Stomach Cramping from Hell 😢
TheOldBallCoach43420
Posts: 119 Member
My wife and I have been doing the Atkins diet now for 3 months. Both of us having major success doing so. She is down 30 and I am down 62. (Started at 395). All of a sudden in the past 2 weeks, now today for a 3rd time, I have had some pretty intense stomach cramps and even constipation. 3 times in 2 weeks. Anyone else experience this while doing the LC lifestyle? I use to have this all the time when eating like total crap, but this is the first experiences with it since starting our lifestyle changes in May.
Thanks
Thanks
2
Replies
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Is it possible that you’ve developed an intolerance of something you’re eating a lot of now?
I developed an intolerance of red peppers for a while when I was doing Atkins, but after avoiding them for a couple of years I was able to slowly reintroduce them to my diet.3 -
Is it possible that you’ve developed an intolerance of something you’re eating a lot of now?
I developed an intolerance of red peppers for a while when I was doing Atkins, but after avoiding them for a couple of years I was able to slowly reintroduce them to my diet.
I have had more cheese in the past few weeks than I normally do, and of course I know the possibility of cheese causing constipation. Just seems odd that all of a sudden this is happening again after nearly 3 months without.
My plan is to eliminate cheese altogether for the next 7-10 days and up water intake some.
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Could you have possibly become lactose intolerant? I found out in my 30’s I became lactose intolerant after I’d get the most horrible cramps and bloating after drinking milk so now I have to take a lactose enzyme pill if I consume dairy to avoid the intestinal upset.6
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I'm not on any special diet except keeping to 1200 cals- although I am on anti-depressants for whom constipation is a side effect. If I get really bunged up, particularly around ovulation time, I get horrible period pain like cramps after a mile or two of jogging. I'm experimenting with the very judicial use of laxatives. Does definitely help. If constipation is the issue, you need to try to increase your insoluble fibre, drink more water and stay active. If it continues, speak to your doctor.4
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TheOldBallCoach43420 wrote: »Is it possible that you’ve developed an intolerance of something you’re eating a lot of now?
I developed an intolerance of red peppers for a while when I was doing Atkins, but after avoiding them for a couple of years I was able to slowly reintroduce them to my diet.
I have had more cheese in the past few weeks than I normally do, and of course I know the possibility of cheese causing constipation. Just seems odd that all of a sudden this is happening again after nearly 3 months without.
My plan is to eliminate cheese altogether for the next 7-10 days and up water intake some.
i used to have lactose intolerance - you might consider eliminating dairy in general for a few days, then adding one thing back at a time.
i suddenly developed wheat intolerance in my early 40s - worst pain i've ever had, and i've been hit by a car as a pedestrian and given birth. perhaps this or gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance or another food?4 -
I don't really have any suggestions other than the idea of a 'wellness' check with your doc might be in order. You're doing amazing on the weight lossTheOldBallCoach43420 wrote: »Is it possible that you’ve developed an intolerance of something you’re eating a lot of now?
I developed an intolerance of red peppers for a while when I was doing Atkins, but after avoiding them for a couple of years I was able to slowly reintroduce them to my diet.
I have had more cheese in the past few weeks than I normally do, and of course I know the possibility of cheese causing constipation. Just seems odd that all of a sudden this is happening again after nearly 3 months without.
My plan is to eliminate cheese altogether for the next 7-10 days and up water intake some.
but between the diet change and still being slightly over weight, it wouldn't hurt to get checked out.
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You should try eating more food and lessening your deficit. Constipation can be caused by aggressive weight loss and you have been aggressive. You have lost 4.8 pounds per week in the last 90 days to get to a 62 pound loss. If I subtract 10 pounds for a water loss you are still losing at 4 pounds a week. This means your average daily deficit is between 2000 and 2400 calories.13
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How much fiber are you eating?1
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Take some Metamucil and if it persists see a dr2
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@TheOldBallCoach43420
Try to determine if the abdominal pain happens after eating a particular food group (diary, grains, fats, etc.). With aggressive wt loss like yours, the pancreas sometimes may be affected, or if you have been eating too much fat, your gallbladder may be upset.
As other recommended the best thing is to see your primary physician. He may order a blood test to check if your pancreatic and liver enzymes are within normal values (metabolic panel). It would be beneficial to take to your doctor's appointment a copy of your food log so he can see what and how much you are eating. Hope that you get well very soon.2 -
I have had to up my fiber, I do low carb so I have some brand cerael, also 400 mg magnesium. I was about to give up and like you I did well with low carb just the constipation problem but now I dont have it, been doing this for a year.1
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You mentioned you used to get this frequently. What do you think or know the cause then?
Summary: you used to get this, didn’t for 2 months, and have it again. You’re eating more cheese and not enough water or fiber, along with a very steep deficit. You’ve actually identified several issues that could be contributing to the cramping.2 -
My dad went low carb and ended up with some pretty severe constipation. He was not eating enough fat and he also stopped drinking diet Dr pepper, which was probably the only thing keeping things moving.
He ended up using a saline enema. I didn't want this kind of detail from my dad, but... Anyway, are you confident you are getting enough fat in your low carb diet?
I doubt it is lactose intolerance, it creates the opposite problem, mild to violent diarrhea, depending on the severity and exposure.2 -
ExistingFish wrote: »My dad went low carb and ended up with some pretty severe constipation. He was not eating enough fat and he also stopped drinking diet Dr pepper, which was probably the only thing keeping things moving.
He ended up using a saline enema. I didn't want this kind of detail from my dad, but... Anyway, are you confident you are getting enough fat in your low carb diet?
I doubt it is lactose intolerance, it creates the opposite problem, mild to violent diarrhea, depending on the severity and exposure.
