Atikins and Diuretics

Question:

I have been taking maxide for probably 30 years and still managed to lose 70 pounds in the past 2 years. My biggest mistake was in trying to quit…I gained back 12 pounds and still am trying to lose all of them, 2 more to go. Julia 250/180 (was 178 before stopping maxide)/150

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is anyone else doing the LC diet and also taking a diuretic? My doctor put me on one (maxide) and also suggested doing Atkins, but I also noticed in the book it said to be careful or even avoid these combinations. What are the possible side effects? Any dangers? B-Worthey

Response:

Is anyone else doing the LC diet and also taking a diuretic? My doctor put me on one (maxide) and also suggested doing Atkins, but I also noticed in the book it said to be careful or even avoid these combinations. What are the possible side effects? Any dangers? B-Worthey

Brian, I’ve taking Maxzide for about two years now. It’s a relatively safe and effective drug, with one major thing to watch out for: Do not take potassium supplements or use salt substitutes (such as Morton’s Light Salt) while taking it. Maxzide is a "potassium sparing" diruretic combination which prevents the loss of potassium from the body commonly commonly caused by other diuretics. Taking K(potassium)-supplements or using the K-laden salt substitutes with Maxzide can cause excess buildup of the K in the body and K overdose can lead to interference with the heart’s electical system. K is an electrolyte essential for the heart to function normally, but overdose can cause heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, and in extreme cases can even lead to heart failure. I’m not a medical expert, but I have discussed this with my doctor and I research the drugs that I take pretty thoroughly. I’m confident that the Maxzide is safe; I know it’s effective, and have personally had no problems with it for the past 2 years. But I do avoid the salt substitutes and supplements that contain potassium (including multivitamins). Hope this helps. — Peter website: http://users.thelink.net/marengo

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been taking maxide for probably 30 years and still managed to lose 70 pounds in the past 2 years. My biggest mistake was in trying to quit…I gained back 12 pounds and still am trying to lose all of them, 2 more to go. Julia 250/180 (was 178 before stopping maxide)/150 Is anyone else doing the LC diet and also taking a diuretic? My doctor put me on one (maxide) and also suggested doing Atkins, but I also noticed in the book it said to be careful or even avoid these combinations. What are the possible side effects? Any dangers? B-Worthey

I’ve been taking a diuretic, and have lost 77 pounds in a little over a year. Maxide was also the drug I was on. 347/270/??? Since 8/5/02 — Nancy Howells (don’t forget to switch it, and replace the to send mail).

Response:

Brian Worthey wrote … Is anyone else doing the LC diet and also taking a diuretic? My doctor put me on one (maxide) and also suggested doing Atkins, but I also noticed in the book it said to be careful or even avoid these combinations. What are the possible side effects? Any dangers?

I’ve been on spironolactone (aldactone) for a few years now for PCOS. Pre-LC I was on 50 or 100mg twice a day (can’t remember, I think it was 100mg but I frequently forgot to take the evening dose), and when I started LC I didn’t have any problems. Unfortunately I foolishly stopped taking it for a few months (thinking it might be interfering with weight loss). Weight loss didn’t improve but my skin got phenomenally oily and during summer my ankles and feet were painfully swollen (over summer I was also off the LC so that contributed to the excessive fluid), so I went back on it. Unfortunately now I can barely tolerate 25mg twice a day – any more and I get terrible leg cramps in the evenings as the fluid drains from my lower legs. And although after a few months I think the oiliness has reduced a little, my T zone is still way oilier than it used to be :o( I had hoped to build up from 25mg to a higher dose, but some days I can’t even take my evening dose if I’m getting bad leg cramps (not helped by having a compressed sciatic nerve, which causes some weird cramping and pain down my left leg). Spiro is a potassium-sparing diuretic. If the leg cramps are particularly bad I put about 1/3 tsp of salt (which does contain potassium) into my 1.25litre water bottle and try and get as much of that down as I can before bedtime. Also a heaped teaspoon of vegemite seems to help – maybe it’s vitamin B, or could be just the salt. Tastes vile in that concentration, but does the trick anyway. Rachel (New Zealand)

Response:

Your biggest problem is self-control. — JC Lyle’s New Ultimate Diet "1. eat less you fat fuck 2. exercise more you fat fuck"

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Brian Worthey wrote … Is anyone else doing the LC diet and also taking a diuretic? My doctor put me on one (maxide) and also suggested doing Atkins, but I also noticed in the book it said to be careful or even avoid these combinations. What are the possible side effects? Any dangers? I’ve been on spironolactone (aldactone) for a few years now for PCOS. Pre-LC I was on 50 or 100mg twice a day (can’t remember, I think it was 100mg but I frequently forgot to take the evening dose), and when I started LC I didn’t have any problems. Unfortunately I foolishly stopped taking it for a few months (thinking it might be interfering with weight loss). Weight loss didn’t improve but my skin got phenomenally oily and during summer my ankles and feet were painfully swollen (over summer I was also off the LC so that contributed to the excessive fluid), so I went back on it. Unfortunately now I can barely tolerate 25mg twice a day – any more and I get terrible leg cramps in the evenings as the fluid drains from my lower legs. And although after a few months I think the oiliness has reduced a little, my T zone is still way oilier than it used to be :o( I had hoped to build up from 25mg to a higher dose, but some days I can’t even take my evening dose if I’m getting bad leg cramps (not helped by having a compressed sciatic nerve, which causes some weird cramping and pain down my left leg). Spiro is a potassium-sparing diuretic. If the leg cramps are particularly bad I put about 1/3 tsp of salt (which does contain potassium) into my 1.25litre water bottle and try and get as much of that down as I can before bedtime. Also a heaped teaspoon of vegemite seems to help – maybe it’s vitamin B, or could be just the salt. Tastes vile in that concentration, but does the trick anyway. Rachel (New Zealand)

Response:

Brian, The problem with diuretics are these: 1. More risk of dangerously low levels of electrolytes especially potassium. This can cause heart arrhythmias. If your diuretic is a "potassium sparing" diuretic, taking additional potassium can be dangerous too. 2. Some diuretics raise blood sugars–particularly those in the thiazide family. This might make it harder to get the benefit of low carbing because your insulin will stay high even with a lower carb diet. — Jenny 168.5/137 Low Carb 9/1998 – 8/2001 and 11/10/02 – Now http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean How to calculate your need for protein * How much people really lose each month * Water Weight Gain & Loss * The "Two Gram Cure" for Hunger Cravings * Characteristics of Successful Dieters * Indispensible Low Carb Treats * Should You Count that Low Impact Carb? * Curing Ketobreath * Exercise Starting from Zero * NEW! Do Starch Blockers Work?

Response:

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