I'm shaky and my pulse is racing, what could be wrong?

[liberalhistorian]

I'm at work, and I've been feeling really funny the past hour and it's getting worse. My pulse is racing and pounding, I'm dizzy, and have that "shaky" feeling (I don't know how else to describe it, it's kinda like the feeling you get when your blood sugar is low). I have a slight tingling in my left shoulder, but no pain. I've been getting a sharp pain between my shoulder blades the past couple of days, but I haven't really paid much attention.

I have a mitral valve prolapse, I don't know if that has anything to do with it. My mom and I started the Atkins diet a couple of days ago, I don't know if that has anything to do with it, either. But I'm feeling worse and worse, anyone have any ideas?

Edited to correct stupid headline typo, I can't seem to think!

[WilliamPitt]

1. Get some protein into you immediately

It does sound like low blood sugar or an iron deficiency. Muscle cramps, etc.

[liberalhistorian]

13. Maybe I should take some iron pills?

n/t

[WilliamPitt]

21. Are you a man?

If so, don't. Make hearts don't process iron well. Get a roast beef sandwich with some cheese.

[liberalhistorian]

22. No, I'm a lady

(at least I try to be)!

[WilliamPitt]

24. Then the iron pills should help

[ozymandius]

37. My wife has mitral valve prolapse.

Your symptoms sound very familiar. Stress is always a trigger for my wife's symptoms - especially when she was on the Atkins diet. Go to a cardiologist and have them run some tests.

[XanaDUer]

2. Maybe also delayed

stress reaction from when you were robbed?

Other than that-please go the the ER if it continues!!!

[prolesunited]

3. My idea is to call your doctor

With an underlying medical condition, I wouldn't mess around.

[hedda_foil]

4. It could be your heart.

Or it could be something you ate. You've got to get to the doctor or the emergency room right away, though, to find out. These aren't symptoms to sit around wondering about. Go NOW (or as soon as you can possibly get your son covered).

[supernova]

5. Go to the MD

and get your BP and blood glucose levels checked. If you just started Atkins, you may be hypoglycemic (blood sugar too low). Unusual, but possible. Also rule out a cardiac event. (I have MVP too, btw).

Atkins tip: To avoid hypogylcemia, Atkins recommends waiting no more than 6 hours between meals.

Just get to the MD this evening so they can evaluate you.

It just worries me about this pain between your shoulder blades.

[liberalhistorian]

16. I didn't know that about Atkins,

not to wait more than six hours between meals. Although I did eat steadily today. I'm desperately craving some sugar, though (I have an incurable sweet tooth)! Maybe my body's just getting used to not having sugars and carbs?

[Frangible]

6. Uh

I have a mitral valve prolapse, I don't know if that has anything to do with it. My mom and I started the Atkins diet a couple of days ago, I don't know if that has anything to do with it, either. But I'm feeling worse and worse, anyone have any ideas?

Atkins diet = no/low carbs

Your symptoms = not enough blood sugar (carbs)

Your body in time will kick into ketosis and theoretically start synthesizing carbs, but, perhaps that doesn't happen right away? Not sure. I also know you're supposed to go slowly into the Atkin's diet and have to take special (expensive) supplements to keep healthy.

[prolesunited]

11. Which brings up an interesting point

Given your medical condition, did you check with your doctor before starting the Atkins diet? I know it's quite popular, but to me any sort of extremes of eating can be hard on the body.

Please post with what action you are taking.

[supernova]

15. It's fine w/ MVP

I have MVP also and have been doing Atkins for over a year. You just don't go more than 6 hourse w/o eating.

[liberalhistorian]

17. No, I didn't check, and I probably should have.

I should have thought of that!

[liberalhistorian]

12. What kind of supplements, that's the first

I've read of that. We're in the first phase of Atkins, not the full-blown diet, but you're right, the no carbs/no sugar could have a lot to do with it. Maybe I shouldn't be on Atkins?

