On Tue, 8 Dec 1998, Damron, Mike (KYTC) wrote:

        > A couple of months ago I developed a sort of tightness in my chest
and
        > shortness of breath.  It makes deep breathing difficult and gets
downright
        > painful with exertion.  My doctor has found nothing wrong, EKG and
chest
        > X-ray are normal.  I went to a cardiologist for a stress echo and
it was
        > also normal.  My doctor has put me on Prilosec for acid reflux
(always been
        > a problem) and even Prozac (apparently chest pain is a common
symptom of
        > depressed males).  Nothing helped.

        Then Todd wrote:

        I have a suspicion that your problem could be electrolyte
        depletion.  There are studies showing that ketogenic diets cause
        depletion of sodium, potassium, and magnesium.  This can cause
        varied symptoms, including heart rate disturbances, muscle cramps
        and weakness.  Your symptoms sound like weakness in the muscles
        of the diaphragm and possibly spasms in other muscles in the
        chest area.  You might try supplementing with these minerals for
        a while and see what happens.

        Thanks, Todd.  After reading your suggestion, I went out on my lunch
break and got a potassium and magnesium supplement.  By dinner time I felt
great.  Unbelievable.  I don't generally take supplements because I believe
in this WOE so whole-heartedly and they never made a difference I could
feel.  I stand corrected.  Todd, you are truly one of the great Smart People
of the online world.  I envy your wisdom.

        Thanks to everyone who responded, I very much appreciate your
support.

        Mike