'Recovering' from health scare

[Belle1984]

Hi there

Started low carbing a good while ago now, but started to experience serious issues with my health (wide spread urticaria, angiodema often affecting my face, hands and feet, and some form of severe depression, perhaps secondary). I ended up visiting an allergy clinic to try and find out if it was actually food related or some other substance. Nothing could be detected. Although, I had a blood test and the results were pretty extreme/abnormal. I was somewhat worried about the high levels, so rather than worry my family kept it to myself in hope that it would somehow be resolved.

After endless reading about low carb and improved health benefits of the Low/no carb way of eating, I have finally found the cause of my health issues (bit of a conincidence really!). I was a regular gym visitor until about 6months ago when things changed in my life. I did however continue to take in whey protein in order to keep 'building' muscle. Little did I know I was taking in far too much protein - this being the answer to my problem!

I have discovered that excess comsumption of protein can cause skin allergies, and gout apparently (I didnt suffer from this luckily). Also, it can and will eventually cause problems for your kidney's which I believe I started to experience, as I eventually had slight pain and throbbing sensations in my upper back. Taking in too much protein can also stall weight loss, and even cause weight gain as excess is converted into glucose which you by all means dont want on a low carb diet!

Now, I am returning to the program... feeling happier all round. I haven't gained any weight being 'away' for a while, so I think ill just continue where I left off

[D3anna]

Wow, your post sounded just like me about 7 months ago. I also went through the same issues with urticaria, angiodema. Went to see a specialist, and they also couldn't find a cause. I have this on and off...sometimes I will go years without it and all of a sudden it pops up and is very severe, drives me crazy and just makes me want to crawl out of my skin!

I'm glad you found out that information, I haven't heard that too much protien can cause this..it will be something I keep in mind!

Glad you are doing well, if you ever wanna chat give me a holler!

[Belle1984]

Originally Posted by D3anna

Wow, your post sounded just like me about 7 months ago. I also went through the same issues with urticaria, angiodema. Went to see a specialist, and they also couldn't find a cause. I have this on and off...sometimes I will go years without it and all of a sudden it pops up and is very severe, drives me crazy and just makes me want to crawl out of my skin!

I'm glad you found out that information, I haven't heard that too much protien can cause this..it will be something I keep in mind!

Glad you are doing well, if you ever wanna chat give me a holler!

Hey, glad to hear that I am not the only one who was left in the dark with this (sorry that you had to experience it too though)
I previously read that I needed to take in roughly 1g of protein per lb of Lean Body Mass. In my case that was around 109g = too much, for me, according to the reaction I get (waking up with severe pain and swollen face). This went on for 6 + months as I hadnt a clue what was happening to me!

Having been working on adjusting my protein intake, I seem to be okay on one protein meal a day (pork, chicken, beef), then eggs and cheese at other meals. This maybe be different for other low carbers, guess its a case of trial and error!

[misplaced southerner]

i have never heard of either of these conditions. can you two please tell us what they are? this is really interesting! thanks!

[Belle1984]

Originally Posted by misplaced southerner

i have never heard of either of these conditions. can you two please tell us what they are? this is really interesting! thanks!

Sure, no worries!

Urticaria is an allergy which can be caused by food, chemicals etc. It can appear anywhere on the body and looks like large raised red wheels (circles). As this is caused by a release of histamine in the body, they are often extremely itchy.

Angiodema is severe swelling and inflammation. Again, I think this is a cause of the histamine and fluid collection at different sites on the body. This often affects the lips, eye lids, throat (can be fatal if blocks airway), fingers and feet, can also be painful due to the amount of fluid building up.

Hope that explains it a little more!

[misplaced southerner]

thanks! wow that must have been terrible! i can't even stand getting hives!

[Belle1984]

Originally Posted by misplaced southerner

thanks! wow that must have been terrible! i can't even stand getting hives!

It sure was, especially when I had to take days off work because my face was soo swollen. Had to take myself over to A&E a few times with a swollen throat which wasnt pleasant either. Still, on the mend now though

[Elizellen]

Thanks for posting your experience. I see many lowcarbers relying on those protein shakes as an easy food substitute and I do worry about them overdosing on protein!

[liv]

Is 109 really too much? I think I have that much protein pretty much every day.

[Belle1984]

Originally Posted by Elizellen

Thanks for posting your experience. I see many lowcarbers relying on those protein shakes as an easy food substitute and I do worry about them overdosing on protein!

Not good at all - especially the chocolate favour, being soo addictive!

Its always full of sweetners - definately not the sort of protein low carbers should reach for. Animal proteins all the way from natural food sources only!