2 + years out and not sure how many carbs I am allowed per day?

Can anyone tell me how many carbs we are permitted to consume in a days time. I was two years out March 15th 2006 and so far I have maintained a healthy weight, but due to dealing with two chronic illnesses and prednisone, immune suppresant drugs and chemo for Reumatoid Arthritis I have gained about 10 pounds and I have gone back to the basics of lots of protien, smaller amounts of carbs I am still uncertain how much carb intake I should be having for this far along. I have been drinking a blender full of Isopure protien shake each morning about 75g in the am and the same thing after dinner. I have not felt like eating too much in between, the protien fills you up, but sometimes I get the shakes and get really sweaty and think I may need some sugar or some carbs to offset that response of feeling like I am gonna pass out. I guess I need to consult with the nutricianist on my doctors staff on Monday, just thought maybe one of you could give me some tips in the mean time. Thanks so much for your help.

You are making 2 shakes of 75grams of protein a day? I know there is much speculation out there on how many grams of protein a person can absorb in a short period of time and the number bantered around is 30 grams and this comes from some of the protein manufacturers who keep up on that. (Ask Michelle at vitalady.com) Anyway, I would break your shakes up and have more of 'em with less protein. Hate to see you waste 1/2 of what you are taking in since your body won't absorb 75g at one time. As for carbs, there are many rules of thumb. Some post-ops do really well keeping their carb grams below their grams of protein. If they eat 100 grams of protein a day they try to eat under 100 grams of carbs a day. For me, I am very insulin sensitive and my body completely overreacts to carbs. Have spoken to my surgeon about it and he said there are folks out there like me. He has seen it before. I have to avoid white flour, potato, rice, etc. I stick to vegie carbs (in general non-starchy) but I don't count. Figure they are good for me. From the sounds of it you are having hypoglycemic episodes. Is that after a protein shake or after eating something with carbs? I know that many if they have too many carbs in one sitting or have carbs by themselves (without having proteins or fats at the same time) they will experience hypoglycemia. Make sure you are eating something with your carbs if you eat them. Seeing your doctor or nutritionist is a great idea. Good luck to you, Kathy p.s. My friend is doing well with her rhematoid. She goes to a holistic rhematologist and is taking glucosamine and very high doses of MSM and that has done wonders for her. Not sure what else she is taking but I know it isn't prescription stuff anymore. She had WLS (VBG) just over a year ago and was off her Humira and other meds for the surgery. Had a horrid time. But the alternative stuff seems to be working very well for her.

Hi Kathy: We were told in the beginning before our surgery and afterward that we needed to consume 75grams a day of protien more if we were able to get it in. I have kind of stuck to that all along, thinking more was better for me. Its been a while since I have talked to the nutricianist, like I said I am not certian I am doing it right anymore since I am two plus years out. I get the sweats and shakes when I don't have anything but the protien, seems if I eat something with carbs or sugar they go away but I feel like I am cheating when I eat a carb period. All I know is I look at the carbs on a yogurt and freak out thinking thats way too many. I wish I knew a number to stay at per day so I wouldn't feel so bad about picking up anything with carbs in it. I am just trying to figure out a balance and what will work to get myself back to my comfort zone I guess. I get really sick if I eat rice, bread or anything like that still, I have dumping syndrome afterward. Some people who are as far out as me or farther can't believe I still get sick like that but I do. My son had the surgery about a year after me and he eats nothing but chicken and drinks protien and works out constantly and he looks so good but he is 23 and I am 45 and lets just face it I am old he is young. Ha Ha. Anyway, thanks for the advice, I will definately be calling Amy Monday morning to consult with her on what I need to be eating in the way of a balanced diet and stop fretting over the carbs and protien. Thanks for your response, God Bless. Paula

Oh, 75 grams per day... not per shake. I thought you were having mega-super-shakes. How are you making shakes? Water? Milk? Fruit? Kathy

