Help needed for obliged change in diet

[Jennyxxx]

Hi All
I started Atkins here with your great help, back in 2005.
I got back into shape really quickly and I really preferred this type of diet.
I felt so much better without the carbs that I continued until now with no hi-carb foods (no pasta rice bread biscuits crackers etc.etc.
I now have a serious problem though.
I have unluckily been diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinsons .. and it just exploded all of a sudden in mid January. Things are pretty hard to deal with .. it is different from normal PD - which has slow degeneration symtoms - mine are really obvious and I have severe tremors.
To deal with the tremors I have to take 2 meds and 3 homeopathic treatments.
The problem is - I take my meds morning and lunch-time - and I have been strongly ADVISED NOT to eat proteins before evening time because proteins drastically reduce the effect of the medicines. (Selegilene and Biperedine)

So I turn to you - my faithful diet fairies - asking for any proposals of carb foods that I could introduce at lunch - without totally ruining all the results I have achieved through you.
I am having enough difficulty coping with this disease psychologically, if I also put on weight - that would really depress me - and I cannot risk that.

Any suggestions would be MOST welcome

Thanks in advance

Jenny

[theredhead]

Re: Help needed for obliged change in diet

My dear Jenny, I'm afraid I don't have any advice for you, but I'm sure many others will be along soon with suggestions.

I just wanted to give you a big hug and tell you that I'll say a prayer for you.

[Jennyxxx]

Re: Help needed for obliged change in diet

Thanks so much theredhead .... I am normally quite a strong person - but this disease, the symptoms, and the fact that is degenerative is driving me nuts.
I know I have to deal with my health above all other - and if that means introducing carbs .. so be it.
But as you know - it is not such a question of 'looking good' but mainly 'feeling good with yourself' - and putting on wieght is NOT what I need right now.
Thanks for the hug!!

Jenny

[Georgiana]

Re: Help needed for obliged change in diet

The problem is - I take my meds morning and lunch-time - and I have been strongly ADVISED NOT to eat proteins before evening time because proteins drastically reduce the effect of the medicines. (Selegilene and Biperedine)

I imagine you are doing Maintenance now, is this right? What is your current carbohydrate level? If you are able to eat fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, etc. and stay within your CCLM, then you could eat these with a form of fat for breakfast and lunch, and leave protein (e.g. meat) for dinner. Would this work? I'm not sure what your doctor refers to when saying you should not eat proteins before evening time... Is there a certain amount of protein that would be too much? Or is it just that you are not able to eat a "large" amount of protein? The only information I could find online about protein and Parkinson drugs is (M.S. Lipsky et al., "Family Medicine Certification Review", 2007, p. 359):

Taking the drug with a light meal may reduce nausea. However, taking the medicine with a heavy meal or a meal with a large amount of protein should be avoided since protein can interfere with L-dopa absorption.

Did your doctor explain you what would be "a large amount of protein"? Since fat is more important than protein on Atkins, just redistributing your fat/carbs/protein intake throughout the day should work, imo.

I think you should check the "Atkins Food and Recipes" section of the Board to find some recipes that would suit your way of eating based on your doctor's recommendations regarding protein intake. If you are in Maintenance and have a relatively high CCLM, then I believe you can work your way around it.

I've copied some links below. One is to ADBB, the others are to external websites.

Atkins Food and Recipes - Atkins Diet
Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Home
Low Carb Luxury: A Complete Resource for the Low Carb Dieter.
Low Carb Diet Recipes

[Jennyxxx]

Re: Help needed for obliged change in diet

Thanks so much for that Georgiana!
I am in fact on what be maintenance, I must admit though I have never added many hi-carb foods back into my diet. I mainly stick to proteins-fats-salads and other veggies. I did not add fruit back into my diet as I don't tollerate it much stomach or intestine wise.
I think my Doc means that - as I have just started the meds - and they have to organise the cocktails/dosages - they need to see how I react -etc etc.
Therefore to avoid my usual protein/salad lunches for a while.
We can't get locarb pasta ecc in Italy (makes you laugh that you can get in the UK and USA and not here in Italy!!!)
I do have some flax and tha protein powder stuff so I could try making wraps etc - (I failed miserably last time I tried - they just bubbled in the frying pan and remained liquid.
I will definitely check out all those links

Thanks again

Jen

[liv]

Re: Help needed for obliged change in diet

There is a diet called the Optimal Diet that originated in Poland. It is not Atkins and does not use ketosis but it is a very high fat diet - relying a lot on dairy fats and a very low protein limit. Perhaps you could check out some of the things that they eat on that diet to see if you can get some ideas for breakfast foods and lunches that would be OK with your doctors.

