Keto flu, I think?
Nykkismommy21
Posts: 224 Member
Today I woke up sooo sick. Dizzy, nauseated, shaky. I thought oh, this must be the keto flu they talk about. I have been doing this for about 4 days, with full on Keto mode ,2 days, I think, I can't even remember right now. So I had some chicken bouillon soup. Was also sooooo thirsty. Like drank 4 17ltr bottles of water back to back!! Wasn't hungry at all, but made myself eat a boiled egg, and took a spoonful of unrefined coconut oil. Nothing helped, I laid down. Tried taking a shower, to get ready to go to Mom's for the Superbowl. Didn't last in the shower, washed my body but by the time I got to where I was about to wash my hair I wanted to faint. Threw myself on my bed. Threw up shortly after. I ended up staying home, fell asleep, woke up had a few chicken wings. Fell back asleep. Then woke up ok after, enough to eat, but still excessively thirsty. I don't know if this is keto flu. Did anyone else vomit. I'm sorry for the graphic visual. I don't know if I am not eating enough, was it dehydration ( I am peeing alot) or if I'm drinking too much apple cider vinegar and it messed with me. I haven't had a chance to buy any strips ,but I will try to do that soon. Any ideas, what happened to me?
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Replies
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Rather than self diagnosis, I would visit a doctor if this keeps up.
But perhaps a diet where a side effect is a flu they named after it is not the best one to follow.29 -
Could be electrolyte imbalance, particularly if you are drinking a lot and not eating enough salt. Try eating something salty perhaps.
You can also stop drinking the ACV, it does nothing.4 -
Sounds like the jack a roo flu2
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Just be careful. With Keto your body flushes out a lot of water in the first week which can give you an electrolyte mis balance, I think this is partly what causes keto flu. Adding in extra water will actually dilute your sodium levels even more.
You mentioned Boullion which is good, try having some food which is salty or adding salt to a meal. If you can stomach it add some salt to your water and try sipping it.
I can never get past a few days on keto so decided that if it was so difficult for me then it wasn't something I could sustain so gave it up. Are you doing keto just for weight loss or other reasons too?5 -
Rather than self diagnosis, I would visit a doctor if this keeps up.
But perhaps a diet where a side effect is a flu they named after it is not the best one to follow.
this! and why are you drinking "too much apple cider vinegar" - sounds like you are trying to do gimmicky things in hopes of a quick fix?? not sure why else you would put yourself through all that when a calorie deficit would do?!18 -
Just be careful. With Keto your body flushes out a lot of water in the first week which can give you an electrolyte mis balance, I think this is partly what causes keto flu. Adding in extra water will actually dilute your sodium levels even more.
You mentioned Boullion which is good, try having some food which is salty or adding salt to a meal. If you can stomach it add some salt to your water and try sipping it.
I can never get past a few days on keto so decided that if it was so difficult for me then it wasn't something I could sustain so gave it up. Are you doing keto just for weight loss or other reasons too?
Hi, thank you for your reply. I am doing it for weight loss. I have about 50 lbs I would like to lose.0 -
Muscleflex79 wrote: »Rather than self diagnosis, I would visit a doctor if this keeps up.
But perhaps a diet where a side effect is a flu they named after it is not the best one to follow.
this! and why are you drinking "too much apple cider vinegar" - sounds like you are trying to do gimmicky things in hopes of a quick fix?? not sure why else you would put yourself through all that when a calorie deficit would do?!
I'm not trying a gimmicky quick fix. I drink Apple Cider Vinegar for other reasons than for weight loss. Also I like Apple Cider Vinegar 🤷 I was just worried what it might be interfering with the Keto diet. And I am also wondering why people who don't care about the Keto diet,and don't support it, would come on a thread to give advice on it. I wouldn't go to a fitness thread if someone was asking how to make gains. If you don't support something, wondering why you would feel the need to make someone feey stupid for trying something that clearly works for so many people. Anyway thanks for the replies.23 -
Could it be ...actual flu?5
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Could it be ...actual flu?2
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Keto flu really isn't the flu - it's an electrolyte imbalance caused by the massive water dump at the start of Keto. Drink some pickle juice, eat some salt, drink a zero calorie sports drink, etc. Since you are dumping water, you are flushing salts, so you need to replace the salts. Most people recommend eating 3000 - 5000 mg of salt a day on the keto diet.7
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Nykkismommy21 wrote: »Muscleflex79 wrote: »Rather than self diagnosis, I would visit a doctor if this keeps up.
