I have been taking 1,000 mg of calcium citrate tablets daily, these supplements come in capsules of 100mg of elemental calcium each, therefore I’m taking 10 spaced throughout the day. My GP says why not take Calcichew 500mg twice a day instead?
I’m hesitant because they are calcium carbonate. Have you taken these?
I’d really appreciate hearing what you think about them please?
Well for me calcium carbonate was awful. It felt like concrete in my gut. I've never seen a gp since diagnosis, only the practice nurse, who wasn't happy I said no more calcium carbonate. Someone on here mentioned the calcium tabs from Together health, derived from seaweed I think. I have been trying diet alone. But struggle to get enough in unless intake is mostly dairy. I think I will try these alternatives as top ups. I'm still having gut pain tho, it may be the alendronic acid. I've lost faith in all gp services. I feel they don't care
I feel my GP’s do care but sometimes don’t have an in depth knowledge of certain conditions. I’ll have a look at the supplements from Together Health that you mentioned.
Hi, I was unable to to tolerate all the usual supplements then found.
Natures Way Calcium Gummies these also include Vitamin D so killing 2 birds with one stone do to speak!!
They are available to buy from many places but I found it was best to buy from
Natures Way own web site in bulk. ( not the cheapest but in my opinion the best never is)
Maybe you could take a look x
I’ll have a look at the gummies, Thankyou!
Have you tried Lamberts calcium citrate? They contain 800mg in 3 tablets. Or Nature's best Osteoguard ultra (a mixture). I had to ditch the calcium carbonate after several years because I was getting dreadful acid reflux. I think my stomach was overcompensating for the neutralising effects of the calcium carbonate.
I’ve read that the maximum calcium your body can absorb at any one time is 500 mg. Hence the reason to spread out your calcium intake - supplements or otherwise- across the day.
Was this reply intended as a response to my post? 800mg contained in 3 tablets (so 260g/tablet - weird amount, I know). They can be spread throughout the day if necessary.
Thankyou, I’ll have a look at lamberts citrate. I already have reflux so don’t want to make it any worse!
I was on calcichew D3 for about 12 months but had stomach problems on them, not too bad but still I have gastric reflux anyway so didn't want it any worse.
I now take together health seaweed calcium capsules with a 500iu vitamin D tablet. No more worsend stomach problems.
I wish I could try the seaweed calcium but I’m hypothyroid so will checkout the ingredients of that. Thankyou!
Having been prescribed Adcal + for several months, my Rheumatologist advised discontinuing and ensuring a calcium rich diet with blood calcium levels checked every six months. I am taking Risedronate which can deplete calcium but current research shows that calcium supplements do not ‘build bone’ and can have adverse cardiac implications (see Zoe/Tim Spectre discussions). Perhaps ROS nurse has a view.
I've been wondering about their safety. I was wondering if it is just better to take a vitamin D tablet?
craftypainter - I mistakenly replied to myself instead of you!
Really difficult to say. My rheumatologist was very clear about not taking calcium supplements as they are not helpful in building bone and have recently been found to have damaging cardiac implications. GP’s still prescribe Adcal though. He was ambivalent about Vit D (which Zoe podcast casts doubt on even being a Vitamin) but suggested I have six monthly blood tests to check both. I ensure I eat a calcium rich diet most days. It may be wishful thinking/imagination but since stopping calcium I seem to have far fewer cramps and leg spasms/twitches at night.
Brilliant reply, really helpful. I had stopped the calceos because I felt they weren't suiting me. I feel that was a good call now. I'm doing daily teriparatide injections. I'll carry on with vit D aswell as that won't do any harm! Thanks again for reply. This is a useful forum ! X
hi I’ve been taking Calceos 1,000 per day on prescription for more than 30 years since being diagnosed with osteopenia. I’ve never had an adverse reaction but only recently read about the potential adverse effects on the circulatory system of calcium carbonate and realised that’s what Calceos are!! I saw my GP this week to ask whether I should be prescribed an alternative calcium supplement or whether I need it at all - she’s is doing some research and will get back to me. I’ll let you know the answer
Thankyou so much, I’d be really interested to hear your Gp’s findings.
hi I take calcium citrate because they gentle on my stomach . Calcichew is carbonate which gives my constipation. I only take 1 citrate as I have quite a lot of dairy in my diet.
According to Tim Spector and Cyrus Cooper calcium supplements are useless and possibly even harmful. Putting extra calcium in your body doesn't mean it goes in your bones. So where does that leave us when what we have always been told is now apparently wrong? All they/we know is that a healthy diet with plenty of protein and vegetables and low sugar probably helps. And some meds eg HRT. And weight-bearing exercise especially walking especially with a spring in your step. And not smoking.
Alendronic acid quandary 
Thoughts on Evacal D3 
Calcium - forms, doses, timings
Now taking Alendronic Acid because of need to take Steroids. - Advice please?
