Gnarly headaches...

stephinator92
stephinator92 Posts: 162 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I started going very low carb as of yesterday and I'm making my best effort to cut out added sugar from my diet (prediabetic, so both of those methods should help my health, in theory). Yesterday and today I've had really horrible headaches all day long... could this change in diet have something to do with it?
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Replies

  • LazSommer
    LazSommer Posts: 1,851 Member
    Generally drastic changes in diet give many headaches. Enjoy the next week or so.
  • kd_mazur
    kd_mazur Posts: 569 Member
    Make sure you are eating and drinking enough. Low calories and dehydration can cause headaches. If you are eating and drinking enough, tough it out for a week or so and if it doesn't improve, see your Dr.
  • stephinator92
    stephinator92 Posts: 162 Member
    Will do... my goal is to drink about a gallon of water per day. I was very close yesterday and I've been drinking nonstop today, too. I'm pretty sure I'm eating enough as well... I've just never had headaches like this from eating healthier. It's really rough
  • StacyChrz
    StacyChrz Posts: 865 Member
    Make sure that when you're drinking that much that you're electrolytes are still balanced. You need some salt, potassium, calcium and magnesium. I like Crystal Light Pure drink mixes when I work out fasted or when I'm feeling like my 'lytes' are not right. They are sweetened with just a little sugar and stevia. 15 calories in 1/2 packet mixes with 16 oz of water. You might want to try adding something like this if it fits within your goals.
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    Drinking too much is not healthy either.
  • stephinator92
    stephinator92 Posts: 162 Member
    I thought I was balanced, but maybe I'm not as much as I thought I was. I'll eat something salty and see if that helps. Thanks for the suggestions!!
  • stephinator92
    stephinator92 Posts: 162 Member
    Is a gallon of water too much?
  • musicfan68
    musicfan68 Posts: 1,143 Member
    Actually, for prediabetes, eating a well-balanced diet, exercise and losing weight helps the most. Not cutting out carbs and sugar.

    http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2015/06/23/you-have-prediabetes-now-what

    http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/prediabetes-diagnosis-what-to-do
  • stephinator92
    stephinator92 Posts: 162 Member
    tamicoil1 wrote: »
    Actually, for prediabetes, eating a well-balanced diet, exercise and losing weight helps the most. Not cutting out carbs and sugar.

    http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2015/06/23/you-have-prediabetes-now-what

    http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/prediabetes-diagnosis-what-to-do

    My doctor recommended going low carb and cutting added sugar, not all sugar.
  • SecretWeaponKevin
    SecretWeaponKevin Posts: 85 Member
    Listen to your Dr! I'd keep going, if the headaches don't go away after a few days or get worse, go back to the Dr.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    edited April 2016
    stephinator92 wrote: »
    tamicoil1 wrote: »
    Actually, for prediabetes, eating a well-balanced diet, exercise and losing weight helps the most. Not cutting out carbs and sugar.

    http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2015/06/23/you-have-prediabetes-now-what

    http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/prediabetes-diagnosis-what-to-do

    My doctor recommended going low carb and cutting added sugar, not all sugar.

    What was the grams of carbs goal he/she gave you? Did he/she warn you about "low carb flu"?
  • stephinator92
    stephinator92 Posts: 162 Member
    I wasn't given any specifics other than the guideline of eat low carb and less added sugar. I'm aiming preferably around 100-115g of carbs per day... I figured that would be a decent midline with upped protein and moderate fat. What is low carb flu?
  • StacyChrz
    StacyChrz Posts: 865 Member
    stephinator92 wrote: »
    Is a gallon of water too much?

    I drink more than a gallon of water on most days of the week, but I have been doing that for most of my adult life. If you're new to that much water, along with making other big dietary changes that can lead to increased water loss, you may get headaches or feel other symptoms of electrolyte imbalance.
  • blues4miles
    blues4miles Posts: 1,481 Member
    stephinator92 wrote: »
    tamicoil1 wrote: »
    Actually, for prediabetes, eating a well-balanced diet, exercise and losing weight helps the most. Not cutting out carbs and sugar.

    http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2015/06/23/you-have-prediabetes-now-what

    http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/prediabetes-diagnosis-what-to-do

    My doctor recommended going low carb and cutting added sugar, not all sugar.

    Not questioning your doctor...but doctors tend to recommend low carb because it is something easy for them to recommend, and generally forces people to restrict their calories without really realizing they are and without having to "count" calories. If you are counting calories accurately and eating within you will lose weight. But many people do not want to count calories and will get frustrated that way easily, so your doctor telling you to cut out certain food items can just be a short cut to eating less. Especially if you have a tendency to overindulge in carb-y foods.

