ppis or famatodine

[Radars]

ppis or famatodine reduce calcium absorption ,so with severe osteoporosis would it be better to take a calcium supplement.

[Jumpey]

You could take a supplement. Take it as far apart from your meds as possible. And you could take gaviscon advance instead of the ppi or famitidine. That's what I do .

[Radars in reply to Jumpey]

thanks, I have recently started famatodine 20mg instead of 20mg pantoprazole to see how I go on ,I think famatodine isn't as harsh as ppis, what's the best calcium supplement can't take adcal-d3, because it gives me constipation and because I have a hiatus hernia.

[Jumpey in reply to Radars]

I take calcium citrate.

[Radars in reply to Jumpey]

thanks I will try 500mg of citrate, does it give you constipation.

[Jumpey in reply to Radars]

Hard to say because I take iron and that does. But I don't think so.

[CallMeSunny]

Not a comment on this question Radars, but a question of my own for you! Do you belong to the ROS? Their magazine this week focuses on Drug Treatment and Advice for Men…..I’m sure you’d find it really helpful. Best wishes.

[Radars in reply to CallMeSunny]

I have some pamphlets from them regarding exercises after a fracture, just bodyweight exercises, but it's weight bearing exercises that makes bones stronger, but with severe osteoporosis can't do. I have spoke to the ros a couple of times ,but like gps they say to have meds ,which I have had 1 infusion, but the more I read about meds ,there is more negative than positive regarding meds ruining peoples lives with side effects you must have read them on some posts.

[CallMeSunny in reply to Radars]

Yes I have Radars. Rather like life itself, one has to balance everything…at our age, listening to our own bodies is even more important…if it’s hurting, causing pain, causing undue worry…stop. There’s no need to go beating ourselves up 😀. As long as we remain as comfortably mobile as possible, walking is still the very best weight bearing form of exercise we can do! Personally (multiple spine issues, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and inflammatory arthritis), I thoroughly enjoy the sensible and safe approach on Versus Arthritis YouTube exercise videos: at the moment I’m working through an old set led by a lovely chap called Leon who has his Mum exercising (Guinea pig!) with him. I use cans of beans as weights when I can, or a bottle of water and do as much as I’m able, happily adapting to suit ME. Most of them are seated and, if standing can be done holding on to the back of a chair. I’ve now progressed to being able to do gentle floor exercises (I couldn’t get down or back up again a few weeks ago)! They make me feel I’m making progress, I’m being proactive and helping myself in a positive way and they give me The Feel Good Factor! Have a look, give them a go….nothing to lose, plenty to gain.

[FrogLeg]

I have severe osteoporosis potentially/likely related to taking PPIs for decades. I recently switched to taking famotidine and then (even more recently) have stopped taking meds for GERD altogether except on rare occasions as needed. I had really bad GERD (taking 30mg of Lansoprazole in the morning and 40mg of omeprazole in the evening), yet I managed to get off the meds. I had tried numerous times to do so over the years without success. I think the key to getting off of the meds (for those that can) lies in the methodology used to do so. It involves using gradual tapering in conjunction with using tools like sucralfate to coat the esophagus. Otherwise, rebounds will occur and you will continue taking famotidine or PPIs indefinitely (as did I).

I don't think it makes sense to take a calcium supplement purely on the basis of taking a PPI or H2-receptor antagonist. Yes calcium absorption may be reduced. But by how much? Too much calcium is also not healthy. So how do we decide when to supplement? The first rule is supplement if your intake is less than 1000-1200mg per day. Target that range. But what about the absorption component that you are raising?

An endocrinologist assesses my calcium absorption by looking at the complete picture of endocrine function. If your body isn't absorbing enough calcium, it should be evident in the bloodwork. Not by looking at your serum calcium level alone, mind you, as we know that calcium will be extracted from the bone to sustain balance/homeostasis. But by looking at parathyroid and other factors, one may be able to infer whether the body is attempting to extract calcium from bone. A talk with an endocrinologist should guide your decision.

[Radars in reply to FrogLeg]

I have got a hiatus hernia, some people can't come off ppis, I recently changed to 20mg of famatodine but I am still clearing my throat a lot, there is other things besides ppis that block calcium absorption such as phytates and oxalates that's present in other foods,

[FrogLeg in reply to Radars]

I am sorry to hear about the hernia. Yes I eat lots of foods with oxalates, but the resulting decision to supplement with calcium should be based on an endocrine evaluation. What does your gastroenterologist say about using sucralfate to help with your symptoms? What about surgical options?