But perhaps a diet where a side effect is a flu they named after it is not the best one to follow.
this! and why are you drinking "too much apple cider vinegar" - sounds like you are trying to do gimmicky things in hopes of a quick fix?? not sure why else you would put yourself through all that when a calorie deficit would do?!
I'm not trying a gimmicky quick fix. I drink Apple Cider Vinegar for other reasons than for weight loss. Also I like Apple Cider Vinegar 🤷 I was just worried what it might be interfering with the Keto diet. And I am also wondering why people who don't care about the Keto diet,and don't support it, would come on a thread to give advice on it. I wouldn't go to a fitness thread if someone was asking how to make gains. If you don't support something, wondering why you would feel the need to make someone feey stupid for trying something that clearly works for so many people. Anyway thanks for the replies.
Some people just aren't all for a diet that causes such adverse side effects but produces the same results that calorie counting would. You posted in food and nutrition, a general forum, where anyone can give input. Keto "works" for weight loss in the sense that it is a tool to help eat in a calorie deficit. There is nothing magical about it. Nobody here can tell you with certainty what's wrong with you, but it sounds quite miserable. How many calories are you eating while on this diet?
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Teabythesea_ wrote: »Nykkismommy21 wrote: »Muscleflex79 wrote: »Rather than self diagnosis, I would visit a doctor if this keeps up.
But perhaps a diet where a side effect is a flu they named after it is not the best one to follow.
this! and why are you drinking "too much apple cider vinegar" - sounds like you are trying to do gimmicky things in hopes of a quick fix?? not sure why else you would put yourself through all that when a calorie deficit would do?!
I'm not trying a gimmicky quick fix. I drink Apple Cider Vinegar for other reasons than for weight loss. Also I like Apple Cider Vinegar 🤷 I was just worried what it might be interfering with the Keto diet. And I am also wondering why people who don't care about the Keto diet,and don't support it, would come on a thread to give advice on it. I wouldn't go to a fitness thread if someone was asking how to make gains. If you don't support something, wondering why you would feel the need to make someone feey stupid for trying something that clearly works for so many people. Anyway thanks for the replies.
Some people just aren't all for a diet that causes such adverse side effects but produces the same results that calorie counting would. You posted in food and nutrition, a general forum, where anyone can give input. Keto "works" for weight loss in the sense that it is a tool to help eat in a calorie deficit. There is nothing magical about it. Nobody here can tell you with certainty what's wrong with you, but it sounds quite miserable. How many calories are you eating while on this diet?
I am eating between 1400-1500 calories. I do understand that it is a forum where people can give their input. I guess my confusion lies in , wondering why people who don't do the keto diet want to make comments to someone asking for help from people who have gone through this. But you're right, anyone can comment. Anyhow, after drinking broth since all yesterday and drinking water non stop, I feel better. I have just a teeny bit of a headache now but I will continue with drinking water and making sure to get my sodium in.3 -
Keto flu really isn't the flu - it's an electrolyte imbalance caused by the massive water dump at the start of Keto. Drink some pickle juice, eat some salt, drink a zero calorie sports drink, etc. Since you are dumping water, you are flushing salts, so you need to replace the salts. Most people recommend eating 3000 - 5000 mg of salt a day on the keto diet.
Thank you. I am drinking broth since last night, and do feel better. I will be looking into getting bone broth soon, as I hear that's good for getting in those electrolytes.4 -
gallicinvasion wrote: »Could it be ...actual flu?
Honestly, I have never had the actual "flu" do I honestly wouldn't even know what that looks like 🤔0 -
It's not actual flu, actual flu is respiratory. It's likely a virus or food poisoning or the like, see a doctor if it doesn't go away.
I've never heard of keto flu making people vomit. It can make you feel weak or have a headache.
