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Abdominal Pain from Low Carb Diet

Posted , 3 users are following.

david89880
david89880

Hi,

I went on a low carb diet about 2.5 months ago because of high triglycerides. I lost 17 pounds since. However, almost every day in the mornings, I wake up with pretty severe lower stomach pain which sometimes moves to the pelvic and genital area also. The only thing that seems to calm it down is meals. After breakfast, the pain usually goes away.

I am wondering if I am deficient in nutrients because of the low carb diet. If anyone can help, I would appreciate it. I have tried pepsid complete and gas-x, both of which don't work.

Also, the pain only happens when walking. When I stand in one place or sit or lie down, there is no pain.

0 likes, 17 replies

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  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 david89880

    Posted

    Have you tried giving up the low carb diet and going back to a simple balanced diet that cuts nothing out? Sometimes diet change can upset the gut. If this doesn't help, see your doctor. I went to my doctor after two weeks of abdominal pain.

    • david89880
      david89880 pippa58442

      Posted

      Thanks. On some days, I have increased the carbs, and then the following day, I would not experience pain. Like today, for example: last night I had a high carb meal, and then today more carbs, and no pain.

      What did your doctor say when you went to get checked out for the abdominal pain?

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 david89880

      Posted

      Most of my doctors were clueless for three and a half months and no one could work out what was wrong because of so many negative tests. Eventually, one doctor diagnosed IBS based on the non stop stress I had undergone six months previously.Have you been to your doctor about your symptoms?

    • david89880
      david89880 pippa58442

      Posted

      Hi.

      No, I have not gone to a doctor for testing yet. Trying to see if I can resolve this on my own. Thankfully, for the past two days, no pain. I have increased my carb intake, so I am assuming it's because of that.

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 david89880

      Posted

      I would give it a week to see if your dietary changes help. If they don't, see your doctor.

    • david89880
      david89880 pippa58442

      Posted

      Thanks for the advice. Do you think I should go to a general physician or a gastroenterologist?

    • david89880
      david89880

      Posted

      Also, what are the symptoms of IBS?

    • david89880
      david89880

      Edited

      Also, as an update, on Saturday, I had no pain. On Sunday(today), I had no pain until after dinner. Dinner was cream of broccoli soup and some rye bread. Interesting that the pain only started today after this meal. Pain came with gas and some bloating. So, this could just be the food.

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 david89880

      Posted

      See a general doctor first and ask to be referred to a gastroenterologist. Broccoli can cause gas, bread can cause bloating and cream can also irritate the gut. Try cutting out these foods to see if it makes a difference.

      There are many symptoms of IBS and they differ for everyone.The main ones are abdominal pain that moves about, nausea, changes in bowel habit such as diarrhoea or constipation or a mixture of both. Some experience bloating and gas. Some find certain foods trigger attacks. Stress and anxiety can bring the flare ups on too and can cause IBS. I had no trigger foods.

    • david89880
      david89880 pippa58442

      Posted

      Thanks. I have not had diarrhea or constipation as issues. Just this abdominal pain. I will keep a diary and will track this closely.

      Thanks so much for your help.

  • 2sweetgirls
    2sweetgirls david89880

    Posted

    If your body is in ketosis, depending on how low carb you are, then you need to up your salt intake. Something about the ketones use up your salts quicker so you need more. Are you eating lots of cheese? Salads? That upset my stomach a lot on keto. Artificial sweetners too. I'd do a food diary.

    • david89880
      david89880 2sweetgirls

      Posted

      Thanks!

      I started doing a food diary. I don't eat that much cheese on the diet. I did notice that chinese food and sushi upset my stomach. I feel like i have a soy sensitivity. Did you ever have that?

      I have also made it a point to increase salt as you mentioned.

    • 2sweetgirls
      2sweetgirls david89880

      Edited

      Yes, id definitely be sensitive to soy sauce because am gluten intolerant and most soy sauces has gluten! They do have soy sauce without gluten though. You said your pain was in your lower abdomen.. well, if I do get gluten in my system then my pain is located in my lower abdomen as well. Its like cramps, only in the morning like you said you have. May not be your problem but definitely worth testing yourself.. Id stayed away from gluten for about a week and reintroduced it..that's how I knew I was intolerant. And believe me you'll know!!

    • david89880
      david89880 2sweetgirls

      Posted

      Thanks so much. And you only noticed this gluten issue once you were on the low carb diet?

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