am I absorbing calcium

[Radars]

I take 3omg of lansoprazole daily, I have been reading that ppis stop you from absorbing calcium, and if I need to supplement with calcium.

[MyStar86]

yes they do block absorption of calcium and people with osteoporosis shouldn’t be taking ppi’s not sure what to advise but they will block even supplemented calcium……my doctors have told me I am not able to take them so I have a prokinetic drug for my bile reflux which works well so I stopped all ppi meds once I had diagnosed osteoporosis

[Radars in reply to MyStar86]

yeah, but I have a hiatus hernia so have to take ppis, you would have thought gp would have said something, and why did they prescribe ad cal when they know that I have been taking ppis for years.

[MyStar86 in reply to Radars]

the GPS are not very good when it comes to ppis as they never tell patients that you have to wait 2 hours after taking a ppi before taking any other medication as it also blocks the absorption of other medications if taken within the two hours. I find it terrible I was put on them for years and still believe they accelerated my bone loss that’s why I ended up with osteoporosis before I was even 30!!

That’s a shame that you have to take them is there no other options than ppis for a hiatus hernia? I’ve never known someone with osteoporosis to carry on taking them as I know they do increase bone density loss.

The NICE guidelines state:

When using PPIs:

Risk of osteoporosisPatients at risk of osteoporosis should maintain an adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, and if necessary, receive other preventative therapy.

[Radars in reply to MyStar86]

when I went for my infusion I told the nurse that I had not been taking adcal because of my hiatus hernia she said oh and she went away to check my blood report prior to having the infusion, she came back and said my calcium levels were ok so I must be absorbing some calcium.

[MyStar86 in reply to Radars]

I think you have answered your own question then…….if your blood calcium levels are ok whilst taking your ppi and on the infusions then you are absorbing calcium and have nothing to worry about so the question is answered

Everyone is different and it’s a risk for SOME people not absorbing calcium whilst on ppis but clearly you are so then carry on and don’t worry about it

[t1gernidster]

I have complex stomach issues but most the time I can get by on 15mg of lansoprazole. Perhaps you could try that and see if you could manage.

[Jumpey]

Yes they interfer with the absorption of all minerals because they need acid to be absorbed.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I have been prescribed 30mg of lansoprazole twice a day which I just take the same time as all my other meds I never thought about the time I should take it.I also have osteoporosis in my hips and spine made worse because I had to take steroids for a year, once again no one has mentioned calcium absorption. I have terrible stomach acid in the past and I also take famotidine for it. I have my next dexa scan in August I hope things have not got any worse. Char

[lgd333]

I have been on Lansoprazole for years now (30mg.) and was recently increased to 2 x 30mg. daily due to chronic heartburn, nausea etc. I also have a hiatus hernia but do not take calcium in between. My doctor has never pushed Adcal or other calcium supplements down me, but I take Risedronate Sodium for osteoporosis. Extra dosage of Lansoprazole is definitely helping the acid reflux. Perhaps speak to your doctor.

[Radars in reply to lgd333]

hi,does your doctor know if you are absorbing calcium and other nutrients

[lgd333 in reply to Radars]

Yes he does... I monitor my diet. Being epileptic and hypothyroid also, I'm on a range of other medication too.

[Radars in reply to lgd333]

yeah so you are absorbing calcium ok

[Kalicocat]

I just want to add to this conversation. I was on PPIs off and on for about 10 years, I eventually went on 2 PPIs per day, which caused low magnesium, low potassium and likely low calcium. Side effects of low magnesium and potassium are terrifying. Electrolytes (such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, etc) are tightly regulated in the body, otherwise your heart could stop. If the diet is not rich in these minerals, your body will leach them from your bones to ensure steady serum electrolytes. That is why there are now warnings for PPIs causing low magnesium, potassium and osteoporosis among other things. I'm now very close to osteoporosis in the spine and wish I'd never heard of those nasty pills. Stomach acid is created for a reason, to digest your food. Your pancreas creates digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to further assist in food breakdown and to neutralize this acid after it leaves the stomach.

[Radars in reply to Kalicocat]

thanks, do you take magnesium supplement or a calcium supplement, has your gp said that you are not absorbing nutrients.

[Kalicocat]

I stopped taking PPIs because I go low on magnesium/potassium within a month of starting them up again. I've read that PPIs permanently change your kidney function. I do take magnesium bisglycinate before bed and I take AOR Bone Basics when I feel I didn't get enough calcium in my diet on that day. But once we lose significant bone it is very hard to build it back up, especially post menopause. I have hypercalcuiria (too much calcium in urine), so now I'm on hydrochlorothiazide w which has helped with the wasting of calcium.

[Radars in reply to Kalicocat]

I have been on ppis for donkeys years, and now changed to 20mg famatodine and am getting bye,I still have to clear my throat now and again, but I think famatodine is not as dangerous as ppis.