@Hi, Teresa. No, not much treatment, I think, other than tape to the next toe. Except that I am concerned about losing calcium in my bones. That is the norm in most forms of Amyloidosis, especially hATTRwt. We shall see.
Hi @oldkarl, are you taking any calcium supplements? I’m supposed to take 1200 mg daily but I’ve stopped it because it binds me up pretty good. I have been thinking of trying the calcium chews as I’ve heard they are better and don’t cause the constipation that the standard pills do. In the mean time I’ve add collegen to my daily routine which is good for the joints, nails, and hair (as if I had any to worry about!). I know it’s really helped with the fingernails and toenails. I’ve even gotten my wife on it. I use the Great Lakes, Collagen Hydrolysate Gelatin which mixes pretty well in cold water.
@johnbishop Thanx, John. I am waiting for a callback, but I am pretty sure I will be taking calcium, as mine is below standard reference range, and going down. The constipation bit worries me as I alternate between constipation and diarrhea, about every 4 days. Standard for Amy.
Hi old karl and john – Please don’t count on the “jelly” variety of calcium to be less of a constipation-er (medical term)! I looked for a long time to find a tasty calcium jelly that would be both candy and good for me. I experienced the constipation almost immediately. My mother, on the other hand (she died at nearly 102) took the regular old whopping big calcium pills most of her life and never had a problem with it. This tells me it may be an individual thing but she usually had a cup of strong coffee in the morning and had to stop that ’cause it gave her the “trots” – so who knows? Might try several different permutations of the calcium &/or coffee…. hmmmm?
Hi old karl and john – Please don’t count on the “jelly” variety of calcium to be less of a constipation-er (medical term)! I looked for a long time to find a tasty calcium jelly that would be both candy and good for me. I experienced the constipation almost immediately. My mother, on the other hand (she died at nearly 102) took the regular old whopping big calcium pills most of her life and never had a problem with it. This tells me it may be an individual thing but she usually had a cup of strong coffee in the morning and had to stop that ’cause it gave her the “trots” – so who knows? Might try several different permutations of the calcium &/or coffee…. hmmmm?
Thanks Mary (@mfobrien36) – appreciate the info. I have some of those my wife bought awhile back and I was going to try them. Her sister who is an RN swears by the ones that are “carmel chews” with calcium and D3. I don’t normally like the sugary stuff because I’m trying to avoid any extra sugars where possible. I may just need to take the calcium tabs and down them with a glass of sugar free Metamucil. ☺ I do drink lots of coffee during the day.
Hi old karl and john – Please don’t count on the “jelly” variety of calcium to be less of a constipation-er (medical term)! I looked for a long time to find a tasty calcium jelly that would be both candy and good for me. I experienced the constipation almost immediately. My mother, on the other hand (she died at nearly 102) took the regular old whopping big calcium pills most of her life and never had a problem with it. This tells me it may be an individual thing but she usually had a cup of strong coffee in the morning and had to stop that ’cause it gave her the “trots” – so who knows? Might try several different permutations of the calcium &/or coffee…. hmmmm?
Hey, John @johnbishop – A tablespoon or 2 of Lactulose at bedtime keeps things moving during the day. Usually just one tbsp, unless I’m taking an additional, temporary constipating med, at which time I take more. We’ve been taking calcium supplement for years. Coffee until around 2. I have learned that I have a bowel movement earlier and more easily if I move around for awhile, especially motions like bending over.
When you get socks, are they like 13-15? And are they still amply big after washing? If you have some that actually remain larger? ;Brand?
Hi old karl and john – Please don’t count on the “jelly” variety of calcium to be less of a constipation-er (medical term)! I looked for a long time to find a tasty calcium jelly that would be both candy and good for me. I experienced the constipation almost immediately. My mother, on the other hand (she died at nearly 102) took the regular old whopping big calcium pills most of her life and never had a problem with it. This tells me it may be an individual thing but she usually had a cup of strong coffee in the morning and had to stop that ’cause it gave her the “trots” – so who knows? Might try several different permutations of the calcium &/or coffee…. hmmmm?
Hi Jim (@jimhd), I’ll have to try the Lactulose – I’ve never seen/heard of it. Is that a generic name or product? I’m not a regular guy (pun intended ☺) but I do drink a lot of coffee and ride my exercise bike for 30 minutes most mornings as soon as I jump out of bed at 5 am and feed the cats.
I did a search on Amazon to find the largest loose fitting socks I could find and bought some white short ankle socks for wearing at night and some black regular size ones and some calf high ones for daytime.
Hi old karl and john – Please don’t count on the “jelly” variety of calcium to be less of a constipation-er (medical term)! I looked for a long time to find a tasty calcium jelly that would be both candy and good for me. I experienced the constipation almost immediately. My mother, on the other hand (she died at nearly 102) took the regular old whopping big calcium pills most of her life and never had a problem with it. This tells me it may be an individual thing but she usually had a cup of strong coffee in the morning and had to stop that ’cause it gave her the “trots” – so who knows? Might try several different permutations of the calcium &/or coffee…. hmmmm?
Hi old karl and john – Please don’t count on the “jelly” variety of calcium to be less of a constipation-er (medical term)! I looked for a long time to find a tasty calcium jelly that would be both candy and good for me. I experienced the constipation almost immediately. My mother, on the other hand (she died at nearly 102) took the regular old whopping big calcium pills most of her life and never had a problem with it. This tells me it may be an individual thing but she usually had a cup of strong coffee in the morning and had to stop that ’cause it gave her the “trots” – so who knows? Might try several different permutations of the calcium &/or coffee…. hmmmm?
