diff --git a/foodie_utils.py b/foodie_utils.py
index ddb59b5..550051e 100644
--- a/foodie_utils.py
+++ b/foodie_utils.py
@@ -1182,7 +1182,7 @@ def check_author_rate_limit(author, max_tweets=17, tweet_window_seconds=86400):
     # Load rate limit info
     rate_limit_info = load_json_file(rate_limit_file, default={})
     
-    # Get script run ID (set at startup in foodie_automator_rss.py)
+    # Get script run ID
     if not hasattr(check_author_rate_limit, "script_run_id"):
         check_author_rate_limit.script_run_id = int(current_time)
         logger.info(f"Set script_run_id to {check_author_rate_limit.script_run_id}")
@@ -1308,8 +1308,29 @@ def get_x_rate_limit_status(author):
         headers = response.headers
 
         # Extract app-level rate limit info from headers
-        remaining = int(headers.get('x-rate-limit-remaining', 0))
-        reset = int(headers.get('x-rate-limit-reset', 0))
+        remaining_str = headers.get('x-rate-limit-remaining')
+        reset_str = headers.get('x-rate-limit-reset')
+        if remaining_str is None or reset_str is None:
+            logger.error(f"Rate limit headers missing for {username}: {headers}")
+            return None, None
+
+        try:
+            remaining = int(remaining_str)
+            reset = int(reset_str)
+        except ValueError as e:
+            logger.error(f"Failed to parse rate limit headers for {username}: remaining={remaining_str}, reset={reset_str}, error={e}")
+            return None, None
+
+        # Validate remaining tweets
+        if remaining < 0 or remaining > 17:  # Free tier max is 17
+            logger.warning(f"Invalid remaining tweets for {username}: {remaining}. Capping at 17.")
+            remaining = min(remaining, 17)
+
+        # Ensure reset is in the future
+        current_time = int(time.time())
+        if reset <= current_time:
+            logger.warning(f"Reset time {reset} is in the past for {username}. Setting to 24 hours from now.")
+            reset = current_time + 86400  # 24 hours
 
         if response.status_code == 201:
             # Delete the test tweet