Calcium and other drugs

[Guest guest]

<< I am supposed to be taking 1500 MG of calcium with vit. D

daily, three times a day of 500 MG each with food. >>

Prednisone causes bone loss and anyone taking it should probably be taking

that much calcium daily. Postmenopausal women need it even more, especially

if they are not taking an estrogen supplement. If you eat snacks with your

meds of non-fat cottage cheese, yogurt and other non-fat dairy products you

can probably get by with less but the vitamin D is also important.

One CAUTION about CALCIUM. There are some medicines that you should not

take with calcium because the calcium interferes with their absorption.

Make sure that you discuss this with your doc and learn if and how long you

should wait

after taking a given med before taking calcium 500s/D.

Also ask your doc what kind of calcium he prefers for best absorption. They

all like Os-Cal but it is the most expensive. Calcium citrate is also OK

for drug store brands per my Rheumy. Some of the off brands may not absorb

as well so be sure that you match the ingredients on a label to the

ingredients on something like Os-Cal.

I think I read somewhere that you need calcium to prevent muscle cramps and

for good heart function, too -- not sure about that.

H. >>

[Guest guest]

Pete takes Caltrate with Vit D--someone in the group told me about the

importance of the " D " Janet

[Guest guest]

H,

My Primary told me to take Tums with calcium!!! This was while I was on the

Pred. My Rheumy just told me to take 1500 mgs of calcium a day, period.

I'm assuming she meant a vitamin here.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Also ask your doc what kind of calcium he prefers for best absorption. They

all like Os-Cal but it is the most expensive. Calcium citrate is also OK

for drug store brands per my Rheumy. Some of the off brands may not absorb

as well so be sure that you match the ingredients on a label to the

ingredients on something like Os-Cal.

I think I read somewhere that you need calcium to prevent muscle cramps and

for good heart function, too -- not sure about that.

H. >>