I would like to know what the problem is with antihistamines and coffee. I've been off both now for 3 weeks and for the past week haven't lost any weight. I think it may be due to water retention from my allergies (ragweed this time of year - I am so bloated!) Before I started Atkins (this is the start of my 4th week of induction) I would take zyrtec, benedril, and drink 4-6 cups of coffee so I wouldn't fall asleep.

I've been in ketosis (heavy) since day 4 and have plenty of weight to lose. I feel frustrated! help....

Shannon,

If you gave these up just for this WOE, you might want to go back to taking them. Did you check with a doctor before stopping those antihistamines??? You obviously have strong allergies, and need to take care of those

Antihistamines put me to sleep too; in fact *non-drowsy* benadryl or actifed will even knock me out. Have you checked with the doctor or pharmacist about trying something that you might not react so intensely to??

About the caffeine...it is an YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary) kind of thing. It can stall some people; but many lose weight just fine drinking it. I found that it didn't bother me or stall me at the beginning. So I kept drinking my coffee. I'm currently trying to give up my caffeine, but it isn't because of this WOL specifically. As far as I know, caffeine has never hindered my losing on this WOL

I know how frustrating it can be when you are not losing the weight; and I'm not sure how it all works. But perhaps your body's energy is busy handling your allergies; and not free to work on weight loss. Just a thought.

Anyway, I hope some of this is helpful to you. I had to stop by and check out your questions because we share the same name

My two cents,
Shannon (too!)

Hi Shannon - ask your doctor for real allergy meds - Claritin, Allegra, or something like that. Here in Canada, they're available off the shelf. I'd never voluntarily take Benedril for environmental allergies.

BTW, there's nowhere in DANDR that I can find where antihistimines are blamed for slow loss. There's no reason why they should stall you. Take 'em. You need 'em.

Thank you so much for answering so quickly! I have tried claritan before. It doesn't help me much at all. I will take the one antihistamine (zyrtec) and see what happens.

Hey Shannon!!

I love to meet other Shannons! And to know there's one more person who won't call me Sharon, ha ha!!

Hey Shannon,

I know what you mean...it's a more common name now, but in the past I've been called Sharon, Sherri, Shana, and "What was that?"

Shannon

Yeah, my most hated ones are by the witsters who have called me shanana and shanoooon.