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Osteoporosis combined with IBS C and taking Calcium

Posted by susanew @susanew, Dec 4 7:40am

I have osteoporosis and IBS C. My problem is severe constipation when either taking calcium citrate or too much calcium in foods. I tried the Caltrate chewables, or eating cheese or drinking milk all with the same effect. I am on Fosamax now and was on Evenity prior and this has always been a constant problem. It is even worse now when using the calcium citrate. From being backed up, I have edema with pain and swelling in my right ankle. I an icing it and elevating. Eventually with this and Tylenol arthritis meds, the pain is relieved but after sleeping it is back again. So frustrating! Any suggestions?

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gigi4 | @gigi4 | Dec 7 8:36am

I became dehydrated and found I was constipated. It was recommended I hydrate well every day. Rule of thumb is for every cup of coffee have a glass of water, for every glass of alcohol have a glass of water. And make sure you add electrolytes to your water that add sodium, potassium calcium, magnesium chloride, bicarbonate and phosphate. If you feel hungry sometimes, it may not be that you need to eat but that your body needs more water.
Best to you!

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jw9 | @jw9 | Dec 7 11:17am
In reply to @wizdum "I have IBS-M ( with tendency to IBS-C) along with osteoporosis and low thyroid. I am..." + (show)
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I have IBS-M ( with tendency to IBS-C) along with osteoporosis and low thyroid. I am dairy free, so have to take calcium and vitamin D. I take calcium citrate at lunch with vit D. At dinner, I take more calcium along with a fish oil capsule. In the evening, about an hour before bed, I take magnesium glycinate. Its my understanding that the magnesium is best taken in the evening, and a couple hours apart from calcium. Vit. D and calcium are taken together, but I prefer to take all the D well before bedtime to avoid insomnia. I think the fish oil and magnesium are helpful with constipation. There are other forms of magnesium that can loosen the bowels more than glycinate, but you will have to research. Drinking Aloe Vera juice can help also with the constipation. Also, magnesium is generally recommended for osteoporosis and calcium absorption, but I understand they may compete if taken within 2 hrs. of each other.

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@wizdum
I'm glad you mentioned fish oils here! I have taken fish oils or flax seed oil for these very reasons. I also take them twice a day; morning and night with food. I have a diagnosis of Sjogrens Syndrome and found they not only help with IBS-C, they have helped me with dry eyes and dry mouth, lessening the chronic problems. Currently I prefer flax seed oil. For me personally, this has been more effective. We can compare notes on these boards, but each of us has an individual experience along with our physician's recommendation.
Thanks for your helpful post!

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jw9 | @jw9 | Dec 7 11:21am
In reply to @drsuefowler "AlgaeCal has worked so far for me with my IBS-C. I only take two a day,..." + (show)
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AlgaeCal has worked so far for me with my IBS-C. I only take two a day, because I get the rest of my calcium from food by eating yogurt, cheese, etc. AlgaeCal contains some Magnesium Oxide that helps with constipation. I also eat 6 prunes a day as recommended for osteoporosis. I am on a half dose of Tymlos and previously on Forteo, both of which seemed to contribute to constipation. The only problem with AlgaeCal is that it may have lead in it, but probably not a problem for an adult. I am regular for the first time in my life!

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@drsuefowler
My problem with AlgaeCal is I can't afford it!

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beachesanddreams | @beachesanddreams | Dec 7 11:39am
In reply to @drsuefowler "AlgaeCal has worked so far for me with my IBS-C. I only take two a day,..." + (show)
Profile picture for drsuefowler @drsuefowler

AlgaeCal has worked so far for me with my IBS-C. I only take two a day, because I get the rest of my calcium from food by eating yogurt, cheese, etc. AlgaeCal contains some Magnesium Oxide that helps with constipation. I also eat 6 prunes a day as recommended for osteoporosis. I am on a half dose of Tymlos and previously on Forteo, both of which seemed to contribute to constipation. The only problem with AlgaeCal is that it may have lead in it, but probably not a problem for an adult. I am regular for the first time in my life!

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@drsuefowler Yet another thing I just learned from you lovely ladies…6 prunes a day is recommended for osteoporosis? I had no idea! Why is that?

