For those starting Atkin's on 7/7/2008.

[former hardbody]

I am worried that so many of you are having migraines, and bad headaches! Do you think it's the sugar crash?
I dont seem to get them at all.....

[Esteliana]

Nikki, I prefer not to say the age just because that's something only I should know. lol. Let's just say it was a big gap, that's all. You can fill in the blanks if you'd like. But you're right, you gotta weed out the bad ones first in order to find that perfect flower. Lol. My analogies are lame, I know. But hey, what can one do to fill their time? Yesterday I said I was free as a bird in a cage. If that makes any sense. But who knows what the future has in store for me because I don't even know myself. I'm happy where I am right now though, even though being lonely really isn't all that fun because da mudder keeps pressuring me on finding a bf or gf all the time and it gets quite annoying.

As for the headaches former, I think it's just the sugar crash and the lowering of the carb intake. They go away after a while. Mine's finally gone and like I said before, this was the first time I actually had them.

-Bekka

[kirbychristian]

For migraines, ask your doctor about Maxalt. That's the best stuff I've used for migraines....it doesn't make you tired and sleep all day like some of the other stuff but it actually works! They don't seem to prescribe it much...I think because it's expensive...so you have to ask about it.

Fortunately, induction has not triggered any migraines for me though I have had some bad headaches.

[hillbilly]

Hardbody - No, not related to sugar crash. I've had these for years. When I noticed they came regularly, I went to the dr., then on to the neurologist when they escalated (or morphed as the dr. says). That was a year ago in Feb. 08.

I attribute the "morph" to beginning perimenopause (you know, rollercoaster hormones!). Sometimes a Starbucks or Sunkist will help (caffeine/sugar combo), but those aren't allowed right now!!!!!! I've been on all kind of meds (of several different types available), without any/very little success. I've even tried nerve blocks (getting needles stuck in my head and between my eyes and eyebrows--SOUNDS LIKE FUN, HUH??) So now I've graduated to the meds with more prevalent side effects (which is like adding 2 straws to the already over-burdened camel because I get all the wacky/uncommon side effects anyway).

Enough about that. It's been going on so long that it is a way of life now. Besides today's isn't that bad--I'm not in bed. A bad nuisance, really. So, in addition to being only in my forehead (which is typical for my migraines), I don't thing it is severe enough to be an induction headache. As for the flu, I made it to day 5 two weeks ago and didn't have it then, either.

Now, to the requested recipes. I don't want to step on anyone's toes, so each recipe indicates where it came from.

CHICKEN FAJITA CASSEROLE-SORT OF (The Low Carb Cafe - Recipe)
full recipe at website-mine is abbreviated
boneless chicken breast cut into strips
onion, bell peppers (red, green, orange) cut into strips
taco seasoning mix to taste
garlic powder
Monteray Jack cheese (I use the bagged, shredded Mexican cheese)

fry chicken in oil, stir in seasonings, add veggies, cook/stir until crisp/tender (1 min.).
I just then add cheese & plate. Actual recipe calls for baking it to melt cheese.
****best to use homemade taco seasoning--check website--can't find mine****

PHILLY STEAK CASSEROLE (PHPRecipeBook)

steak, sliced
minced garlic/powder
onion, bell pepper, sliced
sliced provolone cheese

Partially freeze steak to make slicing easier. Saute garlic, onions & peppers until onions are translucent. Remove from skillet.
Add more garlic to taste & fry steak. Cook just until no longer pink.
Again, recipe calls for casserole & bake. I just plate it & add cheese (or add everything back to pan & top with cheese & cover until cheese melts).

FRIED CHEESE (memorized-can't remember where from)
There is a similar recipe for CHEESE CRISPS at Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes.

Spread about an ounce of cheese in a frying pan (make sure it still touches but is not mounded up). I use cast iron, so I don't know how other types of pans will work. Fry on low/med heat (watch closely) until you start to smell cheese browning. I then turn it over & do the other side. The idea is to lightly brown NOT burn the cheese. A lot of fat will come out of the cheese. I take it out of the pan, let it cool (it will crisp up as it cools), and enjoy. Mine have never lasted more than a day, but, supposedly they will be good to eat for several days. I tried to be as specific as I could, but this is one of those things that I just do it, not think. (Besides today is not a thinking day!)