Why would you drink a bunch (you were concerned it was too much) of ACV, that seems like a bad idea.5 -
Nykkismommy21 wrote: »gallicinvasion wrote: »Could it be ...actual flu?
Honestly, I have never had the actual "flu" do I honestly wouldn't even know what that looks like 🤔
Since it's flu season... you would have a noticeable fever that came on rather suddenly. Body aches are also very common. Stay well
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Keto flu really isn't the flu - it's an electrolyte imbalance caused by the massive water dump at the start of Keto. Drink some pickle juice, eat some salt, drink a zero calorie sports drink, etc. Since you are dumping water, you are flushing salts, so you need to replace the salts. Most people recommend eating 3000 - 5000 mg of salt a day on the keto diet.
This. Those are all symptoms of electrolyte imbalance, so.wtimes called keto flu. You need a lot more sodium and possibly magnesium. There is roughly 2300 mg of sodium. In one teaspoon of salt so you need about 2+ tsp of salt a day.
For a quick fix, est more salty bullion or eat 1/2tsp salt with water.6 -
Could have been the imbalance of electrolytes for sure and im glad its settled. Did you mean you drank x4 17ltr bottles of water?? or 1.7ltr..... Crikey - I would LIVE in the bathroom on that lol. I struggle to drink enough water if im not training.2
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When I used to drink ACV cuz I read it helped seasonal allergies (it don't) I'd always feel like puking2
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I bought some Ketone strips and yes it showed I was in ketosis. I have continued feeling better , I have continued drinking broth made out of chicken and beef boullion. I also bought some Powerade Zero and sipped on that throughout the day. My headache is gone, and my thirst is under control. Today was hard reaching my calories needed, because I just couldn't eat anymore, but it's just but 300 or so calories. I have been reading up about keeping my sodium levels up, so I will continue to do that daily! Thank you for the people who helped answymy question 🙂10
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Keto flu really isn't the flu - it's an electrolyte imbalance caused by the massive water dump at the start of Keto. Drink some pickle juice, eat some salt, drink a zero calorie sports drink, etc. Since you are dumping water, you are flushing salts, so you need to replace the salts. Most people recommend eating 3000 - 5000 mg of salt a day on the keto diet.
This. Those are all symptoms of electrolyte imbalance, so.wtimes called keto flu. You need a lot more sodium and possibly magnesium. There is roughly 2300 mg of sodium. In one teaspoon of salt so you need about 2+ tsp of salt a day.
For a quick fix, est more salty bullion or eat 1/2tsp salt with water.
Thank you, yes I have been doing the broth since yesterday and it made a huge difference!!2 -
Bone broth, coconut oil and ACV.
You’ve hit the fad trifecta.
If you are trying to lose weight - you need a calorie deficit. You can achieve that by following a keto diet, a LCHF diet, or really any diet that helps you achieve that sustainable calorie deficit. Most of them don’t even require you to feel like crap until you adjust to the process the way you are feeling on keto.
Sounds like you’re feeling better and that’s great but there’s nothing magical about keto that meant you had to put yourself through that in the first place. Similarly there’s nothing magical about ACV, coconut oil, or bone broth (seriously why can’t people just call it chicken broth? Why did it need to be renamed in order to sound trendy)?
If you decide to stick with it check out the Low Carber Daily Forum. If you decide keto isn’t for you, there’s plenty of great tips in the stickied most helpful forum posts at the top of each section.
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People who understand the myths and folly of keto are responding in an effort to help you find a more sustainable method of weight loss. Maybe the answer to all the symptoms you describe isn’t to keep following the plan but rather to follow s healthier plan. This is a calorie counting site, so don’t be surprised if people recommend calorie counting in a healthy way.13
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Salt, salt and salt. Also, magnesium at night!4
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Keto flu will pass very quickly. Then you will feel so much better than before you started keto. BTW, Keto has been around much, much longer than low fat and low calorie diets. I guess that makes them the fad diets. You're doing good. Don't let anyone discourage you from doing what you know is best for you.20
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Keto flu will pass very quickly. Then you will feel so much better than before you started keto. BTW, Keto has been around much, much longer than low fat and low calorie diets. I guess that makes them the fad diets. You're doing good. Don't let anyone discourage you from doing what you know is best for you.
