I have just finished the book and am completely committed to starting the Atkins diet immediately. My concern is that I have been on HRT for the past two years - mostly to alleviate the HOT FLASHES (horrendous!). I learned from the book that the diet won't work in conjunction with HRT, so I have decided to quit the hormone therapy. I also smoke cigarettes, so I guess I am confessing to aggravating my condition ! The cigarettes are also being tossed out, however. I am trying hypnosis very shortly and even if it doesn't work I am going cold turkey (I have already tried the gum, the patch etc. and feel that replacing nicotine with nicotine makes no sense at all, especially as these methods have a huge relapse rate once you stop using them).

My question is this: Does anyone know how long it will take the Premarin (HRT) to be flushed completely out of my system ? I have cut out carbs completely even though my official start date for the Induction stage is not for a few days. I want to make sure that I am not going to get poor results if I haven't rid myself completely of the HRT. Same question about the nicotine - how much is it's presence going to stall progress? And lastly - before I lose your attention completely ! - does anyone have any advice to relieve these hot flashes ? My poor body is feeling so grim !

Thanks for reading this ! !