Calcium! Taking Amlodipine. Heart.BP. (Calcium Channel Blocker) + Adcal-D3. Calcium. ( Bone Saver) Seems Contra! Wise ones?

Think I said it all in the headline! My footie team escaped relegation today! Barking madness to feel emotion about this branding world but there it is! I should have supported REAL MADRID. Or ASTON VILLA. But there we go! Enjoy the sunshine if you can. ATB. & Ta.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Anybody can support Real Madrid or similar, it’s your local one that needs you! I guess yours maybe Birmingham (sorry if it’s not).

I’m not really a footie fan, more into Rugby Union, but I always keep an eye out for Southampton, did go to some of their games in the 60s, (with previous boyfriend) - they are struggling at the moment!

Same situation as you, on Amlodipine pre and during GCA, now off it! But still on Adcal!

Nuts, but go with the flow!

[Jantayl in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi

Been following discussions since my PMR diagnosis Nov 2017 and find it very helpful in understanding my ‘condition’ and various ‘side effects’. Is it possible to overdose on calcium? Diagnosed with GCA in Feb 2018 and am now steadily - on advice from Rheumatologist - reducing prednisilone which was raised to 60mg- currently 30mg daily. Throughout all of this I have been taking the usual omniprazole, adcal and weekly bone density tablet. Just at thought. Thanks for all your guidance.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Jantayl]

Hi Jantayl,

If you’re only taking Adcal which is usually 1200mg Calcium (but can be 1500mg) plus an AA which is 75mg then you shouldn’t be taking too much. Think the recommended is up to 2000mg daily.

Sure PMRpro can advise, she’s more expert than me on drugs.

What side effects are you getting? Did you have DEXA to check if you actually need to be on AA?

If you want a more comprehensive reply on Calcium it might be worth raising your own post, that way everyone gets notified.

[Jantayl in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for your reply. Have not had bone density check since diagnosed with MS 20 years ago (no deterioration in health from MS) and it was ok. Only real side effects are fat face and neck/ thyroid I think other than that usual not sleeping, niggles - I can cope with as long as not the return of the pain. AA is 70mg and Adcal is 1500mg. GP said did not need DEXA check as would be advised to take this AA tablet anyway - that was at beginning. I try to remain active walking 7 miles daily. I had never heard of PMR before and it really hit me badly not being able to move at first and then the added severe headache - however I am learning to live with it. I find your posts really helping me understand how it progresses and how to deal with it. I do appreciate that we are all different and react in different ways.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Jantayl]

Hi the ‘fuller” face/neck etc are all Pred side effects as is the non sleeping, but they do reduce as your doses reduce!

I can remember times when favourite necklaces were unwearable, now they’re back to where they should be - round my neck, not in the jewellery box!

Keep walking, but don’t overdo it!

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

It was a couple of years into PMR Journey when my Pred was at its highest & l longingly looked at the Pearls l worn for my Sons Wedding when I had a lightbulb💡moment!.....

They had a lobster claw clasp & eureka! I though l could extend it with chain bracelet, which l did. I bought a silver one & then most of my necklace’s could be extended, funnily enough l came across it yesterday when packing!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hidden]

We’re a resource lot aren’t we? Necessity and all that......

[marigoldb in reply to DorsetLady]

I’m down to 3 and 1/2 mg prednisolone now, fuller face going, but the wrinkles of this elderly lady much more in evidence. So what, pain gone , thank goodness.

Bone density poor, am starting on Forsteo daily injections after my holiday at the end of this month. Is anyone else on them ?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jantayl]

"GP said did not need DEXA check as would be advised to take this AA tablet anyway"

He thinks does he? You DO need to know if you need the AA tablet - and you DO need to know you aren't developing too dense bone. I had good bone density at the beginning of pred and in over 7 years on pred my bone density had barely changed even without AA which I refused to take unless shown I needed it. I didn't and I don't.

AA should be taken for not more than 5 years without a holiday, some experts say even less. And I trust your calcium and vit D levels have been checked at intervals - because if they aren't correct, AA won't do you any good.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jantayl]

It is possible to overdose on calcium if there is something wrong but the body normally keeps it well in balance via the kidneys. What can sometimes happen is that you form calcium grit in the bladder if there is a lot of calcium being excreted and you get dehydrated. Or form gall stones or kidney stones. All rather uncomfortable if it happens.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Calcium channel blockers are nothing to do with calcium transfer to bone. But please don't ask me to explain!!!!!

[pegzop in reply to PMRpro]

Calcium channel blockers relax the smooth muscles nothing to do with blocking calcium . My husband put me on nifefipine (procardia) a calcium channel med and is has relieved my pmr symptoms by allowing the muscles to relax and get more blood flow . I'm just throwing that advise out there

[Hidden in reply to pegzop]

Thanks for that pegzop. Just sounded confusing.ATB