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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to the doctor's because I've eaten too much salt and I think I'm dying

335 replies

poopcollector101 · 14/08/2019 09:28

I feel awful.

I've been doing the keto diet for 2 weeks. Part of this is that you replace your electrolytes by drinking salt water, 1tsp dissolved in water. I've done this past 2 days then yesterday for lunch I had a whole packet of pork crackling that was incredibly salty (actually made me feel a bit sick) and then ham hock salad, which was a bit salty, then I had some edamame beans with soy sauce (also salty) I didn't consider this at the time.
When I got home I had sprouts and bacon - more salt.

Then developed the worst headache I've ever experienced at about 8pm, literally feels like my brain was throbbing. Dry mouth and thirsty so I drank a ton of water.

I woke up at 5am with my head throbbing and I could barely move, husband have me a co codamol, barely touched the headache. I still feel wobbly now, my head feels so heavy and throbbing, it's like no headache I've ever had.

Should I go to the doctor this morning?

OP posts:
venusandmars · 15/08/2019 21:25

The OP is not 'eating normal food'. She / he is drinking coke and eating macaroons. That is just a fuck load of sugars and additives.

Eat an avocado. Eat some broccoli, and salmon. That's normal food. (oh and it's also 'keto' - which is essentially about carbs from unprocessed sources).

The extremity of low nutrition and high sugar foods THEN a no sugar diet would make most people feel rough. The answer is to eat normal, unprocessed, natural food. And to drink lots of fluids (water, herbal teas). Maybe adjust to it gradually over a couple of weeks.

Abbifa · 15/08/2019 21:34

You shouldn't need to drink salt water on keto diet, that's for extended fasts to replace electrolytes. Keep drinking water little and often and defo ring 111 for advice

timshelthechoice · 15/08/2019 21:44

RTFT! She's already seen a medic! Now she's probably on a huge sugar crash.

sallyedmondson · 15/08/2019 21:53

Isn't it amazing what some people will do because "they read it on facebook"?
I despair.

OoohOnly90CaloriesIllhave10 · 15/08/2019 21:56

Sounds like carb flu to me.

It's hard, and exactly how you describe it.

Hempleaves · 15/08/2019 21:57

That made me laugh, @timshelthechoice!

pollymere · 15/08/2019 21:58

You know broccoli is carbs, right?

venusandmars · 15/08/2019 22:02

Of course broccoli has some carbs. But keto isn't about NO carbs, it's about a smaller amount of carbs, and more importantly getting carbs from a really good healthy unprocessed source, like broccoli, or spinach etc. not macaroons, or coke.

MerryDeath · 15/08/2019 22:02

what the fuck kind of a 'diet' is this? it sounds incredibly unnutritious and dangerous!

Flerkin · 15/08/2019 22:03

So basically OP went on a really strict diet, took it to extremes to lose 5lb.

Then instead of eating sensible carbs has eaten a ton of sugar and probably put the 5lb back on.

Theres cautionary tale in there.

Molly564 · 15/08/2019 22:28

My DH did the keto diet and lost a shit tone of weight but it’s not for me and sounds far too dangerous.

It does sound like you might be dehydrated. Too much salt is defo not good for you. He did say you get this keto flu though after doing it for a couple of weeks and it lasts a few days. Sounds grim. Hope you feel better soon x

YesQueen · 15/08/2019 22:34

@MerryDeath if it's done correctly like the low carb boot camp topic in here then it's absolutely fine
You eat meat, fish, veg, some berries, dairy, eggs and fat (olive oil, mayo, some nuts)
So you might have a chicken Caesar salad but you just wouldn't have the croutons. Or you would have steak with a creamy sauce and loads of leafy green veg but no potatoes
Breakfast might be an omelette or Greek yoghurt, just not toast or cereal

user1472151176 · 15/08/2019 23:04

I am also on this diet but have not seen anywhere to drink salt water. You do need extra salt but it is controlled by diet. Only have extra salt if you need it. You have to drink a lot of extra water on this diet too because you are no longer eating carbs. Carbs store water which is why you loose so much weight in the first week or two.
I would phone 111 for medical advice.
Hope you feel better soon

BenjiB · 15/08/2019 23:14

Never heard of drinking salt water on keto!

Speakercube · 15/08/2019 23:38

Poor Op- all she wanted was to stop being a 'porker'! 😂Glad you're OK now thou. I'll get my coat.....

gymraes · 15/08/2019 23:58

I LOVE salt.,..but are you nuts..(I f not before, by now)?? Wishing you all the best.

Rache49 · 16/08/2019 05:29

Try the Pharmacist first. It is difficult to get GP appointments these days , so when i need advice i go to the Chemist and they can advise me or send me to the GP.

Franklymydearidontgiveadam · 16/08/2019 05:59

These diets are ridiculous.

If you just can't follow a typical healthy diet and have to go on these crazy diets then your relationship with food stems deeper than just wanting a quick fix etc.

All these diet companies making billions out of people whom are desperate to lose weight thus stopping them from using coming sense and just having a balanced in take of food/calories a day or just stop over eating/indulging in the first place.

I've lost over 5st over the year, no fucking fad diet, just getting my ass in gear and having some self respect for myself and not filing myself up on junk food and gaining some self control.

stayathomer · 16/08/2019 06:52

Best of luck OP, hope you feel better, glad you saw a doctor.

stayathomer · 16/08/2019 07:35

Ps people mentioning diorylte, in pharmacies they sometimes ask what it's for because people abuse it for weight loss and it can lead to serious health issues. Please don't mess with all this kind of stuff. Food and exercise, and speak to a healthcare professional if there's issues or circumstances. Oh and I'd guess that all the food groups are there for a reason, sure you can cut down on the bad aspects such as white bread, biscuits etc, but carbs have a function

CheckingOutTheQuantocks · 16/08/2019 08:48

You what? Dioralyte isn't a laxative. People might use it to replace electrolytes after they've been abusing laxatives, but you don't have to buy it over the counter, and you're certainly not going to be given the third degree by the pharmacist before they'll let you have it.

stayathomer · 16/08/2019 08:54

They honestly do in Ireland. I used to have to get it regularly when my dad was sick and they always asked was it for me or someone else. Same with dh when he went to get it. I suppose because we wrre in so much. Asked sil who is a pharmacist and she said people abuse it for weight loss reasons and they have to ask but I didn't get the ins and outs of the how's and whys

stayathomer · 16/08/2019 08:55

And it wasn't prescription, we just bought it

MargoLovebutter · 16/08/2019 09:49

Dioralyte can be purchased off the supermarket shelf, you don't have to ask a pharmacist for it and there is no way the checkout person in Tesco is going to challenge your use of it!

Riverviews · 16/08/2019 10:02

I'm glad you are ok. I do Keto and love it, but the advice from some self appointed Admins in some Facebook groups is ridiculous. Do your own research from accredited sources before believing anything they say.

Anyone can create a Facebook group and start dishing out advice based on anecdotal evidence. Before you know, they have 1000s of followers blindly accepting their word as gospel