Calcium questions -- for the experts, the experienced, and anyone else who can shed light
#322901 - 01/21/08 05:05 PM
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caputsky
Reged: 03/24/07
Posts: 256
Loc: Baltimore, MD
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Hi everyone,
So I just had a visit with my GI today because I have been experiencing a vast difference in my symptoms lately. One of my major symptoms is increased gas, and it has unpleasant odor. Anyway, my doctor asked me if I take any calcium supplements. Currently, I am taking 600 mg of calcium carbonate twice a day. This is due to not only the fact that I've read on this website that it is supposed to help those with IBS-D, but also because osteoporosis runs high in the women of my family. When I told him that, he said that it could be contributing to my excess gas because I am on acid reflux medication (Prevacid) and therefore this would cause the calcium to not be absorbed properly and could result in this symptom. He suggested that instead I try calcium citrate, which is much more easily absorbed by the body. However, from reading the posts on this website (I did a search) most say that calcium citrate is supposed to help with IBS-C people, and I'm afraid what it will do to me since I am a D person. At the same time, when I googled calcium citrate, a few sites listed constipation as a possible side effect. So I'm confused as to the conflicting information?  I really need to get a handle on this gas, but I don't want the D to come back with a vengeance if I decide to try the citrate. Does anyone have any information or advice? Thanks so much in advance!
Julie
IBS-D, GERD, lactose intolerant
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"We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it."
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"We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it."
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Since being diagnosed with IBS last summer and also with mild bone thinning (I am 57), I have tried to find a calcium supplement that doesn't bring back D with a vengeance. I am soy and lactose intolerant and I can't deal with citrus. So far I have been totally unsuccessful in finding a suitable calcium supplement--I even tried a liquid derived from coral and it gave me cramps and D! I am currently working with a dietician to attempt to get my calcium through my diet. I drink Almond and Rice Milk daily, eat rice cheese daily and I also eat rice yogurt and use rice sour cream--all are enriched with calcium. Some other foods have some calcium in them--like canned salmon with bones. I am hoping that I will not have lost ground when I get my bone scan done later this year. If I have then I will have to do something more to get calcium. Good luck to you and if you find something that works post it so I will know. Thanks.
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IBS-D, Gas & Bloating
Barbara50
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I ahve been taking calcuim with magaesium and been doing fine with it! hopet. his helps?
emmasmom ibs-c
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Hi there,
Do you know if the calcium with the magnesium is calcium carbonate or calcium citrate? Thanks!
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"We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it."
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Julie,
I too am IBS-D and have not had any success finding a calcium I could take - until 2 weeks ago! I was told that liquid OR chewables are the best because you can take less since it is more easily absorbed by the body. I can not take calcium carbonate - it gives me cramps and gas bad. So I got Citracal Creamy Bites - they are calcium citrate and it says right on the box "does not cause gas." I was skeptical, but I ate a half of one only for a few days with no problems, and then tried 1/2 after lunch and the other half after dinner - still no problems! They each contain 500mg of calcium so if I eat one of those and drink a glass or two of rice milk a day, I'm doing pretty good. They taste pretty good too - several flavors like chocolate, caramel, lemon. I got mine at the drug store, but they are cheaper at drugstore.com.
So maybe you could try that!
Lori
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