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[potty]

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I found this site and this thread intrigued me... i bought a calcium carbonate called Mastical D... (could not find Caltrate), the calcium is 500 mg, Vitamin D is 400 UI... no Magnesium!Last night i took half a tablet with dinner, this morning i took half again with toast and a banana and 2 imodium... i hope i have not overdone it... i might skip the calcium tonight and lay off the imodium tomorrow and stick with the calcium to see how it works on it's own...I am quite thirsty though... I pray this works, i think my D is nearly 100% caused my emotional distress and nerves... i tried giving up milk and fatty foods and even tea... i was no better off, worse if anything...I think smoking aggravates the D, anyone else find that smoking could be a contributing factor to getting D?PS: Is it really not a good idea to mix imodium with the calcium and is my brand ok? I will still keep looking for the Caltrate.My calcium is literally just calcium carbonate 500mg and vitamin D 400 UI.It is a Spanish brand...I'll keep you all posted, if it helps i'd love to let others know.Fingers crossed!!!

[PAZ]

Thanks for your reply! I asked a pharmacist that asked to the order and she says that in our country (portugal), there is nothing like caltrate. I have asked a Aunt in Canada if she could buy it for me, cause I believe that they have it there! Sent a e-mail yesterday and I'm waiting for a answer. As for buying it online it's possible but too expensive, as for the shipping it is charged, costs a bit more than the medicine, also the customs will charge a tax don't know how much but probably too much too! But this is not out of the question of course! I will continue to try and i'll be keeping in touch, thanks again, it's great to have someone to talk even far apart! Keep on the good work! Hope I can be of some help one day!

[LNAPE]

trishizle,The only way you will know is to give it a try. Let me know if I can help.Linda

[Prudy]

Andre... are you sure your calcium doesn't have anything else in it???? Like magnesium??? And are you drinking mineral water by any chance??? What are you eating and drinking as well..?? Are you trying to keep to a trigger free diet until your symptoms stop...??? It takes awhile for this to happen.. If you are eating trigger foods.. You may be defeating what you are trying to heal... Just a thought.. Last year when I stated the calcium... I didn't add any new foods until at least 3 months of being on the calcium and a trigger free diet.. I still to this day have to follow it pretty much all the time... { I may take a diet liberty here and there.. but it is not daily.. and not alot either}... I have been doing well for a year now.. with some adjustments along the way.. but it has been a life saver to me.. truly..

[Kathleen M.]

All of the plain calcium is a calcium something or other.You have to look at the small print on the label to see if it is Calcium Carbonate or Calcium Citrate, or Calcium something else (there are a few others it can be).Usually when I go the cheap store brand Calcium supplements tend to be Calcium Carbonate. Looked at the CVS website and found this:link which is their store brand that might look like plain calcium until you look at the back of the label.

[LNAPE]

jefftreece,No it is not the right one for you if you are still having a problem taking 5 or 6 pills it may be because you are getting magnesium at about 240 mg a day and this could be causing you diarrhea still.It is Caltrate 600 with D and added minerals in the purple and white bottle. This is not right for you.Get the one in the pink and white bottle it only has the calcium carbonate and vitamin d read the label.Linda

[LNAPE]

KC-in-L.A,I do not know about the additives and being kosher maybe you can check other stores that sell kosher to see if there is. I am sure many with your faith take calcium so there might be.Katcsr,It helped me with many trips to the bathroom it just may take a little time to let the insides heal and settle down. Sitck with it for a while.Andre,We will be waiting to see how you are doing.Linda

[LNAPE]

If you take one at night with a small snack it should help how you feel in the morning. Start with 1/2 tablet with breakfast lunch and at bedtime. Do this for 3 days and see how you do.Be sure to have calcium carbonate and vitamin D no Magnesium. Lettuce tomato sauce and Mt Dew should be stopped for now. I still do not eat lettuce out but I eat it at home. Tomato sauce is not a problem for me now but the Mt Dew may also be a problem.I drink caffine free pepsi.Linda

[LNAPE]

Sophie,I think if you are doing well you should not add any thing else. You have not been at it for too long so that would not be a good idea. I also think when it comes to acidophilius you may only need to take it if you have to be on an antibiotic. Everything will have some sort of side effect so be aware.One more thing I forgot to add is if you should have an attack maybe from some bad food not cooked to the right temp or sitting out too long you may have a one time event without pain and it is over. Not the many trips and the pain you may have had before. Even normal folks go throug this from time to time.LindaBarbR,You do need to take it with food and there is calcium citrate form of calcium you do not but it does not work like the calcium carbonate and most citrate forms of calcium have magnesium so this is not what you want. Once you get it down and see how well it can work I have never changed calcium dosing or started anything else over the counter I did not need to take. 7 plus years of success.Linda

[Angry Optimist]

About the Oscal [500 + D]: it is oyster shell calcium and yes, calcium carbonate.The reason they may promote it as 'absorbable' may be relative. About the most intelligent pharmacologist I have ever known [he taught at some prestigious med school till he retired] said Oscal in particular was not ground and packed so tightly that it was hard to absorb. Some of the other oyster shell calciums *are.* They pack the stuff so hard you don't absorb it *easily.* Hence Oscal may be comparing itself to competitor oyster shell calciums [rather than calcium carbonate in general]. Just a guess. [but it is why I don't buy a generic in that. This guy also knew about the vit. D long before everyone else did...he's an old-timer.]