Actually, food intolerance can cause either diarrhea or constipation so to assume it isn't an intolerance for that reason alone is naive thinking, especially if many other symptoms are present. Also, most people that decrease carbs actually increase their fat intake. While a lack of fat can cause constipation, for those that are low-carb it is lack of fibre that is more likely to be the culprit.
If these symptoms are painful, and the onset has been rapid, I'd suggest seeing a doctor to rule out things like bowel obstructions before making any dramatic changes to your diet so that you do not end up doing more harm than good.7 -
What are some of the extremely low carb foods that some of you like that contain high fiber?0
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There aren't many. Peanuts, almonds, berries.0
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I went from someone who loved their milk and things like shredded wheat to being in absolute agony for days literally overnight.
Through a process of elimination i think i'm suddenly intollerant of lactose and some wheat
Was fine one day, next day (having felt not well and deciding to eat cereal for a day) i couldn't move
I've had to stop both. It's shocking how quickly these things can come on. Try either adding more fibre but try and go a few days without one item and use an elimination diet to figure out what's triggering you.2 -
TheOldBallCoach43420 wrote: »What are some of the extremely low carb foods that some of you like that contain high fiber?
Are you going by total carbs or net carbs?1 -
it could be an intolerance, lack of fiber, or not enough fat, or not enough hydration.
Here is a list of high fiber, low carb foods
The article linked above states this, "The Institute of Medicine recommends women aim to get 25 grams of fiber every day, while men should aim for around 38 grams. If you’re currently eating a low-fiber diet — i.e. a diet without many green vegetables or other foods on this list — work your way up to this goal gradually. Increase your daily fiber intake by several grams (about the equivalent of a handful of almonds) a week. Your body needs time to get used to the extra fiber, or you might end up feeling bloated and uncomfortable. In addition, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water every day to prevent constipation."
Key points in the above: Work your way up slowly, or you might end up feeling bloated and uncomfortable. Drink plenty of water.
I recommend tracking your fiber in your MFP food diary. I replaced the sodium column for fiber (I watch sodium but have a good handle on it).
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I had serious constipation when I did low carb, so ended up taking fiber pills every day. That helped but it still wasn't back to normal. Ultimately I decided that low carb wasn't my best choice. Too many of the foods I like (cereal, fruit, bread) wasn't allowed.5
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TheOldBallCoach43420 wrote: »What are some of the extremely low carb foods that some of you like that contain high fiber?
Are you going by total carbs or net carbs?
I have stayed strictly at 25 total carbs the past month.
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TheOldBallCoach43420 wrote: »TheOldBallCoach43420 wrote: »What are some of the extremely low carb foods that some of you like that contain high fiber?
Are you going by total carbs or net carbs?
I have stayed strictly at 25 total carbs the past month.
There is no way you can get sufficient fiber then. You need 25 to 35 grams per day and considering that carbs show up in non-fiber places you can't get it done.
I am no expert on the Atkins system but I am fairly sure you are supposed to be looking at net carbs not total carbs for your limit. How well did you research this?2 -
TheOldBallCoach43420 wrote: »TheOldBallCoach43420 wrote: »What are some of the extremely low carb foods that some of you like that contain high fiber?
Are you going by total carbs or net carbs?
I have stayed strictly at 25 total carbs the past month.
There is no way you can get sufficient fiber then. You need 25 to 35 grams per day and considering that carbs show up in non-fiber places you can't get it done.
I am no expert on the Atkins system but I am fairly sure you are supposed to be looking at net carbs not total carbs for your limit. How well did you research this?
It is certainly supposed to be net carbs not total carbs from what I recall.
I'm just here to add. A couple years ago I did this and was getting too much fat (for my body) from doing a LC diet and it caused gall stones... which felt like intense cramping, I mean excruciating pain, and lead to constipation.
You should definitely see your doctor to check in.7 -
Gallbladder? I had similar symptoms0
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Up your fiber, if it persist after that, call the doctor.2
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TheOldBallCoach43420 wrote: »TheOldBallCoach43420 wrote: »What are some of the extremely low carb foods that some of you like that contain high fiber?
Are you going by total carbs or net carbs?
I have stayed strictly at 25 total carbs the past month.
There is no way you can get sufficient fiber then. You need 25 to 35 grams per day and considering that carbs show up in non-fiber places you can't get it done.
I am no expert on the Atkins system but I am fairly sure you are supposed to be looking at net carbs not total carbs for your limit. How well did you research this?
You are able to count net carbs but I don’t feel like eating 60 carbohydrate today with all of that fat just to try and get a little bit of fiber. I have been fine since I stopped eating the cheese last week so if it comes up again I will know it’s something above and beyond that.
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TheOldBallCoach43420 wrote: »TheOldBallCoach43420 wrote: »TheOldBallCoach43420 wrote: »What are some of the extremely low carb foods that some of you like that contain high fiber?
Are you going by total carbs or net carbs?
I have stayed strictly at 25 total carbs the past month.
There is no way you can get sufficient fiber then. You need 25 to 35 grams per day and considering that carbs show up in non-fiber places you can't get it done.
I am no expert on the Atkins system but I am fairly sure you are supposed to be looking at net carbs not total carbs for your limit. How well did you research this?
You are able to count net carbs but I don’t feel like eating 60 carbohydrate today with all of that fat just to try and get a little bit of fiber. I have been fine since I stopped eating the cheese last week so if it comes up again I will know it’s something above and beyond that.
You would decrease fats a bit and increase fibrous carbs. Also, you don't need to aim for some crazy fat levels on keto. Its more net carbs, adequate protein (1.5-2.2g/kg) and adequate salt. Just let fat fall out where it does naturally.2
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