Osteoporosis, Labs & Vitamin Experts
I have a question. First let me say I am not a vitamin expert. I have to admit I rely upon Kelly, Andrea and others for their wealth of information. There are many more I could name, but the names don't come to mind right now. But I do acknowledge those who are so helpful.
I had my well-woman the other day. The las time I had a bone density scan was 5 months pre RNY. I am currently 28 months post RNY. Since having surgery, my labs have been fine. My D is at the low end, but nothing has been said about the level. When I had my bone scan this week, the change was significant. I am right at the osteoporosis level in my spine and hip. My GYN is asking for all labs from my surgeon.
I will admit this last year I drastically lowered my calcium due to unbearable constipation issues. Tazz finally said something that caused me to turn that around. I suspected I might be developing an issue because I began having pain in my teeth...which I never do. I guess my question is this: My labs have been fine in regards to calcium and D. I guess I assumed if the levels were find I was doing fine. So...what do we need to look at?
My GYN said I MUST get my calcium in each day, walk, exercise and do weight training to strengthen my bones, etc. This really concerns me. As most of you know, I am legally blind. As a result I am extremely clumsy and am always running into things...even in my house. Sometimes I can ram something pretty hard. I cannot afford any broken bones.
To add insult to injury I gained 8 pounds last year from the year before. That is a HUIGE, HUGE wake-up call for me. They really did not know what to say. I was devestated. I can kind of lie to myself while at home, but when it slaps you in the face while in the doctor's office...that is something entirely different. I've been eating pasta, carbs and sweets once again, and it just does not work for me...there is no letting up on doing what we know we must do and what works for us. So I'm back to long walks and eating on plan.
My GYN said she will rescan in a year. Other than getting my calcium in...does anyone have any suggestions? She wants me to take my calcium requirements before putting me on Boniva or something similar. How does that work. If we take Boniva, do we still supplement?
I had my well-woman the other day. The las time I had a bone density scan was 5 months pre RNY. I am currently 28 months post RNY. Since having surgery, my labs have been fine. My D is at the low end, but nothing has been said about the level. When I had my bone scan this week, the change was significant. I am right at the osteoporosis level in my spine and hip. My GYN is asking for all labs from my surgeon.
I will admit this last year I drastically lowered my calcium due to unbearable constipation issues. Tazz finally said something that caused me to turn that around. I suspected I might be developing an issue because I began having pain in my teeth...which I never do. I guess my question is this: My labs have been fine in regards to calcium and D. I guess I assumed if the levels were find I was doing fine. So...what do we need to look at?
My GYN said I MUST get my calcium in each day, walk, exercise and do weight training to strengthen my bones, etc. This really concerns me. As most of you know, I am legally blind. As a result I am extremely clumsy and am always running into things...even in my house. Sometimes I can ram something pretty hard. I cannot afford any broken bones.
To add insult to injury I gained 8 pounds last year from the year before. That is a HUIGE, HUGE wake-up call for me. They really did not know what to say. I was devestated. I can kind of lie to myself while at home, but when it slaps you in the face while in the doctor's office...that is something entirely different. I've been eating pasta, carbs and sweets once again, and it just does not work for me...there is no letting up on doing what we know we must do and what works for us. So I'm back to long walks and eating on plan.
My GYN said she will rescan in a year. Other than getting my calcium in...does anyone have any suggestions? She wants me to take my calcium requirements before putting me on Boniva or something similar. How does that work. If we take Boniva, do we still supplement?
I'm not a vitamin expert either. My sister, who is 40, was dx with osteoporosis about 2 years after her ds. She never takes vits. Still doesn't. She is definitely a sicker person since surgery.
I think you're on plan, in addition to upping your calcium, you should probably really increase your vit d, since it helps with absorption. Some people here take up to 50,000 units. Make sure it is the more easily absorbed dry D3.
The reason your labs were ok is that calcium is leached from the bone until there are absolutely no reserves -- then you get bad labs. If low calcium shows up in labs, you are in serious trouble.