[suzee64]

hi linda,im new to this site and pretty much at wits end with ibs-d..i went out and boght the calcium pills its day 2 and the gas is really bad..not painful just sounds like a war going on in my stomach! how long does this last? thanks for your suggestion...i hope it works....sue

[KC-in-L.A]

OK - I may be ready to give up on the Caltrate. I think the Questran works much better for me (it's all relative, though... the Qestran is far from perfect). I may give fiber a try. I know there are several different types. Does anyone know where I can find out more info regarding fiber. I will also try to google it. I have tried FiberCon before and it has helped a bit. Has anyone been successful at switching from Questran to Caltrate or to anything else? I have had my ileum removed so there is a lot of bile going to my colon which then results in a super-urgent D. In my experience, when you take something for that kind of D, you pretty much know if it works within the first twelve hours. I have tried the Caltrate for a few days now w/o the Questran, and although my D is not as strong as it would be if I was not taking either, I still get a stronger D with the Caltrage than with the Questran, but I think that I physically feel better off the Questran.Any feedback is appreciated.K

[Tara Smith]

Just thought I would update everyone. I have been using the calcium for about 4-5 days now and only have had one flare up but that was partially my fault for some of the food I ate. I think it is helping. I will update you again in the near future

[MElena2]

Linda, In answer to your question about are the trips once and out. No, not yet. I still go to the bathroom several times a day, but NOT several times an hour like it was before. Today is not such a great day and I had to take Imodium this morning, but I know it is due to stress. My 2 year old daughter goes in for minor surgery tomorrow and I know that it is playing a part with my tummy. I know Soy can cause cramping, but dairy was much worse. Overall the soymilk seems to be okay with my system right now. I also realize that could all change tomorrow. The hardest thing will be remembering to take my calcium with everything going on tomorrow. I'm thinking of taking some imodium preventatively in the morning so I can be at my best for my little one. Thanks again for all the help.

[RachL]

Great thanks! I haven't really had any movement since this morning, when I took two Imodium just incase because I didn't want to have to worry about the D today!!! AAh!! I'm really hoping it starts to work soon, I think it will because I'm thinking positive. I'm going to Prague for 4 days next week and I'm so worried about having to deal with my IBS whilst on holiday - although I usually deal well with travelling...!Just one more thing I wanted to ask, should I be taking any of the tablets during the night do you think? Thanks again for all your help I really really appreciate it!!!

[GadJett]

Prudy, I just read your message and I hope that by now, you are calmed down and able to breathe. We can really put ourselves in bad places by over thinking the situation. That is the way I am, too. I am thinking happy thoughts for you along with lots of prayers for you. It is so easy for us to think the worst when we really need to "not think" at all. Stay positive and this, too, shall be nothing but a memory soon. Your comments have helped me so much and I hope to be able to help you, too. Every day seems to be better than the one before for me since starting the calcium and I am happy about that. Thanks to you and to Linda for the encouragement and advise. Think happy thoughts...GadJett

[RachL]

Thanks Linda! It's great to have someone to talk to about this!! I will get the Calcium as soon as I can get to a pharmacy! RachL x

[LNAPE]

GadJett,I am so glad for you and maybe as the confidence builds you will be able to stop the other meds you take for the stress. You really don't know how bad they make you feel until you can get off of them.pagirl,You enjoy your trip and try not to anticipate a problem if you can. It is early but things will get to that point and you will not have to worry any longer.Linda

[LNAPE]

trishizle,Do not give up just continue to take the daily doses and it could be a virus or some bad food. If it worked for 4 months it will work again. You did not start any other meds or vitamins in the last few days. You can still have about once in a while but it is usually short lived and no pain then it is gone again.Linda

[michele040963]

which is the best kind to purchase? is os-cal ok or is there something better? i think i read to start out with 1/2 tablet with meals..right? how does it make you feel to start? i know constipation can be a problem but does anyone take anything to help with that while taking the calcium? or maybe taking some fiber? if so, what kind is good for people with ibs? i appreciate all your help! THis board is a wonderful place for information and just to unload ones worries!! thank you