Hey Kathy: No all I use in my protien shakes is water and ice and make them kinda like a milkshake only without the milk or fruit juice. The milk makes me sick and so does the sugar from the fruit juice so I steer clear of it. Paula

I think you should meet with a dietician. your needs now are different than they were in the beginning. I work out a LOT. The dietician I met with recommended a 40%carb-30%protein-30% fat calorie breakdown. My average 1500-1700 cals a day and am maintainig very well. On 1500 cals a day it breaks down to aproxamately 150 grams carbs ( from complex carbs, I dont eat crap food, It is fruit, veggies, kashi high protein high fiber cereal, barilla plus pasta, whole wheat bread, and veggies.) 112 grams protein and 50 grams fat. I have a bunch of info on my profile. m that balance is intended for me personally as a person who works out a lot and is building muscle. It may be higher in protein and lower in carbs than some other people need, and if you are not real active they may recommend a lower % fat intake also. I really do recommend seeing a dietician and working with them to calculate what your body needs to maintain a good healthy comfortable weight for you.

Hey, thanks for the insight, I believe you are right my best bet is to talk to someone who is able to explain it to me so I can understand. I don't know much about the complex carbs and the glycemetric index good carbs vs bad carbs and all that so I do need professional help. Thanks for your reply, I wish I was able to work out more, I do good for someone with my illnesses but not as good as I would like to. Once again thanks for the information I will check out your profile. Take care! Paula

I am 45 too! we are not old , we are hot mama's! and in my case a hot grandmama expecting my 3rd grandbaby in feb! I know you have illnesses that compromise your ability to exercise, have you cosidered swimming or water exercise to help you get moving and go easy on your body? some health clubseven have warm pools just for those with arthritis etc and that warmth helps th e joints and muscle feel betterwhile yo exercise. Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes!

Hi Willow: Yes I do an arthritis pool class all winter long at a pool in Gainesville GA called elements. I am the youngest in my class of ladies made up of 60's, 70's, 80's and even one 90+ year old. Its a great class and everything is low or no impact and after we do the pool exercise class for one hour, then we all hang out in the hot tub for 15 min to loosen up the muscles which is great for me. During the summer I spend every day swimming with my two grandchildren Lindsay and Madison and I am expecting another grandchild in September this year myself (only about 4 more weeks) and its gonna be a little boy (Samual) but we call him Sammy. You are right, we aren't old its just in comparrison to my son I feel that way sometimes. I just wish I could do as rigerous a workout as him and lift weights and all. My illnesses don't allow for that, but I do everything I can and stay active. I do resistance exercises here at home with elastic bands to help my range of motion with the reumatoid, but that is about as strenuous as it gets for me. I miss those 3 mile a day walks I used to take two years ago, but I just can't get that done anymore, last time I did it I wound up with pnemonia, my lungs just won't hang with me for that and we live in the mountains so everything is uphill it seems except on the walk back. Thanks for the advice, its all good stuff and yes I am doing everything within means of exercising good sense to stay active and not set myself back physcially as well. I am a great advocate for my own healthcare and my doctors keep it real with me about what I need to be doing within my means and I follow their advice. I am gonna give our nutricianist a buzz today and see what she tells me about the boundaries I should stay in with the carbs and if there are any suggestions about a special diet for my needs. Once again, thanks and Congrats on your Grandchildren, there is nothing in the world like it is there? I know why they call us "Grands" now.

Paula , I am like Kathy .. I cant do the white stuff with out regain and as long as my carbs are what I call good carbs ..low glycemic carbs .. I dont really have to count them .. But the white stuff like potatos, rice , white bread ect .. for me its like rationing out my poisen and I have found after 3 years I am better off with out it at all . But thats just me .. I know some people can eat in in moderation with no problems at all .. I think we all just have to experiment with our bodies and find out what works best for us ... good luck to you .. hugs , Ruthie