Calcium

[Potatoheat]

Hi all. Not wanting to complain as some of you seem to be suffering so much more than me. I was put on steroids 3 years ago during a flare . Already on azathioprine and hydroxy. One month originally then off. Flared again next summer so back on. Got down to 5mg now on 2mg . Try 1mg but feel feverish after 2 days and not brave enough to ride it out so back to 2mg. Anyway, my consultant now says I need combo vit d and calcium. Was fine on vit d only. Tried chewy calcium, developed itchy mouth. Now have tablets and have horrible taste in mouth and sore. If I stop them it goes. Not sure where to go with this one.

Also does anyone else have irritable unpredictable bowel? Sorry to get basic 😁

[Spanielmadlady]

Yes potato heat I do.im prescribed mebeverine and have an idea what a couple of my triggers are.im also on prednisolone have been for over 6 years cant get steroids down below 7.5mgs.you should be on bone protection with steroids.im prescribed accrete d3 tablets which is calcium and vit d and I have had no issues with them.previously I'd been on calcichew without issues.i also have annual dexascans. I also take lansoprazole to protect my stomach with the steroids.i always suffer with a steroid drop and usually i have 2 bad days 4 or 5 days after drop.have you tried alternating your tablets 2mgs,1mg,2mg etc then your average will be 1 1/2 mgs . Best wishes x

[PMRpro]

Have you had a dexascan to see what your bone density is like? To tell you you need a combo vit d and calcium supplement after 3 years of steroids is rather shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted!

My husband also have horrible adverse effects with calcium - fine with just vit D. Stay with the vit D and try to increase your dietary calcium in the meantime. There is a range of calcium supplements but many of them will cause one problem or another. Have they just been the calcium carbonate sort? Some people swear by calcium citrate.

[ShannonB]

Hi - I have that reaction to most calcium tablets but searched and eventually found one that works for be. I’ve been on 5mg steroids now for 13 years so very glad I have taken a calcium/vit C supplement. I ended up being ok with a slow release soft gel capsule from Holland and Barrett. It might be worth continuing to search a bit? Good luck!

[Potatoheat in reply to ShannonB]

Thank you. Worth a try !

[leeniebeanie726]

Whatever you do , don’t take calcium, and multivitamin at the same time . Because the calcium doesn’t absorb right when taken with the multivitamin. They have calcium tablets , and some calcium also has vitamin D . Feel better 🙏🏻💜💙😊🦋

[Hamptons]

Yes, unpredictable and irritated. I too have mebeverine, but have found since having Covid that does not work..