Headache on Optifast
My Centre told us to have 1/2 cup of beef or chicken broth each day for the sodium to prevent headaches. I haven't started Opti yet so I don't know if it works.
Referred:Oct 2016 Orientation: Jan 9th/17 Nurse: Apr 4th/17 PreOp Class 1: Apr 2017 Nut/SW:Jun 13th/17 Psych:Jun 29th/17 PreOp Class 2: July 11th/17 Meet the Surgeon:July 12th/17 Endoscopy: July 21st/17 RNY Surgery: August 25th/17
Opti-15lbs M1-18.5lbs M2-12.5lbs M3-10lbs M4-10lbs M5-4lbs M6-15lbs, M7-5lbs M8-
I found the headaches were bad the first few days, but then they pass. I used advil to handle them. I was allowed ibuprofen for up to 3 days before surgery so they got me through those first few hard days.
It does get better :)
Surgery Jun.2/17 at TWH ----- HW 215 - SW 197.2 - GW 125 CW 124.6
Pre-Op=8.8lbs --- Optifast= 8.4 (was on it for 9 days due to cancellation)
M1 - 20.6... M2 -10.2... M3 -8.0... M4 -5.8... M5 -9.0... M6 -5.2... M7 -7.0... M8 -2.2... M9 -0.9... M10 -2.6... M11-0.6... M12-2.0
on 7/16/17 4:21 am
I found the lack of caffeine caused my headaches, by day 4 I was ok, drink plenty of water and try to stay away from any unnecessary stress. You got this! Wishing you all the best with your upcoming surgery.
Take care, Sonja
I am on Day 6 of Opti right now, and I found I had headaches the first few days plus I broke out in cold sores, as I feel my body was detoxing and going into ketosis, and the lack of caffeine etc. It does get better around the 4 day mark if I remember correctly. Keep hydrated, I took Tylenol as we cant take Advil after surgery so why not get used to Tylenol now lol. You got this Beachgirl, and if you still are experiencing this after day 4 please speak with your Clinic to see what they can do for you :)
Orientation: June 29th, 2016, Social Work Assessment: September 22nd, 2016, Nursing: October 17th, 2016, Nutrition: November 9, 2016, Psychology: January 10, 2017, Dietitian: January 12, 2017, Got Approval from Rounds: Jan 19, 2017, Meeting Surgeon: March 17, 2017, Pre-Op Appt: July 11, 2017, RNY Surgery Booked: Aug 1st, 2017 @ TWH
HW: 372.1, SW: 352.6, M1: 27.2, M2: 8, M3: 10.3 M4:
It's a big change stepping from eating good food and plenty of calories to the Opti your body is craving regular food plus you are likely dehydrated that will cause headaches. Drink plenty of fluids should solve the headaches .... good luck
Guelph- Orientation 12/15/2016 nurse/diet Started Preop 1/27/2017
SW 1/30/2017, all 3 3/6/2017
Internist 3/22/2017 Surgeon 5/11/2017
Post op eating 5/15/2017 Nurse 5/26/2017
Anest-6/1/17 Pre Op 52 M1-20 M2-26 M3-15 M4-6 M5-7 M6-2 M7-1 M8-3 M9-6 M10-3 M11-3 M12-2 M13-2 M14-0 M15-2
Yeah, the headaches are a drag. I took tylenol, drank lots of water, had broth, and when all else failed, put a cold facecloth on my head, a cold compress on my neck, and lay down for a nap. That helped.
Like the others have said, your body is likely going through withdrawal from caffeine, carbs, sugars, fat, etc. It takes awhile for it to stabilise.
Hang in there; you'll get through it.
Pre-Op Visit: Jan. 10, 2017, weight 304, surgeon: Dr. David Lindsay, St. Joe's, Toronto
1st Day of (3 weeks worth of) Optifast: Jan. 11, 2017
Surgery Date: Feb. 1st, 2017
Kathy