confused re meds

[Cooper02]

Hi all,

can anyone give me advice about timing all these wonderful medications?

I have just been prescribed Calium and Vit D supplement as well as Alendronic acid. I have already decided to give the Alendronic a miss honest however, the calcium and vit d need to be taken twice a day and this is where i have a problem.

I am already on Thyroxine which I take first thing (about 7am) and have to wait at least 30 mins before I can eat. Although I could take my thyroxine with the steroids as there is no report of any interactions, I am told i need to take steroids with food so I have them with breakfast (about 8 am).

I have then have to wait at least 4 hours before I take vitamins due to the thyroxine which will be around 11 am and i need to take 2 a day so my question is 'when you take 2 calcium a day how long do i wait before i can take the 2nd dose.

I have also found out that i should not be taking selenium with steroids. This was something i was prescribed years ago for Thyroid eye disease which is a worry.

I do wonder why G.P's do not thoroughly investigate any possible drug interactions before they prescribe all these meds!

i was hoping to go back to work sometime but i think taking these meds is a full-time job already

[Koalajane]

I think with calcium/Vit d3 it is best taking them with lunch and with evening meal

[Cooper02 in reply to Koalajane]

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Can't see why you shouldn't take selenium with pred - there is an interaction but not a problematic one and Se supplementation has been used with pred:

"Decreased consumption of corticosteroids after selenium supplementation in corticoid-dependent asthmatics

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/120...

You just need to have calcium supplements 2 hours after pred - so pred for breakfast, calcium for lunch and dinner works. Don't think it is as much a problem with vitamins. You COULD take the thyroxine before bed - it has been shown to improve management of thyroid problems.

jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...

As long as it is on an empty stomach it is fine and that depends on the time of your evening meal I suppose.

[Cooper02 in reply to PMRpro]

I read so much about selenium I got confused and could not find a solid answer of the potential interaction with steroids. Mostly that needed to get medical advice. Thank you for your article and I will continue the selenium for the benefit to my thyroid issue.

I tried taking my thyroxine at night but was forgetting to take it at times although I might give it another go as makes sense purely from a medication management point of view

Thank you for your advice

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Cooper02]

Set an alarm on your phone??? When it is immediately before bed I find it easier to remember as I sit and make up the next day's dosette box.

[Cooper02 in reply to PMRpro]

I will definitely try. Thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

See this from FAQs for starters -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Cooper02 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you, this was very helpful

[Orange_2022]

A couple of Brazil nuts apparently give enough selenium each day. Maybe ask the GP or a nutritionist if this would work instead of the supplements?

[Cooper02 in reply to Orange_2022]

Thank you.

[Sophiestree]

can you take your Thyroxine at night when you go to bed. That's what I do now and it's so much easier. It is better on aan empty stomach apparently. Been taking it first thing for 40 years and only just found this out. I have them by my bed now.

[Cooper02 in reply to Sophiestree]

Thank you. Did try this before but often forgot to take but will give it another go