Cramps?

[Newbourne]

I'm on day 5 of the Atkins plan and so far so good.....

My only problem thus far is cramps. I began to experience them yesterday morning. Sometimes they're pretty intense in my left abdominal region. I have drank plenty of water over the last 5 days, in addition to my diet which has consisted pretty strictly of grilled chicken, pork spare ribs(no bbq), cheeseburgers(no buns) and lots of green veggies (spinnach, collard greens, green beans, and salads). Is this something that I should be worried about?

[livingintn]

Hi,
I'm no expert. But, it may be gas...I had similar cramps my first couple of weeks of Atkins, and figured out this was due to my increased intake in vegetables such as broccoli. Someone recommended drinking hot tea, and green tea did help. Eventually, I guess my body adjusted to the change in eating habits and the cramps stopped.
I don't know if abdominal cramps count, but a lot of muscle cramps can be eliminated or reduced by taking a Potassium supplement.
There's always the possibility that it could be something more serious; the best thing to do is to ask your doctor about it.

[Newbourne]

Thanks for your quick reply. I thought that maybe that's what it may be as well, however. I have been quite "regular" over the past few days. (Actually, I've really never had a problem with that, and feel quite silly for talking about that stuff).

Before the diet, I was a very gassy person (kept it to myself though). Now however, that has subsided quite a bit. So maybe that's why the cramps started......I am gassy, just unable to expel?

I know this is a pretty taboo subject, but it has me a little concerned.

[kyrasdad]

I had some horrible leg cramps the first couple of weeks, one so bad it made me limp for several days! It was mainly due to not taking vitamin supplements. As to being gassy, I was, well an infamous farter :lol: before Atkins, and now I simply don't have that problem as often. I haven't had any abdominal cramps on the diet, though.

[Lori H]

Are you eating anything with sugar alcohols? Like the sugar free candies or bars? I just thought I'd mention this because the SAs wreck havoc with my digestive system.

[gilibel]

As for limb cramps and restless legs, the main supplement to take is magnesium. As for tummy pains, sugar alcohols/polyols are infamous for their laxative and "windy" effects.

And gas / constipation etc is so not a taboo subject.
Not on this board, it isn't. :D
(Try the search button for "cramps" or "constipation" etc.
It has often been discussed.)

Cheers! :wave:

/gil

[miristar]

As for limb cramps and restless legs, the main supplement to take is magnesium. As for tummy pains, sugar alcohols/polyols are infamous for their laxative and "windy" effects.

And gas / constipation etc is so not a taboo subject.
Not on this board, it isn't. :D
(Try the search button for "cramps" or "constipation" etc.
It has often been discussed.)

Cheers! :wave:

/gil
Thanks to all.
I am just starting out again after years of being away, never really succeeded last time.
I am finding that all the veggies are causing mega-GAS as I had stopped eating many veggies in my sugar addicted haze....
I hope this will stop being so bad soon... GAS-X isn't helping and I am also having to run to the bathroom!!

-Miristar