Hi

Anyone willing to talk about side affects?

I have just completed "induction"....lost 7 pounds....very good you would say, BUT I haven slept for more than 3 hours a night, for the last 3 nights, du to musle spames all over my body.
I'm taking the proper vitamin sugested in Dr.Atkins' book and I have not cheated in these first 2 weeks.
Would like to hear from all of you out there that experienced some pain like this. It is not something I can put up with.
So before I quit this diet (which I like other wise) I would like to know if I'm doing something wrong......
I'm a 67year old woman, and very healthy other wize
Thank You for all your answers, Helen

Hullo Helen,

I'm sorry to hear you've had so much discomfort.

Are you taking calcium, magnesium and potassium supplements? I'm not sure if by "muscle spasms" you mean cramps - a fairly common occurrence when beginning LC. The best thing for cramps is magnesium, although potassium also helps.
The best way to take magnesium is with calcium in a 2:1 cal:mag combination. Ideally you should be taking 1500:750 daily (that's what I take) in divided doses.
Potassium can be taken either as tablets or by using a potassium salt such as No Salt. You may need up to 400mg daily. Again it's best taken in divided doses. If you choose to take tablets, always have with meals, as they can irritate an empty stomach. And do drink plenty of water.

Which reminds me - are you drinking plenty of water? It's easy to get dehydrated on this WOE (way of eating) and lots of water is needed. I routinely drink a minimum of 4 litres daily. I think 2 litres daily is the absolute minimum.

For anyone taking a potassium supplement who is taking water pills or blood pressure lowering meds, please check first with your doctor or pharmacist as some meds are "potassium sparing" and taking extra potassium could be a problem.

I hope that helps you, Helen.

Rosebud

I found that with cramps, a potassium supplement with my meals helped. I had terrible cramps in my legs from the third day on and taking the potassium helped immediately.

I didn't have spasms, but if that is what you have, magnesium would probably be a better answer for that.

I hope these answers help, and welcome to the boards!