Keto pain

99clementines
99clementines Posts: 1 Member
edited November 23 in Health and Weight Loss
My chiropractor suggested that not cycling in and out of keto can wreak havoc on the body. I have insane chest, neck, and back pain. When the urine strips are dark purp.. the pain is greater.
I stretch, though I'm so exhausted I can't workout like I used to. Walking is all I can handle. I'm fatigued. Has anyone been through this?

Replies

  • youngmomtaz
    youngmomtaz Posts: 1,075 Member
    Getting enough salt/potassium/magnesium?? I don’t have experience with pain while Keto but I mention those because you reference fatigue. How long have you been Keto??
  • sgtx81
    sgtx81 Posts: 466 Member
    Dark purple? You want your ketones to be moderate, maybe around 4. Above that, you may need to increase your carbs or reduce exercise. You need to keep a close eye on your electrolytes too. If you made your diary public ppl might be able to be of more help.
  • Jigglypuff00
    Jigglypuff00 Posts: 267 Member
    If the urine strips are dark purple, that means you could be dehydrated. Up your water intake and watch your electrolytes. You may need more sodium. If your carbs are extremely low, and you aren't drinking enough water or taking in enough sodium, your electrolytes are depleting. That can be very dangerous over a long period of time.

    I agree with others...you may have to up your carbs. You can still eat low carb, but have higher amounts. I've gone up to 50 grams and have remained in ketosis. But that doesn't mean I eat bread or other high carb foods. Vegetables are great for increasing your carb intake. Peas, green beans, etc. Yes, they are legumes and are FORBIDDEN on a keto diet. I followed that strict instructions when I first started too. Now? I like peas and green beans. So I include them. I also eat *gasp* carrots! Granted I don't consume them that often, but I no longer vilify them. My weight still decreases and my blood sugar still remains normal.
  • cindytoronto
    cindytoronto Posts: 13 Member
    I would join the low carb group on MFP and read about sodium and potassium requirements. There is no need to be in pain with any eating plan.
  • keishin129
    keishin129 Posts: 9 Member
    The pain and dark urine your describing is alarming I would recommend following up with your medical dr.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    edited November 2017
    youngmomtaz wrote: »
    Getting enough salt/potassium/magnesium?? I don’t have experience with pain while Keto but I mention those because you reference fatigue. How long have you been Keto??
    Jigglypuff00 wrote: »
    If the urine strips are dark purple, that means you could be dehydrated. Up your water intake and watch your electrolytes. You may need more sodium. If your carbs are extremely low, and you aren't drinking enough water or taking in enough sodium, your electrolytes are depleting. That can be very dangerous over a long period of time.

    I'd bet money this is right. You are probably dehydrated AND have low electrolytes. Symptom of that are fatigue and weakness, headaches, brain fog, nausea and BM issues, and muscle weakness and eventually spasms.

    Dark purple just shows the amount of ketones you are spilling into urine. If you are dehydrated it is darker. If you are new to ketosis it is often darker at first too.

    Try a teaspoon of salt with some water, and have some salty broth. I bet it will help.

    Keto (carb) cycling is not always the best choice to start with. Your body takes a few weeks to months to get fat adapted, when it burns fat more efficiently than it did when eating higher carb. If you keep cycling in and out of ketosis, I imagine it will take a lot longer to get your body used to relying on fat for fuel. I would stay with keto for a few weeks (if you want to use ketosis) and then consider carb cycling. And if you do carb cycle, consider staying low carb (under 100-150g of carbs) as it may be easier on your body.... Carb cycling is not proven to be healthier than staying mostly in or out of ketosis. It will just help with faster muscle gains, if that is a goal for you.
  • nutsnbolts76
    nutsnbolts76 Posts: 1 Member
    99clementines wrote: »
    My chiropractor suggested that not cycling in and out of keto can wreak havoc on the body. I have insane chest, neck, and back pain. When the urine strips are dark purp.. the pain is greater.
    I stretch, though I'm so exhausted I can't workout like I used to. Walking is all I can handle. I'm fatigued. Has anyone been through this?

    Did you ever figure out what was causing this pain? I'm experiencing the same symptoms. I've been on this diet for 3 months and have lost 60 pounds. I love the diet. I think I will try drinking more water.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    nutsnbolts76 wrote: »
    99clementines wrote: »
    My chiropractor suggested that not cycling in and out of keto can wreak havoc on the body. I have insane chest, neck, and back pain. When the urine strips are dark purp.. the pain is greater.
    I stretch, though I'm so exhausted I can't workout like I used to. Walking is all I can handle. I'm fatigued. Has anyone been through this?

    Did you ever figure out what was causing this pain? I'm experiencing the same symptoms. I've been on this diet for 3 months and have lost 60 pounds. I love the diet. I think I will try drinking more water.

    Its possible the lack of calories is causing issues with recovery. 60 lbs in 3 months is insanely quick and you probably aren't getting adequate protein and potentially short on other nutrients.
  • elsie6hickman
    elsie6hickman Posts: 3,864 Member
    When you are in pain, your body is talking to you. I am a person who has fibromyalgia, so I am in some level of pain all the time and if I have a flare, it's impossible to exercise, so I probably know what you are going through. Why not go to a medical Dr., ask about your pain - it could be a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Even a low carb diet needs to be balanced meaning that you need to eat healthy proteins and good quality carbs, like non-starchy vegetables and fruits. Right now, I am logging all my food in my food diary here on MFP, and also displays info on carbs and sodium. And if you are new to exercise, make sure you are starting slow and letting your body catch up to the increase. You didn't gain weight in a day and you aren't going to lose it in a day either.
  • leftsox
    leftsox Posts: 25 Member
    Please watch Dr berg on you tube..he helps with the keto pains and keto "flu" ...
This discussion has been closed.

Categories