I am starting the Atkins diet tomorrow. Hopefully I will do alright. I keep writing messages with new questions. While I do love pasta and bread and all that good stuff I don't think it should be too difficult to give up until the later stages when I can find an edible amount that works for me. However, I have a had a lifelong problem with nausea (probably caused by my fibromyalgia). This problem gets so bad at times that I dry heave and sometimes throw up. It can ONLY be curbed by eating a bite or two of a dry cracker. Like a saltene. I am in Romania and low carb breads and the such do not exist here. Is there a severe problem with this if I were to go on this diet? Usually it's just a small cracker. And it's not everyday. I don't know why cracker work, stops the acidity....But, it's the only thing that does. Hope I get a response to this. You all seem so nice.

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at the Mayo Clinic in 2005. Nausea is not on the list of symptoms for fibro and I have never had this. Could you have another problem with your stomach? You might have GERD or acid reflux-you should check with your doctor. Over the counter Pepcid is used here in America for acidy stomach.

You could try making flax crackers or cheese crackers and see if they 'work'.

Flax crackers are just equal volumes of water and ground flax/linseed mixed and allowed to sit to absorb the water then spooned onto parchment paper and spread out to a cracker shape then microwaved.
You can add spices or diced peppe/chives to these for more flavour

Cheese crackers can be made with either small cubes or slices of cheese or piles of grated cheese microwaved till crisp.

With both do check them for 'done-ness'after each minute or so as they are nasty if burned!!

If the crackers that help you are standard saltines, then the reason they help settle your stomach is because they contain baking soda. It's an old, classic treatment for women who have morning sickness when they are pregnant. (I was told to eat a few crackers before I even rolled over to get out of bed. They definitely worked.)

However, presuming that you aren't pregnant, something else must be causing you to have an upset stomach. Instead of just treating the symptoms, you should find out why you have such severe nausea, so you can solve the real problem. I agree with lisabinil that you should see your doctor and find out what's really wrong with you.

I'm willing to place a bet that intolerance to those grains you love is at least part of the problem with your tummy. You may find a dramatic improvement when you cut that stuff out, and be unwilling to add it back in!

Crackers don't "stop the acidity." In fact, carbs will cause MORE stomach acid to be produced.

If it's a blood sugar issue the bite of carb may help, too. If that's the case, you should see dramatic improvement in that, too.

I would see a doc, too, but go ahead and start low-carb and see it if helps.

I too have fibro, and I sometimes get a bit 'queasy" in the mornings but I have always associated it with the ibuprofen I usually take at night to sleep. I've never been nauseous or heard of that as a fibro symptom. Crackers will work for me, but cheese or something creamy also works and seem to "sop up the acid" as you so aptly put it. When I am traveling, this same kind of nauseau happens, e.g., motion sickness. We had to stop once in Canada and I was revolted by just the thought of food, except a plain bread, cheese and mayo sandwich. As soon as I ate it I was fine. Everyone thought I was crazy.

I also find the "taste" of water horrible and it seems to just "sit there" on my tummy., I think it's also because of the acid. Tums seemed to cause a rebound affect.

Anyway, if cheese (or a non-fruit yogurt) helps, you will be right at home with Atkins. I've no been on it long enough to tell a difference, as I'm just beginning Atkins also.

I have experienced many benefits other than weightloss doing the atkins diet. One of them is that I have had no acid reflux or indigestion since I started this way of eating. Only once did I experience naseau and that was after 3 glasses of wine last night. woooa. I was smashed because I shouldn't have drank past 2 of them.

Thanks to all of you for your replies,
Especially those with Fibro. Alas, I have decided not to go on this diet as, well, first off, I am a chef and cannot live without certain foods. And I am not overweight, I wanted to get healthier cause of the fibro. But...I'm, doing my bike and my yoga (back into it after three years). I wanted to get healthy not for weight issues, really, but for energy. And for my stomach problems. But thank you. You are all so wonderful. And to the other Fibro people out there, I went to a specialist and he told me that there are new conditions appearing every year as it is considered a new disease. My aunt has multiple sclerosis and there are a myriad of different strains. The same goes with Fibro. You have you have the right doctor. My symptoms are new to them. Therefore they were interested and want to see me every year.
To all those who gave other ideas to stop my heaving. Only one thing: crackers. Trust me, I have tried everything. Ham, cheese, veggie, everything. Not even a cookie will stop the nausea. Only a dry cracker.Thank you all for you imput. Unfortunately, I cannot live without pizza, or sandwiches, pasta. etc...If I had tried this diet I would have failed in the end. So it's better I never tried. Besides, I have to work out. I've had two serious knee surgeries in the last 3 years. This will ensure I work up the muscle I lost.
However, GOOD LUCK to all of you.

If crackers are the only thing, it is very highly possible that you have celiac sprue, and it could easily the cause of your fibro as well as your aunt's ms. Celiac is like a gateway immune disease, as once you have it, you are at risk for 186 other autoimmune diseases and cancers. It's genetic, and most celiacs don't know they have it. It would definitely be worth a blood test to see if you might have it.

"And to the other Fibro people out there, I went to a specialist and he told me that there are new conditions appearing every year as it is considered a new disease. "

It's a "new" disease? How old does it have to be to not be "new?" I'm sure I've had it since 1973 or thereabouts, though I wasn't diagnosed until about 1990, by a rheumatologist, after everyone tried to convince me I was lazy or depressed. Any doctors I have seen since have not even addressed it as far as anything to do for it. I wasn't aware they were still calling it new, although I worked for Social Security Disability and it wasnt' until about 2000 that their doctors did finally concede it was a disease and might actually make people sick enough that they coulnd't work.