    Have you cut out caffeine as a coincidence of cutting carbs by any chance?
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    stephinator92 wrote: »
    I wasn't given any specifics other than the guideline of eat low carb and less added sugar. I'm aiming preferably around 100-115g of carbs per day... I figured that would be a decent midline with upped protein and moderate fat. What is low carb flu?

    I looked at your diary. You may have reduced carbs, but you're not low carb, so something else is going on. Did you also stop drinking beverages that contain caffeine?
  • stephinator92
    stephinator92 Posts: 162 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    stephinator92 wrote: »
    I wasn't given any specifics other than the guideline of eat low carb and less added sugar. I'm aiming preferably around 100-115g of carbs per day... I figured that would be a decent midline with upped protein and moderate fat. What is low carb flu?

    I looked at your diary. You may have reduced carbs, but you're not low carb, so something else is going on. Did you also stop drinking beverages that contain caffeine?

    I drink one cup of coffee a day normally.. Haven't stopped that. I'm really confused and feel so dumb --- is what I'm doing bad with carbs? Can you give me some insight?
  • stephinator92
    stephinator92 Posts: 162 Member
    blues4miles wrote: »
    stephinator92 wrote: »
    tamicoil1 wrote: »
    Actually, for prediabetes, eating a well-balanced diet, exercise and losing weight helps the most. Not cutting out carbs and sugar.

    http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2015/06/23/you-have-prediabetes-now-what

    http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/prediabetes-diagnosis-what-to-do

    My doctor recommended going low carb and cutting added sugar, not all sugar.

    Not questioning your doctor...but doctors tend to recommend low carb because it is something easy for them to recommend, and generally forces people to restrict their calories without really realizing they are and without having to "count" calories. If you are counting calories accurately and eating within you will lose weight. But many people do not want to count calories and will get frustrated that way easily, so your doctor telling you to cut out certain food items can just be a short cut to eating less. Especially if you have a tendency to overindulge in carb-y foods.

    Have you cut out caffeine as a coincidence of cutting carbs by any chance?

    Nope, still drinking a cup of coffee per day
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    stephinator92 wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    stephinator92 wrote: »
    I wasn't given any specifics other than the guideline of eat low carb and less added sugar. I'm aiming preferably around 100-115g of carbs per day... I figured that would be a decent midline with upped protein and moderate fat. What is low carb flu?

    I looked at your diary. You may have reduced carbs, but you're not low carb, so something else is going on. Did you also stop drinking beverages that contain caffeine?

    I drink one cup of coffee a day normally.. Haven't stopped that. I'm really confused and feel so dumb --- is what I'm doing bad with carbs? Can you give me some insight?

    Oh, derp, I was looking at your 138 carbs and thinking that was grams but it is in fact calories. I'm going to let a low carber like @nvmomketo take it from here.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Here's something on low carb flu: http://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/side-effects#inductionflu
  • blues4miles
    blues4miles Posts: 1,481 Member
    And I'll ask the obvious just in case...did your doctor test your Thyroid?
  • Afura
    Afura Posts: 2,054 Member
    stephinator92 wrote: »
    tamicoil1 wrote: »
    Actually, for prediabetes, eating a well-balanced diet, exercise and losing weight helps the most. Not cutting out carbs and sugar.

    http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2015/06/23/you-have-prediabetes-now-what

    http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/prediabetes-diagnosis-what-to-do

    My doctor recommended going low carb and cutting added sugar, not all sugar.

    The irony of this is that I *was* low carb, or fairly so, and I went to the nutritionist when my tests put me into the diabetic range. She told me to up my carbs (but to eat healthy complex carbs), which just kind of blew my mind, and I had a good laugh with my gluten intolerant friend. I upped them a bit, never noticed much of a change when I tested though. I dialed back my sugar intake (I was admittedly out of control eating high sugar foods/drinks), and start exercising along with hopping back on MFP and now I'm down in the pre-diabetic world. When I got that result, my dr told me to keep losing weight, and keep exercising to help keep it under control, no mention of diet at all (she was busy giving me the riot act about not falling off the bandwagon admittedly and may have forgot. I :love: my Dr).
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    stephinator92 wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    stephinator92 wrote: »
    I wasn't given any specifics other than the guideline of eat low carb and less added sugar. I'm aiming preferably around 100-115g of carbs per day... I figured that would be a decent midline with upped protein and moderate fat. What is low carb flu?

    I looked at your diary. You may have reduced carbs, but you're not low carb, so something else is going on. Did you also stop drinking beverages that contain caffeine?

