I am on day 16 of vlcd and I am taking 200 iu shots of hcg. I have lost 13 pounds and I am pleased with the results. Here's the problem - I FEEL AWFUL! I am having headaches, vision is blacking out when I get up from sitting or standing, and generally feel unwell. I have read original protocol and I am following it to a T. I am wondering if my supplements are causing me trouble. I am taking Sam-e, potassium, magnesium, multi-vita, calcium, and align probiotic. I'm getting about 96 ounces of water in and I don't know what else to do. I have three kids and I feel like the last two weeks all I've done is sit and read. I have no energy. I know that's alot of info but I'd so appreciate any advice.

I, too, felt this in the beginning. Part of this amy be your body detoxing.

I have also found potassium has helped me greatly. You are taking good supplements, but are you taking enough potassium?

I usually take about 800 mg a day. I split it up 1/2 in the AM and the rest later. This has helped me with being dizzy and lightheaded.

The potassium formula is to take twice as much as sodium. If you eat 300mg of sodium (also naturally occuring in foods) then take 600mg of potassium. But, do not exceed 1500mg in one day.

If you are salting your foods, I suggest that you stop. This adds to the dizzy spells.

You may also want to subsitute a fruit for extra protein or add a protein shake in the morning.

As long as your calories balance out to about 500 cals daily, you'll do fine.

Use www.fitday.com to help with your daily journal and intake.

Hi,
Thank you for your response. I believe I'll take you up on some of your advice. I am waiting on some blood work to come back from my dr. because the symptoms got quite bad in the past 2 days. I have managed to stay somewhat on track but I have not lost anymore weight this week. But at least I didn't go up! I'm hanging in there and will keep on going unless something major shows up in my bloodwork.
Thanks for the encouragement!

I was interested in seeing how you are feeling now. Better? Did you go off hCG or did you stay on and work through it?

Hi,
I wanted to let you know that I hung in there for a full 26 days. I don't know how I did it. It was one of the most difficult things I've ever done. My bloodwork looked good but I continued to feel really bad. The one thing that I learned through all my discomfort is that in my case the body has a very hard time producing serotonin when the main component of one's diet is protein. This is not a common problem, but for me it answered the questions as to why I was not excited about losing weight(mood problems), why I couldn't sleep and the headaches I was having right through my last day. All of these conclusions were made with my doctor's help and I am feeling much better. I have completed phase three and I have maintained a 15 pound weight loss. I am quite impressed with the protocol and I plan to do it again in the spring when the days are longer and my serotonin production is elevated more than it is now in the gloomy, autumn days of New England. I hope you are doing ok and please feel free to e-mail me if you have anymore questions or need support. mooga@cox.net

Would taking ginsing and 5-HTP (all herbs over the counter) help?

If you have a hard time sleeping, the best thing you can use is Natural Calm by Peter Gilham. It is natural magnesium. This helped me greatly during menopause and the sleepless nights I endured. This will also help keep you "regular" and helps with headaches, muscle cramping and a host of other things. You can find this at most health food stores. The magnesium tablets/capsules don't have the same effect.

I like 5-HTP, and it does help. But, I cannot take it while on P2 of the protocol. It causes me to gain weight. Go figure.

I think I am going to go get me some natural calm. I don't have a problem sleeping yet, but the muscle cramps are bad. I move, they charlie horse. I am a very active person, so this is a big problem.

Love all the support you all give and the advice you offer. Its worth a million bucks.

Naturalcalm is awesome!! I started using that during phase 2 and I continue to use it now. I don't know much about ginseng but 5-htp is supposed to be great although I did not find success with it. good luck!