Hi all! I started LCHF April 27 this year. Have had a few stumbles since then (found out my antacid had sugar in it, can’t use stevia or other sweeteners AT ALL, and dairy fuels sugar cravings). However, for the most part I do feel so much better than I ever have in my life. My question is: I am thirsty all. the. time. Like - I drink 20 eight oz cups of water a day and even drink water during the night. If I am not constantly drinking water I get super tired, my heart starts pounding with any exertion, my mouth and lips get super dry. Is this normal? Does it get better? Is there something else I should be doing to help with this? It’s really starting to concern me. I take electrolyte supplements daily and try to add extra salt to my food but I am only eating once a day.
1 question (for now 😁)
I dont know the answer to your situation - I know that when I first started (heck I’m still considering myself in starter mode) i was extra thirsty, but not as bad as you are describing. I was able to just increase water and electrolytes and be ok.
If you are having rapid heartbeat when you dont get enough water, I’d recommend seeing a doctor. Try to find one that at least has a solid grasp of keto and isnt going to lecture you on fat being bad blah blah blah.
blockquote, div.yahoo_quoted { margin-left: 0 !important; border-left:1px #715FFA solid !important; padding-left:1ex !important; background-color:white !important; } I can’t go to doc about it because I live in the middle of nowhere, Mississippi and there are no doctors around me who understand the Keto lifestyle. I would have to drive, at minimum, an hour and a half to even possibly find a doctor who agrees with Keto. And I don’t have insurance which makes it even more difficult.
blockquote, div.yahoo_quoted { margin-left: 0 !important; border-left:1px #715FFA solid !important; padding-left:1ex !important; background-color:white !important; } The electrolyte is from a company called LyteShow. I take up to 4 capsules a day. I do feel better for a while after I take them. I try to add salt throughout the day - just eating it plain 
. I just started this morning adding a 1/2 tsp salt to each 40 oz bottle of water I drink - I read about that little tip on these forums. 
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blockquote, div.yahoo_quoted { margin-left: 0 !important; border-left:1px #715FFA solid !important; padding-left:1ex !important; background-color:white !important; } The supplement I take has sodium magnesium potassium and other stuff I can’t remember right now. How does a person know if they are getting ‘enough’? When I first started Keto I would get horrible leg cramps but the suppliments have fixed those.
I started in May and yes I did have those symptoms. I started taking a supplement that contains magnesium and potassium. Also I eat my carbs in the morning
blockquote, div.yahoo_quoted { margin-left: 0 !important; border-left:1px #715FFA solid !important; padding-left:1ex !important; background-color:white !important; } Yea! Thanks for that reply Kimberly. I don’t feel so alone now! I have started adding 1/2 tsp to my water now so I am hoping that will make a difference. I am doing zero carbs because any carbs I eat, even veggies trigger cravings and sick feeling. Thanks all for the advice!
It must be very difficult not eating any carbs. What is a typical meal for you?
I ran into this too at about as long in as you are. I first noticed VERY dry skin and then the thirst and extremely dry lips. Adding more salt helped me as well as eating more avocado’s 
My rule of thumb now is: When I think I’ve had enough salt and water, I should have a bit more!
blockquote, div.yahoo_quoted { margin-left: 0 !important; border-left:1px #715FFA solid !important; padding-left:1ex !important; background-color:white !important; } Just meat and fat. Like baked salmon with butter, bacon and eggs, stuff like that. It’s actually easy because I know what I feel like when I eat carbs.
You can also take epsom salt baths. Many magnesium supplements are in the form of magnesium citrate which is much more difficult for your body to absorb. Don’t put too much into the bath obviously, but it can be an easy and passive method to recharge your electrolytes.
Sounds like you should visit your Dr. Don’t mess around with your heart.
I hope you get it figured out ASAP.
I don’t think it is normal. Excessive thirst is a classic sign of diabetes. Heart palpitations could be diagnostic too, but I’m not a doctor and that is who I would be asking.
I sympathize with the problem of finding doctors that are comfortable helping a patient on a ketogenic diet. You could always do a teleconsult with Dr Gerber. His team do Skype consults.
blockquote, div.yahoo_quoted { margin-left: 0 !important; border-left:1px #715FFA solid !important; padding-left:1ex !important; background-color:white !important; } Thanks everyone for the concern and suggestions. I increased my salt intake by adding 1/4 tsp salt to my water (tried 1/2 tsp for first bottle but it was nasty), and it seems to be helping. Not as thirsty, heart pounding decreased considerably and I’m even less tired. Thanks!
Try Atlantic sea salt - the taste is far better than table salt - I can suck the larger grains - although in a beef bone broth drink is a better way to consume them, up to 5 grams a day…- your thirst should go soon. 
I use pink Himalayan salt. Is Atlantic sea salt better or are they pretty much the same thing?
Hi - they are quite different - the pink stuff is mined ( comes out of the ground ) and is ground to make the small dust like bits. I find it is too sour for my palette.
The Sea salt is evaporated from the sea, it tastes very different. (softer)
Sea salt has chunky grains and you can suck on the larger grains with out that sour icky taste.
I use up to 5 grams (a heaped tea spoon) in a pint of broth every day, my head clears and the thirst is gone.
I some times add a 1/4 tea spoon to three table spoons of cider vinegar in a half pint glass with warm water.
Another quencher for thirst. It is something you need to develop a taste for though, slowly.
Remember it all takes a long time to get the results as the body adjusts to its new mode.
Regards,
Lee.
blockquote, div.yahoo_quoted { margin-left: 0 !important; border-left:1px #715FFA solid !important; padding-left:1ex !important; background-color:white !important; } Lee - Thanks for info. The Himalayan salt is definitely sour. I have a hard time even drinking it with 40 oz of water. I will try the sea salt and see if that helps. Thank you!