    I drink one cup of coffee a day normally.. Haven't stopped that. I'm really confused and feel so dumb --- is what I'm doing bad with carbs? Can you give me some insight?

    No, what you are doing is exactly right for your situation. Keep up the good work. In your shoes, I would try an extra cup of coffee and perhaps some Excedrin.

    Headaches DO happen for reasons other than dietary changes though--they can be hormonal, they can be triggered by allergies or sinus issues, they can be migraines. I had a brain aneurysm at age 28 myself. If the headache is REALLY bad and lasts for more than a day, it might be worthwhile to see a doctor.
  • stephinator92
    stephinator92 Posts: 162 Member
    blues4miles wrote: »
    And I'll ask the obvious just in case...did your doctor test your Thyroid?

    Fairly certain it was tested within the last 2 years and was normal but I'll have to double check on that
  • stephinator92
    stephinator92 Posts: 162 Member
    azulvioleta6 wrote: »
    stephinator92 wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    stephinator92 wrote: »
    I wasn't given any specifics other than the guideline of eat low carb and less added sugar. I'm aiming preferably around 100-115g of carbs per day... I figured that would be a decent midline with upped protein and moderate fat. What is low carb flu?

    I looked at your diary. You may have reduced carbs, but you're not low carb, so something else is going on. Did you also stop drinking beverages that contain caffeine?

    I drink one cup of coffee a day normally.. Haven't stopped that. I'm really confused and feel so dumb --- is what I'm doing bad with carbs? Can you give me some insight?

    No, what you are doing is exactly right for your situation. Keep up the good work. In your shoes, I would try an extra cup of coffee and perhaps some Excedrin.

    Headaches DO happen for reasons other than dietary changes though--they can be hormonal, they can be triggered by allergies or sinus issues, they can be migraines. I had a brain aneurysm at age 28 myself. If the headache is REALLY bad and lasts for more than a day, it might be worthwhile to see a doctor.

    Thank you!
  • blewbell
    blewbell Posts: 30 Member
    My thyroid is normal but along the borders. I am also 'prediabetic' and am under the same dr's orders as you. I got horrible headaches at first, and migraines with nausea. Started taking a NOW supplement, Thyroid Energy and it has helped. But probably a good Vitamin B supplement would do the trick.
  • toadg53
    toadg53 Posts: 302 Member
    I lost my weight following low carb/high fat & protein. I've been in maintenance now for a year & a half and continue to follow that plan and haven't gained anything back. I looked at your diary and you are totally on point. I continue to eat a lower daily carb total than you, but that's an individual thing. I just don't feel good eating more carbs. If you feel good at these numbers, and are losing, wonderful. Keep it up. But you still need to keep your calories in check, you can't just eat as much as you want. It's WHAT you eat. I have insulin resistance and i suspect that's what your doctor is thinking that for you as well. Especially if he/she brought up the pre-diabetic state. You may want to ask about it. Keep in mind, it has to be a lifestyle change forever, not a "diet". If you lose some weight, then go back to previous eating habits, then it's all for naught. I found the website "authoritynutrition" has a LOT of really good information about low carb. There's also a low carb group here on MFP. Best of luck in your journey.
  • stephinator92
    stephinator92 Posts: 162 Member
    I have been insulin resistant/pre diabetic since I was 11. I'm now 24. I'm just trying to find the best balance for myself. The headache went away after I had a salty dinner so maybe it was the increased water causing it. Thanks everyone!
  • toadg53
    toadg53 Posts: 302 Member
    Oh geez, you'd asked about the headaches. And yes, you definitely can get headaches from the change in eating habits. And if you've now cut sugar or products with sugar out of your diet, that can trigger headaches. You already addressed the caffeine. Just give your body a few days to acclimate to the change in your diet, and you should be ok. Just hang in there.
  • JButlerEagle
    JButlerEagle Posts: 45 Member
    Sugar has been my "drug of choice" and the biggest part of my weight struggles. I would agree that the headaches are an "I miss sugar" reaction. I had about a week of them when I first started reducing my sugar intake. I think it will get better soon... and you'll feel so much better overall.
  • blues4miles
    blues4miles Posts: 1,481 Member
    stephinator92 wrote: »
    blues4miles wrote: »
    And I'll ask the obvious just in case...did your doctor test your Thyroid?

    Fairly certain it was tested within the last 2 years and was normal but I'll have to double check on that

    Make sure to get tested sometime soon, maybe once a year. I have a friend who suffers from low thyroid and while the frustration with not losing weight as fast as she should when she is not properly medicated is one thing, she also gets tired really easily and experiences brain fog when she is not being properly treated. That's the only reason I bring it up.

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