Wrong Calcium

[sraebaer]

Just realized I've been unknowingly taking Calcium Carbonate instead of Calcium Citrate for 7 months now. When mom passed away she left a ton of unopened, unexpired bottles, and I just started taking it. (Obviously with our reading the label!)

Do you think I caused any damage? Anyone know why we are told to take the citrate and not the carbonate?

Thanks medical people! Off to but the right stuff.

[Sandra3]

Calcium carbonate is the one used in antiacid, I took those for like 2 years...I was ok. You should be fine too.

Some studies say that the citrate is more bioavailable than carbonate, in others they say that there no real difference in the bone markers (of bone resorption in post-menopausal women).

Basically, I had several point of view, depending on which (uni) class I was taking!

At the end, my surgeon said : no worries, check your D vitamin level (I'm almost always deficient whatever dosage I take, I need real sun), that's more important, and also the parathyroid hormone, that should tell you more...

[sraebaer]

Well my blood work did come back fine. I was just hoping it didn't damage my stomach in any way like taking NSAIDS or something.
..

[Katrina]

I take NSAIDS every day despite knowing the risk. What blows me away is how doctors keep prescribing them even when I tell them about weightloss surgery. They dont think it's a big deal. My daughter's doctor just tried to prescribe her some on Monday, but I wouldn't allow it. She did call in a topical NSAID and said that since it's only topical that it won't hurt the stomach. From what I've read this is false. I'm under the impression that it still irritates the stomach no matter what method it enters the body. I have to take that risk because I can't live with the pain from my neck that causes severe migraines. I do not feel like my daughter needs to take that risk when she's already got so many issues as it is.

[Dutchie]

About those NSAIDS: my surgeon had never heard of the problems that seem to happen when taking them. lol
In the Netherlands people are scared to death to take them, even the band aids with the gel are a no-go...
So... as always, the truth will be somewhere in the middle?
You can take them, if necessary, but with precaution?

But about the calcium: I have taken these carbonate things from the start, because I could not find the proper ones.
No problems here and the blood work was always good.

[Christie13]

I was told we take the citrate because our body can't absorb and process the carbonate as well. It will not hurt you. You just weren't getting as much out of it. Lots of people take calcium carbonate the whole time because they are not advised properly by their surgeon's office.

[Sandra3]

I take NSAIDS every day despite knowing the risk. What blows me away is how doctors keep prescribing them even when I tell them about weightloss surgery. They dont think it's a big deal. My daughter's doctor just tried to prescribe her some on Monday, but I wouldn't allow it. She did call in a topical NSAID and said that since it's only topical that it won't hurt the stomach. From what I've read this is false. I'm under the impression that it still irritates the stomach no matter what method it enters the body. I have to take that risk because I can't live with the pain from my neck that causes severe migraines. I do not feel like my daughter needs to take that risk when she's already got so many issues as it is.

You are doing the right thing advocating for your daughter!
Truth is many doctors don't know much about medication and their sides effects. You are completely right and even the gel version (usually called Voltaren) is very strong and can trigger many issues especially for people already sick.

I had a prescription for the gel when I had my double knee tendinitis in 2017. It did help a lot because I couldn't walk at all but I used it only three times, then switched to natural remedies. Each time I used the gel, It did accelerate my heart bit, and I was feeling dizzy and like drunk. Really weird. I did check the side effects and yes the gel version can be really dangerous, even get you a heart attack! I'm always careful with medication since I have so many allergies but because it was a topical gel I didn't think too much about it, until I did experienced each time some strong side effect. And I didn't apply much! the size of a dime on each knee!
So you did great here!

What you can try is homeopathy. No side effects,no interaction with meds, and many people are not believers but as I always say, it doesn't cost much, it won't affect your health so it's worth trying. For many people it does help, depending on the issue. I use it for my kid (and me) for example Arnicare gel (lab boiron) help with pain and bruises, and you can take arnicare arthritis in tablets (also Boiron), to give an extra help.

Depending on what is your daughter issues, there is also plants (for example harpagophytum, curcuma) or or essential oils (for example wintergreen) you can use. But for those you need to check if it can go with her meds.

Also animal oil does work for pain : Emu oil works well for joints. You can eat it and or apply it.

Let me know if you want pointers, because for plants and essential oil it's always better to be careful. I'm currently taking a class where we are learning about how to combine natural remedies (and be safe) with meds.

[sraebaer]

I take NSAIDS every day despite knowing the risk. What blows me away is how doctors keep prescribing them even when I tell them about weightloss surgery. They dont think it's a big deal. My daughter's doctor just tried to prescribe her some on Monday, but I wouldn't allow it. She did call in a topical NSAID and said that since it's only topical that it won't hurt the stomach. From what I've read this is false. I'm under the impression that it still irritates the stomach no matter what method it enters the body. I have to take that risk because I can't live with the pain from my neck that causes severe migraines. I do not feel like my daughter needs to take that risk when she's already got so many issues as it is.

Just be sure to take with food. I guess that's even on the label, but who reads all that fine print.