[Frangible]

26. definately, please check with your doctor first

The atkins diet, although it's a good thing in many cases, is hard on your body. As I understand it, the diet is not healthy without the supplements.

[haele]

32. The Atkins diet has recommended suppliements

When you're starting the diet, it lists the amount of supplimental vitamin complexes you'll also need to take. Atkins also suggests about 4 - 6 hours between meals to keep the symptoms and stress of ketosis at a minimum. And that's all suggested only if you're healthy to begin with.

In your case, since you do have a serious pre-exsisting condition that might be affected by a change in diet and body chemestry, all Atkins diet instructions that I know of recommend that you get checked out by your doctor before starting the diet.

As low fat/high carb diets (Weight-Watchers/Jenny Craig) have been known to adversely affect those with hypoglycemia and potentially lead to gallstones, low carb/high protien diets can adversely affect those with blood pressure or high acidic content in their gastro-intestinal system.

And remember - anything that changes the body chemestry drastically can adversely affect both the heart and the brain functions.
The key to any diet is to know your body metabolism and issues.

My suggestion if you're having that much in the way of adverse symptoms - for now, bring yourself out of Atkins induction and go straight to the maintenance section which allows some carbs, insure you always have something to munch on and that you take the supplements as they suggest, most importantly, as soon as you can, get ye to your cardiologist and get a quick checkup and run-down on what you should be doing.

Good luck.

Haele

[4323Lopez]

38. Doesn't a Red Light go off in your head?

How can I be the only one that doesn't see anything wrong with these diets? When you have all these side-effects and supplements that go along with those diets that play-tricks-on-the-body to get it to loss weight? BTW, Weightwatchers is not High carb its normal carb but with portion control. Probably the healthiest diet of all you've mentioned.
Exercise and eat less...
Exercies and eat less...
Exercise and eat less...

It's REALLY tough, Lord knows I have a hard time doing just that, but its what you are supposed to do to lose weight. No drugs(except maybe green tea tabs and a multi), no high protein(hard on kidneys and the whole body for that fact), no high carb --just a BALANCED diet of more whole foods than processed foods.

[LuLu550]

7. I don't want to be an alarmist

but it could be quite serious. Don't wait, get to a doctor!

[grannylib]

8. Get thee to an ER...just to be safe...PLEASE....

[THUNDER HANDS]

9. I'd recommend

You stop looking at my photo from the "Am I Cute" thread.

:)

But seriously, I'd go see a doctor.

[liberalhistorian]

18. LOL!

You ARE quite a hot one, that's true!

[DuctapeFatwa]

10. Excuse yourself and go to the doctor

Don't fuck around worrying about it, just go to the dr and tell her/him all your symptoms and sit still and follow instructions.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

14. Caffeine OD?

That sounds like the way I feel when I only have coffee for breakfast, take a coffee break, and skip lunch...

You might try eating something substantial and avoiding anything remotely "junky" until you feel better...

I hope it's nothing serious!

~healing cybervibes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[qanda]

19. I was on the Atkin's diet and all I can say is

I know how you're feeling. I hope you okayed your diet with your doctor first. Even if you did, give the doctor a call and review your symptoms with him/her. All of your symptoms sound familiar except the tingling in the shoulder and the pain between your shoulder blades. Those sound too serious to ignore.

In my experience, during the first week of the Atkin's diet, I truly felt like I was dying. I spent a lot of time in bed and holding my head because I was so weak. However, after the first week, I had so much energy that I viewed that first week as well worth the torture. I hope that you will be okay.

[liberalhistorian]

20. So it IS related to Atkins, then?

I thought it might be, although the pain in my shoulder and shoulder blades doesn't sound like it is. I'll call my doctor now and see what he says.

[Snow]

23. That would be at least partly my guess as well...

it takes about 2 days of the less-than-20g of carbs per day diet to deplete the glycogen stores in the liver. Then you start on the fat, but that drop after using up the liver stores can be interesting.

