Protien shakes, powder...stomachache?

Has anyone got a stomachache after drinking a protien shake or mixing protien powder in anything? I just dont feel right after I drink them. Any advice?

Hey JoAnn, I get horrible cramps when I drink the protein shakes or ingetst the powder mixed into soft cereals. Now this next part is kinda gross, so reader beware: My bowel movements are FAR worse after I eat protein powder than without. It's like a step beyond diarrhea--very watery and gross!!!. I am going to ask the people at the surgeon's office tomorrow. This has happened with four kinds of protein drinks so far, including carnation instant breakfast. I know I need the protein, but the price I pay is getting to be a little high for me.

oops...I posted this twice because it did not show up at first. Must be a kink in the system.

Hey JoAnn, I get horrible cramps when I drink the protein shakes or ingetst the powder mixed into soft cereals. Now this next part is kinda gross, so reader beware: My bowel movements are FAR worse after I eat protein powder than without. It's like a step beyond diarrhea--very watery and gross!!!. I am going to ask the people at the surgeon's office tomorrow. This has happened with four kinds of protein drinks so far, including carnation instant breakfast. I know I need the protein, but the price I pay is getting to be a little high for me.

It may be the milk. I never drank milk before the WLS (ugh!), and even the 8 oz in the protein shake bothered my stomach. So now I mix a scoop with 8 oz milk, 2 oz water, and a couple of ice cubes, blend it, and drink half of it one time, and the other half an hour later. It helps. I also went to General Nutririon Center and got a liquid protein. It's fruit flavored, sort of thick, and very strong tasting. After MUCH experimentation, I learned to mix the 1-1/2 oz in 10 oz water and add a little Crystal light. I drink it over ice, and it goes down OK. It also helps with the water intake. Good luck. Hope you find something you can more easily tolerate. Candy W.

Hi there! I don't have any advice to offer but I can sympathize! The same thing happens to me ... my stomach hurts and I feel really heavy in the stomach after drinking them. Not to mention almost every kind of protein drink I've tried makes me gag upon smelling it. I'm really, really struggling with the whole protein drink ordeal! I really hope you figure something out! And if you do, please let me know!!! Good luck! Deanna

I'm in the same boat as ya'll..... I can't stand the smell of the protien powders!! and i can't taste them right away, no matter what i add it to!! I keep trying Carnation Instant Breakfast in the morning, because i don't like the way i feel when i eat hot cereal or eggs in the morning. after drinking half of that, i'm in the bathroom right away with diarhea. I was thinking that maybe i'm reacting from Milk. I never have been much of a milk drinker to begin with. (and i won't drink it when it gets warmish) I've been trying hard and doing ok with getting my protien from solid foods. water is my biggest problem.. i know i'm not getting enough of that in. and for the last couple of days now i have been retaining water, i can feel it and see it. i'm gonna bulk up on my water again to get rid of that, before i resort to my pills again. ugh.... Good luck to you! ~Alison

What works for me is to drink the smelly stuff (protien) slowly. And I also mix mine with lactaid milk instead of water reduces the smell and makes it eaiser for me to stomach and I use about 8 oz lactaid to 1 scoop powder. You may have become lactose intollerant (sp)

Yes, I already had a lactose intolerance before the surgery, but after the surgery, it seems to have intensified. I have been using protein powders that can be mixed with water and still getting the same gastrointestinal problems. I spoke with my surgeon and nurse yesterday and they told me this was more common than I previously thought. They gave me some packets of Unjury unflavored whey protein to try. I have added a packet to some hot chocolate (made with milk) and I will let you know how it goes this morning. And remember after we are past the soft food stage, we can incorporate protein bars, which might be easier to stomach (pun intended, lol!).

I hear ya I mix unflavored with food to sometimes. Because of the Intollerance I use Lactaid non fat milk, I can tollerate that well and use that in place of water. Makes the protien creamy, palatable and I get an extra 9 grams protien per with the lactaid. Good luck to you darlin' Sue