I have been doing Atkins for about 8 weeks. I am taking Basic #1 multi and Dieters Advantage. Of and on during the last 8 weeks, I have been very dizzy. Right now it is terrible..nauseating! When I lay down and close my eyes, my head feels like it is spinning uncontrollably. This did not happen before I started this WOE. Has anyone else experienced this?

hi ShelliG,

This is doubtful to be related to diet in any way. Your problem sounds like a classic case of labyrinthitis .. usually due to virus infection. Or sometimes happens after you've had a cold or strep throat. The inflammation causes the fluid in the inner ear (the "labyrinth") to swell, and the pressure throws off your sense of balance off totally, causes nausea, vomiting, vertigo .. you can't function! The treatment is antihistamines, fluids and bedrest .. and antibiotics if a bacterial infection is the culprit. If untreated, you can suffer permanent damage to your ears.

Get thee to the dr


Doreen

Thanks for your response. I don't feel sick in any other way and have not had colds or strep. I did just take my blood pressure and it is 111/62 and pulse is 56. Do you know if that is considered low? I saw another thread about low blood pressure and Atkins and people had my same symptoms.

Your profile doesn't indicate your age, nonetheless a BP of 111/62 is fine. HR of 56 is a little slow, but not remarkable.

FWIW, labyrinthitis can also be triggered by allergies or side effect of medications. There's more information about it here.

Dizziness that might be caused by a person's diet, such as low potassium, low blood sugar or dehydration would be RELIEVED by lying down. If your dizziness is worsened by lying down, sudden change of position or closing your eyes (or opening them suddenly if they've been closed for a while), it indicates a problem in your head, and it's typically the inner ear(s).

Please make an appointment with your dr. to have this checked out.


Doreen

shellig,
i had the same experience after my first week on induction last year and it definitely WAS caused by the change in my diet. doreen is right though that it depends if the dizziness gets worse or slightly better when you lie down. it's not clear from your post which is happening. in my case, i would feel a bit better when lying down. when standing it seemed like the whole world was spinning around me. i think this happened because i wasn't eating enough and i was sweating more than usual - that week i worked out every day, which was unusual for me and we also had a heat wave (the temperatures increasd from about 65 degrees the week before to 90 degrees!). i had an electrolye imbalance. when i started eating more, increased my salt intake and started taking potassium and magneium supplements, the problem went away.
anniemc