RE: Calcium Supplements/gastric bypass

[Guest guest]

Anyone who has had gastric bypass must take DRY Vit D. The regular stuff is

oil-based and won't help us. You can go to http://www.vitalady.com to get

anything that a gastric bypass patient would need as far as vitamins and

protein. If you don't want to purchase from Vitalady, or don't like

purchasing over the internet, whatever, her site is still a great place to

go and see what brands or types of vitamins are good for us. I get the

powdered calcium and the Bariatric Advantage chewable calcium citrate from

her. As far as I know she is the only one who sells the 50000 IU dry Vit D.

Many places sell dry D in lower doses, but she made arrangements with the

manufacturer (BioTech) to sell the 50000IU dose. Just remember the

prescription Vit D won't help us at all. It is the oil-based Vit D.

As for the Citracal Chewables...they are the ones that are like fudge? My

local pharmacy carries them, but you can probably find them on the internet

if you can't find them locally.

Chrissie

[ ] Calcium Supplements was UPDATE - Lou

Chrissie,

Where have you found the powdered Calcium Citrate? I really enjoyed the

Citracal Chewables but they appear to have either discontinued them or at

least are not readily available in my area. I have switched to Citracal

Petites. I take 6 per day (2 tablets with breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

I am also Vitamin D deficient. I am currently taking 50000IU twice weekly

and will be retested after 4 months. My bariatric surgeon does not test for

this but after my communication with him about the problems I am having, he

is going to start. I am currently taking 50000IU twice a week for 2 months

and then will be retested in 4 to see if I am maintaining the levels.

I cannot stress enough for all gastic bypass patients to follow up with your

annual appointments and bloodwork with your surgeon. I also have copies of

EVERYTHING I have done sent to my surgeon. I am one of those who has had

nothing but problem after problem after their surgery (03/05). My first year

out was HORRIBLE and then I had maybe 6 good months and then I got the flu

11/06 and have not been the same since....... My surgeon has worked hand in

hand with all of my doctors to ensure that he knows what is going on as well

as.... " Was this an after-effect of gastric bypass surgery? " He is a

wonderful surgeon with an exceptional bedside manner.

*~ Kami ~*

RE: [ ] UPDATE - Lou

There are other forms of calcium you can use. I use powdered Calcium

Citrate

and also chewable. Bariatric Advantage makes a delicious cinnamon chewable

Calcium Citrate. I think they also come in chocolate.

And, , the PTH test should be done on you, like was suggested. Your

parathyroid will kick in when calcium is low in your blood, in order to

pull

calcium from your bones. I believe in your case you already have

osteoporosis, don't you? So there probably isn't a lot of calcium that can

be pulled from them, so you are dropping way too low in your bloodstream.

How is your Vit D level? If that is low, then no matter how much calcium

you

take, you won't be able to absorb it. I have to take 50000IU per day of

dry

D now. That is a humongous amount, but some of us (gastric bypass

patients)

need 100000-200000Iu per day to get the D levels to even mid-range.

Chrissie

.