Calcium Question

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-01-2004
Calcium Question
3
Mon, 02-27-2006 - 1:31pm
I came to this board several years ago after my husband had his gall bladder removed. I read many of your posts about taking calcium to help with the diahrea that he experienced after surgery. Thank you, it has really helped. The problem is for me now. I take calcium for mild osteoporosis and find it to be very constipating. What worked for him is working against me!!!! Does anyone have any ideas on how to counter this problem or a type of calcium to take? Thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: dor4
Mon, 02-27-2006 - 7:52pm

Hi dor4 - I'm glad that the calcium is helping dh with his post GB surgery. . .ummm - symptoms.


Are you drinking enough water and eating enough fiber? Does increasing those make a difference? For some people just increasing your fruit / veggie intake does it - but as this old body of mine is ageing I've found that if I don't have a bowl of all bran cereal each day things just aren't moving as they should be.


I'm sure others will have more suggestions,


Jo

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2003
In reply to: dor4
Tue, 02-28-2006 - 9:01pm

dor4,

Your solution may be changing the form and the ingredients in the calcium you need to take. If you read the solution for diarrhea you may notice it tells you to stay away from magneium because it adds to the diarrhea. Also calcium carbonate is very binding that is why it helps with diarrhea. So your answer is to change to calcium citrate with magnesium. You should find a version of calcium that has a 2 to 1 ratio of calcium to magnesium. Something like 333MG calcium and 133MG magnesium. That way you get the calcium and the magnesium helps to keep things moving. You can also just get a magnesium supplement if that should not do the trick. But first try the combnation of calcium citrate form with magnesium.

I hope this helps. I am the one who usually post the calcium info for diarrhea and I do not have the constipation problem even taking 3 a day so it may be a little trial and error to find an amount of magnesium that will keep you moving.

Linda

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-01-2004
In reply to: dor4
Wed, 03-01-2006 - 9:45am
Thank you so, so much. Exactly the answer I was looking for. Now I know what to look for. Thanks and have a great day! Dor