Also, what you've got could be any number of things - from anxiety attack to heart attack to hypoglycemia - call your doc, and tell her all.

[Nay]

25. You are probably in ketosis, which makes you feel weak and lousy, but

with your heart problem you probably shouldn't be on Atkins.

RE: the pain between the shoulder blades and in the shoulder -- can signify heart attack, esp. in women. As my doctor says, "There's no law that says you can't have two things going wrong with you at the same time."

So, please go to the emergency room or your doc ASAP!

[qanda]

28. I wouldn't doubt that Atkins would have something to do with it

However, I suggest you calling your doctor to discuss the other symptoms that I never experienced while on Atkins. I'm praying that all is well with you.

[LuLu550]

27. are you still here???

you said you have heart problems...why take the chance that it is your diet??? Get it checked out by a professional. If it is your diet, no harm, but if it is your heart, you need medical attention and fast!

[Hell Hath No Fury]

29. If your doctor hasn't found...

anything "wrong" with you, then I might have an idea, depending on how old you are.

Let us know what happened.

[MissMarple]

30. Bump.

Please check back in......

[Ellen Forradalom]

31. Are you in love?

that could be it.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

33. That could be a heart problem

Definitely get it checked out!

To soothe carb cravings on the Atkins diet when you're in the early phase, try licorice spice herb tea.

[Interrobang]

34. Go to the emerg!

What you're describing could be the start of a cardiac event. Women get very different heart attack symptoms from the ones men get, the kind that you see in the movies all the time. Usually, they're more like indigestion, or rapid pulse and some minor pain or something. Go to the ER and *insist* that someone take a look at your heart -- medical people are also often reluctant to diagnose cardiac problems in women, because their symptoms are often so minor, comparatively.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

35. Probably Nothing more than Low Blood Sugar

Just get something to eat.
Duckie

[marigold20]

36. Gallbladder?

Pain between the shoulder blades is an often missed symptom.

[amazona]

39. is this a heart attack?

I had the same symptoms for 20 years, but that was starting when I was 12 -- the cause, even the shoulder pain, was caffeine sensitivity. But you probably didn't start drinking caffeine 2 days ago as part of your Atkins diet, or did you?

Are you a woman? For some women, this is a symptom of a cardiovascular problem or even a heart attack. Even my dad didn't know he had a heart attack, although apparently men usually do have much more pain. But lots of times women have this shakiness, shoulder/arm pain, sense of fatique and panic, and it's their heart. Check it out. It might be nothing or you might need a stent, there is no way to tell from here, I'm a bit worried after what happened to my mom. She went undiagnosed for quite a few weeks, probably months, and it could have been serious. Don't let the doctor brush you off with a depression or anxiety pill until he has checked it out. I don't want to scare you but too many doctors brush it off unless you're having severe chest pain.

[bicentennial_baby]

40. I would go to the ER

It could be your heart. Remember, the symptoms for a heart attack in a woman are very different from those in a man. Please, go to the hospital if it's getting worse!

[qanda]

41. Kick

How are you doing liberalhistorian? Please check in and let us know.

[seventhson]

42. Could be hyperthyroid - causes racing heart and shakiness

simple test should help but get to a doctor and ask about it quick.

[pdx_prog]

43. Watch the carb intake

Changing to a low carb diet can effect you in more that one way. Increase the amount of protien you eat. Headaches are a really good sign that you are not getting enough too. Get some psyllium husks or some other natural laxative also. As always.....if you drink and drink and drink water......drink till you can't drink it anymore, then drink some more.

[MissMarple]

44. So, where is she?

Has anyone heard?

[trotsky]

45. She's OK.

She popped in and wrote a post earlier today. Wish I had the link handy. Doc thought it was related to Atkins, her body was adjusting.

[marzipanni]

46. Here's her post link- I was relieved to hear

LiberalHistorian is okay. Take care high protein dieters!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=366764#366795

on edits- getting ahead of my slow brain and dial up connection! Trying to hurry 'cause my son wants to use the phone.