[Jennyxxx]

Re: Help needed for obliged change in diet

Thank you Liv that's most interesting.
I will check out some menus (the website looks helpful) that I can add to my diet as I intend to remain Atkins-Orientated as far as possible.

Cheers
Jen

[sadie147]

Re: Help needed for obliged change in diet

I'd try introducing grains for sure...whole grain breads will be of huge help would imagine for their lower protein values. and add more variety of veggies.

What I really think you should do is discuss this with your Dr. perhaps he can give you some literatrue that will help or point you in the direction of a local support group, or even a nutritionist that will help you through this.

[Jennyxxx]

Re: Help needed for obliged change in diet

Hi Sadie - you are looking as good as ever!
Thanks a lot for your tips - I will indeed have to rethink the variety of foods I eat ..
I was so happy as I was that I never really came off extended induction I suppose.
But with the fact that I HAVE to do weight training in the gym at least 4 times a week plus swimming and walking - I will be able to up my intakes

Thanks again

Jenny

[sallyseachange]

Re: Help needed for obliged change in diet

Just popped in to give you a Jenny. So sorry to hear about your problems.

I'd ditto what Sadie says about whole grain breads and a variety of veggies. We're both certainly in the right place for great veggies.

Keep your chin up and keep us posted.

[Jennyxxx]

Re: Help needed for obliged change in diet

Hi Sally
So nice to 'read' you - hope you are well.
Thanks for the hug - It's all still very new to me and I am getting used to things day be day.
It is incredible how everthing can go haywire in just a few months - At Xmas I was basically - a few very rare symtoms
Now I have constant tremors in my right arm and leg - I cannot write any more (no signing Visas lol . With the slightest bit of stress (even shopping, meeting people haven't seen for a while etc) my rigth side shakes so much that my whole body shakes and it is quite awful! have to hold onto shop counters etc ... quite embarrassing.
Anyhow luckily the Brescia Neuro Division is one of the best - so they are looking after me well. Apparently Bologna has a very good specialist centre I might take a look at.
During the wait for diagnosis phase I was craving carbs - I put 2.5 kilos .. But now I am sort of getting used to the idea - and I am back on track eating wise.
Just the thought that everything is just going to get worse and worse is quite frightening ....
Apparently early onset PD can often be very aggressive and rapidly degenerating compared to standard OAP PD.
BUT - I have started going to the gym 4 times a week - and will start swimming lengths soon in the pool .... so I AM NOT going to let this thing take the upperhand .. If I build up my muscles I am sure I will easily get past the 5 year mark when they presume the rigidity and freezing will set in ...
I can beat that
Anyhow sorry for the long post :P I'm just so frantic at the moment ....
Are you eating any whole grain stuff you can suggest ?
I got some great foods in the UK at Xmas thru an online shop - they have 'piadine' with just 4 or 5 net carbs!! and they are good.
I might order a huge shipment :P
Take care

Jen

[Elizellen]

Re: Help needed for obliged change in diet

Sending you some big cyberhugs, Jen
And good wishes that your positive attitude and exercising helps ameliorate things for you.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Help needed for obliged change in diet

Hi Jenny! So glad to hear you've got good specialist centres near you.
Your positive attitude will be a tremendous help... positive thinking really works and it's amazing how thoughts become realities. Hang in there!
Sorry... I don't eat whole grain stuff very regularly... tend to avoid breads of any kind, even wholegrain, in favour of flax crackers etc. but you can certainly get "pane and pasta integrale" more or less everywhere in Italy... at least in the bigger supermarkets. You just need to be very careful with portion size. Lots of veggies will truly be your friends.

Do you like legumes? That could be another good lunch item, perhaps. Also be careful of portions.

I'm sure you're right that the exercise will be incredibly helpful for your condition.

Keep us posted!

[Slidesdownmountains]

Re: Help needed for obliged change in diet

Hey Jenny

All the very best of luck with your new meds and new eating plan - please let us know how you get on?

HUGS

[Jennyxxx]

Re: Help needed for obliged change in diet

Thanks Sally! and thanks also to Elizellen and Slidesdownmountains ..
I'm afraid my 'optimism' just got shot in the heart as over the last few days the tremors have progressed to my left leg.
And thank goodness this is defined as a SLOW progression disease !! I'd hate to have to deal with a fast one :
Anyhow I thought it might be nice for you know that people are recommending ATKINS DIETS on one of the Parkinson's Disease Forums.
So you are not only helping those who want to lose weight - but also those who are trying to find ways to deal with chronic diseases too!
I thought that was rather nice.

Hugs to you all

Jen