The benefits of keto for weight loss in an otherwise healthy person have never been confirmed nor can they be replicated for everyone. Some people do respond negatively to this way of eating whether or not they get the flu or after it passes. Please keep this in mind when issuing blanket statements.17 -
Go see a doctor. If you live in the northern hemisphere the real flu is in season and really starting to pick up. If the doc says it is the flu it might be a good time for a little diet break while you recover. The actual flu is bad enough without the potential for a keto flu added on top of it.0
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Go see a doctor. If you live in the northern hemisphere the real flu is in season and really starting to pick up. If the doc says it is the flu it might be a good time for a little diet break while you recover. The actual flu is bad enough without the potential for a keto flu added on top of it.
Influenza is a respiratory infection, there's no indication in the OP that is what is going on here (not to say that OP shouldn't see a doctor).3 -
janejellyroll wrote: »Go see a doctor. If you live in the northern hemisphere the real flu is in season and really starting to pick up. If the doc says it is the flu it might be a good time for a little diet break while you recover. The actual flu is bad enough without the potential for a keto flu added on top of it.
Influenza is a respiratory infection, there's no indication in the OP that is what is going on here (not to say that OP shouldn't see a doctor).
So I am actually aware that influenza is a respiratory illness with most public Heath departments considering fever of 100 or higher in addition to sore throats and/or cough being reportable (within whatever their numbers criteria is) as flu or influenza like illness.
You are right that OP did not mention respiratory symptoms, but I have been seeing the symptoms she mentions in people who do go on to test positive for influenza. I also find that a lot of them don't mention the sore throat until I ask them about it, but that could be specific to the ones I see and tell to go to the doctor to be evaluated. Granted, what I see is children and nausea and dizziness IS a more common symptom in children than adults so I guess you do have me there.
Her symptoms are also pretty consistent with what some call the "stomach flu", which isn't influenza.
You are also right that OP did not specifically mention respiratory symptoms and I apologize for including what I've seen of people who do end up testing positive for the flu with her symptoms in my advice to OP. I apologize to anybody who read my post and confused "stomach flu" with influenza due to me. Please forgive me and don't take medical advise over the Internet anyway.
Either way, the point of my post was for OP to not ignore her symptoms due to a diet having her feel bad and be seen by an actual doctor.
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janejellyroll wrote: »Go see a doctor. If you live in the northern hemisphere the real flu is in season and really starting to pick up. If the doc says it is the flu it might be a good time for a little diet break while you recover. The actual flu is bad enough without the potential for a keto flu added on top of it.
Influenza is a respiratory infection, there's no indication in the OP that is what is going on here (not to say that OP shouldn't see a doctor).
So I am actually aware that influenza is a respiratory illness with most public Heath departments considering fever of 100 or higher in addition to sore throats and/or cough being reportable (within whatever their numbers criteria is) as flu or influenza like illness.
You are right that OP did not mention respiratory symptoms, but I have been seeing the symptoms she mentions in people who do go on to test positive for influenza. I also find that a lot of them don't mention the sore throat until I ask them about it, but that could be specific to the ones I see and tell to go to the doctor to be evaluated. Granted, what I see is children and nausea and dizziness IS a more common symptom in children than adults so I guess you do have me there.
Her symptoms are also pretty consistent with what some call the "stomach flu", which isn't influenza.
You are also right that OP did not specifically mention respiratory symptoms and I apologize for including what I've seen of people who do end up testing positive for the flu with her symptoms in my advice to OP. I apologize to anybody who read my post and confused "stomach flu" with influenza due to me. Please forgive me and don't take medical advise over the Internet anyway.
Either way, the point of my post was for OP to not ignore her symptoms due to a diet having her feel bad and be seen by an actual doctor.
No inflenza, no stomach flu. I am doing great today ,thank you though, I now know what to look for in an actual flu. I have never,ever had the flu, but I now know what that looks like, thanks to you all describing the symptoms. I'm doing great today, I was actually just sick the one day, and after following the advice of others who have gone through this, I am doing fantastic.2
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