Hi old karl and john – Please don’t count on the “jelly” variety of calcium to be less of a constipation-er (medical term)! I looked for a long time to find a tasty calcium jelly that would be both candy and good for me. I experienced the constipation almost immediately. My mother, on the other hand (she died at nearly 102) took the regular old whopping big calcium pills most of her life and never had a problem with it. This tells me it may be an individual thing but she usually had a cup of strong coffee in the morning and had to stop that ’cause it gave her the “trots” – so who knows? Might try several different permutations of the calcium &/or coffee…. hmmmm?
@johnbishop – thanks for the links. I use a generic called Generlac. It’s a sweet syrup that I think tastes pretty good, though I do find that eating a chocolate chip cookie first (or something else chocolate) makes it taste even better. But everything is better with chocolate, in my opinion.
Hi old karl and john – Please don’t count on the “jelly” variety of calcium to be less of a constipation-er (medical term)! I looked for a long time to find a tasty calcium jelly that would be both candy and good for me. I experienced the constipation almost immediately. My mother, on the other hand (she died at nearly 102) took the regular old whopping big calcium pills most of her life and never had a problem with it. This tells me it may be an individual thing but she usually had a cup of strong coffee in the morning and had to stop that ’cause it gave her the “trots” – so who knows? Might try several different permutations of the calcium &/or coffee…. hmmmm?
Hi old karl and john – Please don’t count on the “jelly” variety of calcium to be less of a constipation-er (medical term)! I looked for a long time to find a tasty calcium jelly that would be both candy and good for me. I experienced the constipation almost immediately. My mother, on the other hand (she died at nearly 102) took the regular old whopping big calcium pills most of her life and never had a problem with it. This tells me it may be an individual thing but she usually had a cup of strong coffee in the morning and had to stop that ’cause it gave her the “trots” – so who knows? Might try several different permutations of the calcium &/or coffee…. hmmmm?
Create an account to connect with other patients and caregivers like you. Ask questions, get answers, and give and get support. Also follow blogs from Mayo Clinic experts.
MayoClinic.org
Hi @oldkarl, are you taking any calcium supplements? I’m supposed to take 1200 mg daily but I’ve stopped it because it binds me up pretty good. I have been thinking of trying the calcium chews as I’ve heard they are better and don’t cause the constipation that the standard pills do. In the mean time I’ve add collegen to my daily routine which is good for the joints, nails, and hair (as if I had any to worry about!). I know it’s really helped with the fingernails and toenails. I’ve even gotten my wife on it. I use the Great Lakes, Collagen Hydrolysate Gelatin which mixes pretty well in cold water.
John
@johnbishop Thanx, John. I am waiting for a callback, but I am pretty sure I will be taking calcium, as mine is below standard reference range, and going down. The constipation bit worries me as I alternate between constipation and diarrhea, about every 4 days. Standard for Amy.
Hi old karl and john – Please don’t count on the “jelly” variety of calcium to be less of a constipation-er (medical term)! I looked for a long time to find a tasty calcium jelly that would be both candy and good for me. I experienced the constipation almost immediately. My mother, on the other hand (she died at nearly 102) took the regular old whopping big calcium pills most of her life and never had a problem with it. This tells me it may be an individual thing but she usually had a cup of strong coffee in the morning and had to stop that ’cause it gave her the “trots” – so who knows? Might try several different permutations of the calcium &/or coffee…. hmmmm?
@mfobrien36 Thanx for the advice, Mary. Maybe the big pill is like cleaning a shotgun with a big rag. It just pushes everything on out?
Thanks Mary (@mfobrien36) – appreciate the info. I have some of those my wife bought awhile back and I was going to try them. Her sister who is an RN swears by the ones that are “carmel chews” with calcium and D3. I don’t normally like the sugary stuff because I’m trying to avoid any extra sugars where possible. I may just need to take the calcium tabs and down them with a glass of sugar free Metamucil. ☺ I do drink lots of coffee during the day.
John
Hey, John @johnbishop – A tablespoon or 2 of Lactulose at bedtime keeps things moving during the day. Usually just one tbsp, unless I’m taking an additional, temporary constipating med, at which time I take more. We’ve been taking calcium supplement for years. Coffee until around 2. I have learned that I have a bowel movement earlier and more easily if I move around for awhile, especially motions like bending over.
When you get socks, are they like 13-15? And are they still amply big after washing? If you have some that actually remain larger? ;Brand?
Jim
Hi Jim (@jimhd), I’ll have to try the Lactulose – I’ve never seen/heard of it. Is that a generic name or product? I’m not a regular guy (pun intended ☺) but I do drink a lot of coffee and ride my exercise bike for 30 minutes most mornings as soon as I jump out of bed at 5 am and feed the cats.
I did a search on Amazon to find the largest loose fitting socks I could find and bought some white short ankle socks for wearing at night and some black regular size ones and some calf high ones for daytime.
Here is the link for the white ones size 13 to 15: (12 pair for $15.50)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N3JOH1I/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Here is the link for the black ones size 13 to 15: (12 pair for $19.00)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IFVG6U/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1
They say “King Size” and do fit OK but not what I call King Size. I wear a size 14 D but could probably use a little wider in a shoe.
John
@johnbishop
I think that Lactulose is the same thing as OTC MiraLax.
Teresa
Walmart has the same thing by another name which I have forgotten, but is half the price of Miralax.
@johnbishop – thanks for the links. I use a generic called Generlac. It’s a sweet syrup that I think tastes pretty good, though I do find that eating a chocolate chip cookie first (or something else chocolate) makes it taste even better. But everything is better with chocolate, in my opinion.
Jim
Yes it does…taste better with chocolate!
@jimhd and @johnbishop
I still can’t understand why chocolate isn’t considered one of the food groups!
Teresa