Calcium citrate rant/vent

So not happy right now.  I've been taking the Tropical Oasis liquid (1 1/2 TBSP) since surgery for my calcium citrate and vitamin D, but it makes me gag every time.  So I was reading on the RnY board and several people spoke very highly of the Bariatric Advantage Wild Cherry Calcium Citrate lozenges. I checked my pre op book from St V's, and there is a sheet on Calcium Citrate, with milligrams and dosages, and it said that there were 400 mg calcium citrate and 100 IU of vitamin D per lozenge, with a daily requirement of 4 lozenges.  OK, I could do that...so I ordered some over the weekend.  It came today, and I took the first one at 1:30.  It was pretty tasty, and I figured 4 of those per day, every 2 hours...more than the liquid but it tastes better! Then I read the back of the bottle, and the dosage is 2 lozenges, and in TWO lozenges are 400 mg of calcium and 100 IU of vitamin D, not in one! That means I should be eating EIGHT of these darn things each day and not four.    No way...not when I have to take them 2 hours apart, plus 2 hours after my multivitamins.  $15 down the drain.  So pi$$ed.  The bottle has 60 lozenges, so at 4/day, it would only last me 2 weeks anyway....I'm just mad and I can't return them since I already opened the bottle.  It's my own fault, I should've checked the labeling online before placing my order, I just needed to vent. Guess I'll look into the UpCalD.  Argh!

I use CVS calcium citrate...I take 2 a day...but I have to cut them in half. I have taken them from Day 1 out of surgery. huggggggggs Janene

When I took the calcium I got it from Wal Mart or Walgreens and just crushed it with the pill crusher. They didn't taste bad, in fact had almost a maple flavor to them. I just popped it in my mouth and swallowed them down with water. They are a lot cheaper too.

Amy, I use the BariatricAdvantage vitamins and I take 1 Calcium in the morning, lunch and one at supper.  I believe that is the correct dosage.  If you read more carefully on the back of the bottle the serving size is 2 but the supplement facts are listed "amount per 1 tablet."  That info is right above the calorie line.  Each tablet is 400 mg of Calcium Citrate Here is the schedule that I follow for my Bariatric Advantage vitamins Breakfast Vitamins: 1 Bariatric Advantage Chewable Multi Formula plus 1 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenge with food Lunch Vitamins: 1 Bariatric Advantage B-12 plus 1 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenge with food Supper Vitamins: 1 Bariatric Advantage Chewable Multi Formula plus 1 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenge with food Bedtime Vitamins: 1 Bariatric Advantage Passion Fruit Chewable Iron If you still question the dosage, please call Teresa at Bariatric Eating (I don't have their toll free number with me but it is listed on their web site BariatricEating.com) and ask for her help.  I called and she was extremely helpful.  I was so confused about what I needed and she was very patient with me.  I think the Bariatric Advantage vitamins are the best tasting chewables I have tried.  In fact I just got a new order of them yesterday.  Hang in there and don't toss the towel in on these vitamins yet.  I think you just misread the bottle. Peg Peg

Peg,  THANK YOU!! I just checked my bottle, and I completely missed seeing that line...I saw 2 lozenges for a dose, and just figured the nutritional info was for 2, not 1.  Whew!! Big relief!!  Cindy, thanks for pointing that out about spacing my dosages...that will definitely help me out too. Yesterday was a rough day around here (not related to me or my surgery, just kid stuff---last day of preschool, lost her first tooth, broke her favorite shoes, and husband got a new job...too much going on!) and I got nervous for nothing apparently.  Oy! Amy

Amy,              The easiest form I have found (since the creamy bites disappeared) is the powdered form from www.globalhp.com .  It comes in very convenient individual packets, in 120, 240 or 480 count boxes.  Each packet contains 500mg calcium citrate & 200 or 250 mg vitamin D.  You can mix it in any liquid or sprinkle it on any food.   I've even sprinkled mine on salad, but then I'm over two years out, and my sister (not a wls patient) sprinkled it on a taco.                      You can also get it in a jar, but I think the volume of the serving is bigger even though the calcium mg are the same.  So I like the individual packets better.  Global Health Products does not take orders over the internet at this time.  You will see on their website that you can download an order form.  But at the bottom of the form is an 800 number and they take orders over the phone.  And they charge a flat $8.00 shipping per order, so it doesn't matter which size box you order.  Kim just started using this product and she really loves it (see her poste from the other day).                 Just so you know, you don't have to take each of the 8 losenges 2 hours apart.   You just have to space your total doses (500 mg max each) 2 hours apart.  So, you can do 2 losenges at a time.            I hope this helps.

I drink 36-48 oz of milk a day and eat 5-6 health valley calcium carbonate chews.  The citrate gives me heartburn.  Haven't had a bad lab yet!  I don't know what I would do if I couldn't drink milk...I really depend on it for calcium and protein.