Absorb Plus

Linda in BC · Post by **Linda in BC** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 9:29 am

Rich;
There was link posted on here a couple of weeks ago to a post on an ibd forum that talked about taking Caltrate Plus to firm up stools. Many people on there claimed it worked. She said to take one tab with each meal (three a day). BTW, I have looked in two drug stores here and neither had the product!!
Not much time to respond to your other questions. It is thanksgiving long weekend here and I have to leave soon, but in a nut shell, all hospital and doctor appointments, surgery and the like are covered under our provincial healthcare plans, but not prescriptions. For prescription coverage you need a private plan, or if you are a senior or on Income Assistance ( welfare), they are covered. A lot of jobs have those as benefits, like your wife's, or people can purchase a private plan but they are very expensive. The rest of us just pay out of pocket.

Linda

hoosier1 · Post by **hoosier1** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 11:31 am

Thanks for the info Linda on the Caltrate. I'm giving it a go.

Interesting that your meds aren't covered under the Canadian Healthcare plan. But that is similar to our Medicare in the US. I guess there is no perfect insurance plan.

Take care and have a good Thanksgiving.

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 11:43 am

Hi Rich,

Sorry you're having trouble again - it's quite a struggle isn't it? Changing your lifestyle, which is what it amounts to, is certainly not an easy thing to do. I also get so incredibly discouraged when I have flares and don't know why. Anyhow, thought I'd comment on Pepto since I take it quite frequently (last time was only yesterday). It really seems to work for me to get me through rough spots - today I'm feeling pretty good again.

About 3 years ago I tried the so called Pepto cure, which was 3 tablets (not the chewables) 3 times a day. I can't remember how long I stayed on them, but as I'm sure you've guessed, it was no "cure" for me. I would suggest that instead of trying this extreme regimen, you try to take a few (may be 3) when having a flare, and seeing what happens. Then sort of feel your way to what you want to do next, i.e. take another dose, or not. IOW, see what your reaction is and take it from there. One thing to know about is that your stools will turn black, and if you do the chewables, which is not recommended, then your tongue will turn black as well:).

Lots of luck to you with this illusive condition - have a feeling that we'll both be with the PP for a long time to come:) - there is strength in numbers!!!

Warm regards,
Kari

Post by **tex** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 3:37 pm

Kari wrote:One thing to know about is that your stools will turn black

And if you're having an all-out flare, it will amount to black water.

The original recommended treatment, (developed by Dr. Kenneth Fine, about 12 to 15 years ago), was 8 or 9 tablets per day, for 8 weeks, in combination with the GF diet. Without the diet, a relapse can be expected. Most GI doctors forget to mention the need for the GF diet, of course, since they don't believe that diet has anything to do with MC.

Tex,

That is the exact Calcium tablets that I purchased. What dosage are others taking?

Marsha, (artteacher), is a big proponent of Caltrate. Here is a post describing her treatment program:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... t=caltrate

Tex

Linda in BC · Post by **Linda in BC** » Sun Oct 10, 2010 10:15 pm

Hi Tex;
Isn't that interesting about the doctors forgetting to mention the diet part of the pepto treatment. That is exactly what happened to me. I was told about it 4 or maybe 5 years ago, by a GI doctor but he didn't say one word about diet. Had I done it in conjunction with diet, who knows what results I might have had.

Linda

ant · Post by **ant** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:22 am

ditto

wonderwoman · Post by **wonderwoman** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 8:15 am

Someone here said they couldn't find Caltrate when they shopped for it. Yesterday in our CVS drugstore flier there was an ad for Caltrate 600-D on sale for $9.99. I don't know if CVS is in all states. I haven't checked on line for a price so don't know if that is a good price or not for 100 or 120 pills depending upon the formula (Caltrate D-600 or the Caltrate D-600 Plus).

Linda in BC · Post by **Linda in BC** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 8:41 am

Thanks Charlotte. It was me, but I am in a small, small town in rural Canada.

wonderwoman · Post by **wonderwoman** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:07 am

I have read for several years articles that say not to take calcium with other prescriptions. In searching the internet I found these

Don't take with: Any other medicine until 2 hours have passed since taking calcium.

Don't take within 2 hours of any other medicine you take by mouth.

Because calcium can interfere with the absorption of other drugs, do not take other medications within 2 hours of taking calcium.

When should I take calcium supplements? Does the timing matter?

Answer
from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
In general, you can take calcium supplements at any time during the day. But there are several factors to consider that may affect the timing of taking calcium supplements, including how much you take, other medications you may take and the form of calcium supplement you take (check the product label).

Dosage. Calcium is absorbed most efficiently when it's taken in amounts of 500 or 600 milligrams (mg) or less at one time. If you take 1,000 mg of calcium a day, split it into two or more doses over the course of the day.
Medications. Calcium supplements can interact with many different prescription medications, including antibiotics, bisphosphonates and high blood pressure medications. You may need to take calcium supplements several hours before or after taking your medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions between calcium supplements and medications you're taking to make sure you time the doses correctly.
Calcium carbonate. If your calcium supplements contain calcium carbonate, take them with food. Stomach acid produced while eating helps the absorption of calcium carbonate.
Calcium citrate. If your calcium supplements contain calcium citrate, you can take them with or without food.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/calciu ... ts/AN01428

Calcium containers always say to take with food. I take my thyroid RX & my 1 Entocort immediately upon getting up in the morning and then have coffee. During the day I take my multiple vitamin & my vitamin D & vitamin B just before eating the meal and then about 15 minutes after I have eaten I take a calcium. I take 3 calcium and 3 vitamin D a day.

I am posting this in the event others here are taking calcium at the same time as their prescriptions.
For those taking calcium before bed, make sure it is calcium citrate, unless you have eaten something.

wonderwoman · Post by **wonderwoman** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:08 am

Linda, Walgreens also carries Caltrate. Do you have Walgreens Drugs there?

Post by **tex** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:50 am

Linda wrote:Had I done it in conjunction with diet, who knows what results I might have had.

I would guess that if you had done that, you wouldn't have had the need to search for this discussion board. Early on, you wouldn't have had nearly as much intestinal damage, so it probably would have healed sooner if you had done the complete treatment, then. It would have been your gain, and our loss.

Tex

Post by **tex** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:51 am

Charlotte,

That's good information. Thanks for tracking it down, and posting it.

Tex

Linda in BC · Post by **Linda in BC** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:59 am

No, no Walgreens up here, Charlotte.