Headaches and Something Less Pleasant

[Jonesyy]

2 queries here as I am finding them becoming a bit more common recently. I have started really getting back into the gym, and my diet is back on track. Steadily gaining weight maybe 1-2lbs a week if I'm lucky, and loads of energy. I have 2 new supplements now, and these problems have started coincidentally around the same time: MyProtein Instant Oats and MyProtein Instant Whey. Protein is post-work out and general supplementation and the other is morning/late afternoon. I have also increased my water intake, as well as pushing myself at the gym more.

First, the most unpleasant topic. Stomach ache leading to bowel clensing more frequently than I would have said normal for me. Also, they tend to be about 50% runny/50% solid. Is this due to the sudden increase in fibre/protein supplements perhaps? Get random stomach upsets too.

My diet looks like this atm:

Morning, 8am, Instant Oats, Banana.
11am, beans/wholegrain toast.
1am, pasta and tuna.
3pm, protein drink (25g) and sometimes another oats drink, 2 hardboiled eggs (whole thing, not interested in going 100% lean until after Xmas).
5-6pm, main meal, red meat, chicken, turkey with rice/pasta and veg usually.
8pm, protein drink, cottage cheese, fruit.

Workout days obviously the post-work out shake is included in there.

I weigh about 76kg, 167.5lbs, 11st, 10lbs.

As for the headaches, I'm not sure if it is because of the supplements, or too much/too little water. On a workout day I can easily go through 2-3 litres of water, and my headaches tend to be post-work out. Could this be too much, or still too little water? I imagine too much in a short time-frame (during work out, I drink a lot) could be detrimental.

They are usually light intensity sometimes spiking to medium. Doesn't occur every day. Am I just paranoid about that one?

I am most curious about the first issue. Perhaps I am not getting enough normal meals in compared to the amount of whey/carb drinks?

Any ideas/suggestions?
Cheers!

[SlimmerMe]

could be low blood sugar....

[Jonesyy]

could be low blood sugar....

Might be worth getting it checked out, I'm probably due a general check-up at the docs anyway. This has only happened since I ramped up my diet though, which is why I thought to look into my diet first.

Interestingly, I just had a banana and a pack of mints (randomly fancied them) and it seems to have leviated the headache issue. Now I think about it I may be starving my body of sugars, as my diet is very 'clean'.

Been looking at your progress by the way SlimmerMe, I remember when you offered me advice when I first signed up here. 1st or so heavier and that is after climbing Mount. Kilimanjaro in the summer, so I can only thank you for directing me to learn more about my diet. You seem to be doing very well!

[SlimmerMe]

Might be worth getting it checked out, I'm probably due a general check-up at the docs anyway. This has only happened since I ramped up my diet though, which is why I thought to look into my diet first.

Interestingly, I just had a banana and a pack of mints (randomly fancied them) and it seems to have leviated the headache issue. Now I think about it I may be starving my body of sugars, as my diet is very 'clean'.

Been looking at your progress by the way SlimmerMe, I remember when you offered me advice when I first signed up here. 1st or so heavier and that is after climbing Mount. Kilimanjaro in the summer, so I can only thank you for directing me to learn more about my diet. You seem to be doing very well!

Good idea to get your glucose levels checked out. Make sure to get an A1C test which will tell you what your glucose levels have been over a 3 month period. You very well might be spiking your insulin somehow and then when it drops, hence the headache.

You are most welcome and so glad you are back~

I feel much better, thanks.

[SlimmerMe]

double post...

[Back In Black]

Stomach ache is likely to be either the whey or a sudden increase in protein intake (if indeed it has increased)

Headaches could be a number of things, possibly dehydration. Have you recently suddenly quit caffeine/smoking/alcohol and they are because of withdrawal symptoms? Do you have high blood pressure? Sugar withdrawal is possible but your body should be thanking you for that!

[Back In Black]

Tell me that you haven't started your hdrol cycle if you are experiencing bowel and head complaints?!

[Jonesyy]

SteM those words sounded quite familiar to me.

Just finished the alcohol loading phase, aka, freshers week at Uni which is essentially 4 weeks running up to Halloween going out almost every day the first week, and 2 times a week after that. I have now stopped going out, and intend to obviously stay away while in full training again. I drink to get drunk, not casually. I will not miss it, but it could be the sudden withdrawl of this. I have never actually checked to see if I have anaemia/diabetes but I am usually quite tired when not eating as I am now. The carbs keep me energised at the moment.

Having some sugar/water seems to get rid of the headache, so this might not be very serious.

The stomach... issues. Almost positive it is the protein and carb increase.

I will still get a check up though, definitely worth it!

[Jonesyy]

Tell me that you haven't started your hdrol cycle if you are experiencing bowel and head complaints?!

No, no. Of course not, they have actually started since, but I do not think it is to do with that. Far too soon, and like I said micro-managing my water/sugar intake seemed to improve the headaches. If not improved in a week I will stop the H-Drol.

[SlimmerMe]

I know that when I have low blood sugar a headache is the first sign. And if your headache goes away by eating more sugar then more of a sign IMO that you need to get your glucose levels checked....

[RaginCajun]

i agree with slim. get your blood glucose checked, A1C test like she said. alcohol could be playing a role in everything, especially with blood glucose. maybe your just over hung! haha! hope you get it all fixed quickly

[chi]

just looking at more obvious things, you say your head aches are post workout correct? You sure you are practicing good form and breathing and not closing your eyes raising the pressure to your head? Just a thought because this has happened to me often. Just throwing it out there. Could be something as simple as that.

[gbrice75]

just looking at more obvious things, you say your head aches are post workout correct? You sure you are practicing good form and breathing and not closing your eyes raising the pressure to your head? Just a thought because this has happened to me often. Just throwing it out there. Could be something as simple as that.

^^^ this has happened to me as well. Extremely intense and unpleasant headache pain due to strain and tension coupled with lack of oxygen due to not breathing properly.

[Jonesyy]

Hey guys, thanks for the reply, I would have checked back here sooner but was going to update after the end of week 1.

Picked up a shoulder injury a week into the cycle, put everything on hold until I recover as there is little I can do but make it worse at this point.

As for the headaches etc, they went away almost as soon as I wrote this thread. Didn't have any more for the rest of the attempted cycle. I think it was just a minor thing, or maybe just dehydration as I upped my water intake which helped.

An update though:

I had a really good boost in energy in the gym, and strength did seem to go up a little nearing the end of the week. The additional energy and strength led to me trying too hard on my left shoulder, my slightly weaker shoulder, and it seems I may have pulled a muscle or maybe injured the rotary cuff. I can still train, but lightly, so I do not think it is serious. Hopefully back into it by De***ber but may not bother with a cycle until January now due to Xmas and all that.

I feel that I may be wasting the expensive Nolva on the H-Drol sometimes. May go for the M-Drol since I have it when I start another cycle.