you to vomit, get diarrhea, or both. Typically if it is dispersed in food, it's not as bad a reaction, but straight salt...not fun.

Side note, natural salt crystals can be tossed back like swallowing a pill...

sammyliftsandeats

Pickles!

KnitOrMiss

Or Olives or Bouillon broth or salami/salted/cured meats or....the list goes on!

kpk54

Table salt and boullion cubes for me. Common everyday things in most households.

KarlaYP

Pickle juice!