Can prune juice be substituted, do you know?

One more question, because honestly, two doctors couldn’t answer straight for me: should my daily calcium come ALL from food, or a combination of food and supplement?

I’ve cut back to one supplement a day and am tracking my calcium intake for two weeks now. I can get between 1,000-1,100 from food alone, with a 600 mg supplement (and that might be too much). Any advice here is appreciated, because as I said, all I get is vague replies.

Thank you!

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drsuefowler | @drsuefowler | Dec 7 1:06pm
In reply to @beachesanddreams "@drsuefowler Yet another thing I just learned from you lovely ladies…6 prunes a day is recommended..." + (show)
Profile picture for beachesanddreams @beachesanddreams

@drsuefowler Yet another thing I just learned from you lovely ladies…6 prunes a day is recommended for osteoporosis? I had no idea! Why is that?

Can prune juice be substituted, do you know?

One more question, because honestly, two doctors couldn’t answer straight for me: should my daily calcium come ALL from food, or a combination of food and supplement?

I’ve cut back to one supplement a day and am tracking my calcium intake for two weeks now. I can get between 1,000-1,100 from food alone, with a 600 mg supplement (and that might be too much). Any advice here is appreciated, because as I said, all I get is vague replies.

Thank you!

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@beachesanddreams A study found that women with osteoporosis who ate 5-7 prunes a day had better bone density than those who didn't. Prune juice would be similar, but you don't get the fiber you get with prunes. Both have vitamin K, potassium, boron, minerals and phenolic compounds.

Of course, 1200 mg of calcium is recommended per day. You should get as much as you can from food, then supplement. I had to lower my amount of calcium when taking Tymlos or Forteo, because they increase the calcium amount in your blood. I had too much calcium in my urine and was having side effects from calcium.

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beachesanddreams | @beachesanddreams | Dec 7 8:01pm
In reply to @drsuefowler "@beachesanddreams A study found that women with osteoporosis who ate 5-7 prunes a day had better..." + (show)
Profile picture for drsuefowler @drsuefowler

@beachesanddreams A study found that women with osteoporosis who ate 5-7 prunes a day had better bone density than those who didn't. Prune juice would be similar, but you don't get the fiber you get with prunes. Both have vitamin K, potassium, boron, minerals and phenolic compounds.

Of course, 1200 mg of calcium is recommended per day. You should get as much as you can from food, then supplement. I had to lower my amount of calcium when taking Tymlos or Forteo, because they increase the calcium amount in your blood. I had too much calcium in my urine and was having side effects from calcium.

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@drsuefowler Thanks so much for this detailed reply. I’ll be sure to pick some prunes up tomorrow.

I figure if I’m getting the 1,000-1,100 mg of calcium from food every day (calcium fortified OJ and coconut milk are the real powerhouses), then perhaps I’ll cut my calcium supplement in half and take 300 mg that way.

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drsuefowler | @drsuefowler | Dec 8 4:45am
In reply to @beachesanddreams "@drsuefowler Thanks so much for this detailed reply. I’ll be sure to pick some prunes up..." + (show)
Profile picture for beachesanddreams @beachesanddreams

@drsuefowler Thanks so much for this detailed reply. I’ll be sure to pick some prunes up tomorrow.

I figure if I’m getting the 1,000-1,100 mg of calcium from food every day (calcium fortified OJ and coconut milk are the real powerhouses), then perhaps I’ll cut my calcium supplement in half and take 300 mg that way.

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@beachesanddreams Sounds like a good plan. Good luck to you!

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | Dec 8 12:48pm

AlgaeCal is expensive…it has a fair amount of magnesium in it, so it might help moving the bowels…. There are other plant-based formulas that cost less, most available on Amazon…i happen to like New Chapter tiny tabs , so I only take 4 of the 6 recommended… (I have to admit that a diet heavy on prunes and bone-in sardines is not my ideal)…anyway, I eat a half an apple and a dried apricot every day and that moves things pretty well for me…broccoli with parmesan cheese is a tasty addition to calcium intake….if you can tolerate dairy, ricotta cheese half-skim is very high in calcium…it’s bland by itself so you can add things into it… i love suggestions that I read here..thanks, all !

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