Several years ago someone on this board was suggesting Caltrate 600 Plus had been effective for her IBS-D. I started taking 2 a day since I also needed the calcium and it has helped. I still have a major problem with it, but if I forget a calcium tablet or two it gets much worse. After a while I switched to Sam's Club Members Mark brand that had the same ingredients at a much lower price.Misty

 

TUMS are made from calcium carbonate.. if you take a caltrate, you're getting the same stuff. just happens to be an antacid. however with caltrate you may get vitD or magnesium..I take TUMS for my D and it works just fine!!!

 

tezbear:My understanding is that, if you take calcium carbonate with a meal, it's a source of calcium just like it would be if you drank milk with the meal.Take calcium carbonate about 2 hours after a meal for the antacid properties.The main difference seems to be how much magnesium is in it. Different bottles of Caltrate have differing amounts of magnesium. I take the one with just calcium carbonate and Vit. D because I have never had a problem with constipation. In fact, I'm not sure that I know what constipation feels like. The more of a problem that you have with constipation, the more magnesium you would want with your calcium carbonate preparation.If you are taking the calcium carbonate for the bone density, like I do, then take it with a meal and take Vit. D with it (like caltrate). Without the Vit D, the calcium may not get absorbed properly.A couple of years ago, Consumer Reports tested calcium supplements. I think that they recommended TUMS. However, TUMS has glycerine in it (for constipation). Consumers was not impressed with the expensive forms of calcium that are sold by the drug companies. They were not absorbed as readily as the plain ones. No apparent advantage to paying more money. The expensive ones are made out of crushed egg shells.If you have questions, Linda, on this broad, is an expert on Calcium. She's really good about returning e-mails to people who have questions. I believe that she goes by "LNAPE."Hope that this helps.echris

 

I am IBS "D". and I have been taking Caltrate 600 the purple and white bottle. It definitly has helped with the "D". I still have some days that I flair up, but it's usually something I shouldn't have eaten. I too, have switched to the Sam's club brand..Member Mark...you get more for your money and they are exactly the same ingrediants that Caltrate has. It doesn't help with spasms...it makes your bowel movements more solid, and regular..I only need 2 a day...make sure you take them regularly, and with a meal, not an empty stomach.

 

I have tried Tums, but they nauseate me.I believe best calcium absorption occurs when taking the efferevescent kind?Regards, Evie

 

I think the thing with Tums is that if you take them with food they act as an antacid and if you want to use them for the calcium supplement you take them when you do not eat. They also dislove more rapidly than the other Calcium Carbonate in tablet form with vitamin d and minerals and thus you may not have the same effect in helping to control diarrhea. That part comes as your system uses the calcium it needs and then the rest is passed out in the waste and as it goes on its merry way it soaks up excess fluid to help give a more solid BM.Linda