medication after RNY

 I have a question. A very good friend of mine who also had RNY told me that I shouldnt take all my daily medication in one sitting due to the malabsorption. Is this true? If so can I have some ideas on how I should take I . I usually take my blood pressure, thyroid, prevacid, antidep, gall bladder(Urso), vitamins, and calcium all in the morning. Then I take my cholesterol before bed. 

Hi!  
My dr. has directed me to take my thyroid med on it's own, waiting at least an hour before taking my other meds.  It's at my bedside, the alarm rings and I put it in my mouth.  About an hour later I eat my breakfast and take my other meds.
The best advice is to contact your dr.and or pharmists and ask them. My pharmists was very helpful.

Good luck!

calcium citrate needs to be taken several times through the day.  This is because our bodies need about 1200-1500 mgs but can only absorb about 500mg at a time.  Iron if you are taking that shouldn't be taken with calcium. 

As for the prescription meds, I would ask your surgeon's office about that.

Your friend is right, don't take it all at one time.  You can't absorb your daily 1500+ of calcium citrate at one time, only 500-600mg at a time. You can't take your calcium citrate and iron together, as they don't supply full benefits when taken together.  Take script on the recommended basis from your surgeon.  You'll likely have to increase some supplements over time as a post op.  I began taking vitamin K to help with heavy bruising on my forearms. I had very visible purple bruises the size of 50 cent pieces prior to the vitamin K.  After trying 200mcg daily, the bruises diminished to nickel sized. I really had no recollection of any trauma to my arms to cause bruising. I increased the vitamin K to 400mcg daily, and not I rarely have any bruising, except when I actually do trauma to my arm--bumping arms while doing heavy tasks, etc.  I've had to increase dry vitamin D3 levels too as my levels have not yet gotten to an 80 or more.  You may have to adjust your sublingual B12 amount too, based on upcoming labs.  I break my pills down to 3 times daily (some 2 times daily) in a segmented pill container, costing about $5 at a local pharmacy. DAVE

I will be 6 weeks out tomorrow.  Currently, I take 18 pills a day ... here is how mine goes:

upon waking (5:30) ... take blood pressure pills (2), and my best friend ... my menopausal pill along with 1 Prilosac pill (given my surgeon for 3 months)

6:00 - chew 1 multi-vitamin

eat breakfast (around 7ish) - ttake 1 gall bladder pill (given by surgeon for 6 months)

8:30 Citracal Petites (3)

12-12:30 - Citracal Petites (3)

afternoon at some point - gall bladder (1), Prilosec pill (1), B-12 under tongue

4ish - Citracal Petites (2)

bedtime - chew 11 multi-vitamin

This is an everyday process which starts as soon as I open my eyes, and ends when my head hits the pillow.  The saving grace to all this madness, is that it won't last forever.  Some pills will drop off, and eventually the Citrcal petites will go to regular calcium pills cut in half.  It is what I have to do right now ... so I am just getting it in and thankful that I can with no problems!!!



 

It depends on the medication.

You need to take calcium in three or four doses of 500 mg at least two hours apart.  That's not because of malabsorption but because people can only absorb about 500 mg calcium at a time.  That's all people, not just RNY folks.

You should be taking two multivitamins and should spread those out, too.

You should not take your iron with your calcium because calcium blocks the absorption of iron.

Thyroid meds are usually supposed to be taken alone.  Check with your pharmacist.

My doc said to take my vitamins and iron (if I'm on it) in the morning, Calcium is 3-4 hours later in 3 daily doses. So I take my vits and B-12 in the morning, calcium is lunchtime, dinner and bedtime. Each dose is 400 mg so I get my 1200 mg all in one day. I was told calcium is not to be taken with vits or it won't be absorbed.
Check with your doc or pharmacist to see what goes with what in your daily regiment of pills and medications.
Jen 10 yrs post op

 WHy didnt my Dr tell me to take B12. I read on here alot that many RNYers take it. What does it do?

I don't know why your doctor didn't tell you to take it.  All RNY patients need to take B12.  After RNY, we lack something called intrinsic factor in our new pouches and without intrinsic factor, you can't absorb B12 from food or from vitamins you swallow.  You must take a sublingual that dissolves under your tongue, or use the nasal spray or get shots.  You might want to ask your doctor why he did not inform you of this.

Without B12, you will get tired and depressed and eventually will develop nerve damage in your hands and feet.  It's very important to take B12.

Another trip to Wally world in my future. Is there a dosage? How many a day? Btw thank you all for the info.