Hope I covered everything. I have another recipe for "Goldfish" crackers I want to try soon. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

[hillbilly]

Kirby-just read your post after finishing mine above. That is the one I currently have. Sometimes it helps. But it never totally gets rid of the migraine. And, they always come back the next day. All the migraine medicines (Imitrex, Maxalt, another one I can't think of) are supposed to get rid of the migraine totally--and it is not supposed to come back! And there is no reason to think that induction caused my migraines either time. It's almost like a miracle if I make it an entire week without one normally. Then there are some weeks that I get at least 2. Last fall I had at least mild-med headache pain for nearly 3 months--that was when the dr. decided to poke needles in my head.

Hormonal related migraines are supposed to be VERY, VERY difficult to treat. I guess I am just one of the lucky ones?!?! Steriods were the most effective but since they only kept me headache-free for a week, she doesn't want to keep using them. Too bad, I had TONS of energy while taking them (yeah, increased appetite, too--but I was PRODUCTIVE). The headaches haven't helped with the weight loss, either. It's kind of hard to walk (or run, which I enjoy) on a regular basis when your head pounds even more when the blood gets flowing.

Another bit of info. My son (14 yrs) pays close attention to me (in a very supportive manner--he frequently is my sounding board). He went to camp this Sunday and bet me that I wouldn't be able to make it till he gets home Friday night. This is one bet I fully intend on winning!!! Talk about incentive.

Time to do some surfing. Bye.

[kirbychristian]

Hillbilly,

For chronic migraines, chiropractic care helped me. I was in the same boat as you...I had migraines several times a WEEK that never fully went away, was living on medication but now have only occasional (which I now control with Maxalt). If you haven't given this a try, I would totally recommend asking around for a good chiropractor. (Turned out my migraines were being caused by damage from a fairly minor car accident 10 YEARS earlier! So if yours truly are hormone related, it may not help you but it might be worth at least getting an opinion. My doctor told me chiro. care was useless...but he just had me living on medicines that weren't helping the migraines so I thought "why not give it a try"? So glad I did!)

Atkins doesn't seem to have any effect on my migraines either way...I don't get them any more or less while in induction. But i do get the terrible "sugar crash" headaches (which, thank God, are not as bad as migraines)

[hillbilly]

KIRBY - Tried that. Actually, I go pretty regularly. Before I realized I was getting regular migraines, I went to the chiro for months to get relief. No go. I've tried herbs & supplements, too. Will probably try homeopathy next. I've also heard accupuncture has had some success. The neurologist says accupuncture can also make them worse. But, I will probably try that in the future. Otherwise, I have 5-10 to go until I can expect any reduction (totally thru menopause).

Any other suggestions? Doesn't neccessarily need to be mainstream med.

Had a 1/4 lb. buffalo burger, 1 cup romaine lettuce, 1/2 TB mayo for lunch & 1 oz. cheddar cheese for lunch. Need something else easy/quick for supper. Hate to cook with headache.

[missnikki217]

Bekka - No problem. I have a problem telling people my age gap too LoL so totally understand. Loneliness does suck, but its a really good time to get to know yourself and learn how to love you first... NOW who's cheesy HA!!! LoL. But its so true. Hate telling my mom she was right about that.

Hillbilly - You're going to do great. I really hope you feel better.

Whats for dinner tonight guys?

[carbless_in_seattle]

Originally Posted by missnikki217

Loneliness does suck, but its a really good time to get to know yourself and learn how to love you first.

SO TRUE!!!!!

Sometimes I even like it when my parents and my boyfriend go out of town for a couple of days, cause i know that they'll be full of eating right/exercising/getting reorganized/bubble baths/mani-pedi/pampering and green tea while watching "what not to wear" marathons.

Ok...for dinner...I don't know, I went grocery shopping not that long ago. It will most likely be a spinach salad (spinach/broccoli/bell peppers/cucumber/tomatos), topped in EVOO with raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar, and combine that with something in my freezer (salmon, talapia, scallops, shrimp, chicken).

[Esteliana]

I agree. =) I have grown a lot these past two months that I haven't spoken to him. But it was still wrong of me for not calling him and everything. We just talked earlier today and we're going for lunch tomorrow. I'm determined to get into those size 16 jeans he bought me back in December. Tehe. So all is good on my side. I can finally smile. I hate not smiling, it's no fun.