I feel your pain with the carbs -- they are my enemy. I need to get a better handle on them too.
BTW -- calcium really clogs my plumbing too, I take a stool softener with every dose.
Laura
I think you're on plan, in addition to upping your calcium, you should probably really increase your vit d, since it helps with absorption. Some people here take up to 50,000 units. Make sure it is the more easily absorbed dry D3.
The reason your labs were ok is that calcium is leached from the bone until there are absolutely no reserves -- then you get bad labs. If low calcium shows up in labs, you are in serious trouble.
I feel your pain with the carbs -- they are my enemy. I need to get a better handle on them too.
BTW -- calcium really clogs my plumbing too, I take a stool softener with every dose.
Laura
High Weight 278; consult weight 234; Surgery Weight 219 Surgeon's Goal Weight 150 -10/27/10 - Personal goal weight 140 - Achieved 12/11/10
Thanks Laura...that is scary. I did not realize the damage that occurs before it actually shows on labs. I am definitely going to take the required amount. I do great with my B12 and multi-vitamins. It was the calcium I eased on. I drink one serving Miralax with Benefiber each and every day, and I take softeners when needed. As long as I drink the Miralax I'm okay, however, I will see what happens now that I am increasing my calcium back to the 2000 mgs/day. and will most likely have to resume softeners every day as well.
That is unfortunate for your sister. The DS is a great surgery, but the vitamin issue even more essential. I hope she can turn that around in her life so she can enjoy the years ahead.
That is unfortunate for your sister. The DS is a great surgery, but the vitamin issue even more essential. I hope she can turn that around in her life so she can enjoy the years ahead.
What little I know about calcium, I remember from my college bio classes.... taken long, long ago -- another place & time.... but calcium is leached to maintain a cellular balance that controls heart rhythms. I found a relatively easy to understand article here:
http://www.chelationtherapyonline.com/articles/p185.htm
There are likely better ones out there, but I was stuck for search terms. But, understanding that while bone health is important, calcium actually plays a bigger role in health is important. You have actually caught things in time..... just sharing for others who may "avoid" taking their calcium supplements.
Laura
http://www.chelationtherapyonline.com/articles/p185.htm
There are likely better ones out there, but I was stuck for search terms. But, understanding that while bone health is important, calcium actually plays a bigger role in health is important. You have actually caught things in time..... just sharing for others who may "avoid" taking their calcium supplements.
Laura
High Weight 278; consult weight 234; Surgery Weight 219 Surgeon's Goal Weight 150 -10/27/10 - Personal goal weight 140 - Achieved 12/11/10
That was my purpose for posting, as well as my question...to make others aware how easy/fast issues can occur. This has blindsided me, and I wanted others to know how important supplementation is. I know we talk about it daily, but as time progress it is easy to forget how essential this is or remember this has to be for life. Once again, thank you for the info.
I'm so sorry you are having issues with osteoporosis. You do have a good chance to improve your condition, thank goodness. This was a wake-up call for me, since I am very good about getting all my supplements in...except calcium. I always get some in every day, but if I skip anything, it's a dose of calcium. I will make sure to get ALL my calcium in now.
Carol - RNY July 11, 2011
Please make sure you do. This past year I only took a dose or two per day at most - some days not at all. The constipation simply overshadowed everything. I
I almost did not have the bone scan performed. It is late in the day, the office was crowded, and I did not feel like waiting. The nurse could tell by the look on my face I did not want to take the time, so said I could skip it and take it next year. The only reason I decided to have it done was because my teeth have been really sensitive...and I'm pretty fanatic about oral care. When she told me the last one was pre-surgery, I knew I needed a new baseline. That issue was the first thing my GYN wanted to discuss the moment she walked into the room. The first year I took all supplements no matter what. Year 2 was when I just got sick of fighting constipation. I'm glad I took time to post this..it totally snuck up on me. What an eyeopener...these vitamin Vets know their stuff.
I almost did not have the bone scan performed. It is late in the day, the office was crowded, and I did not feel like waiting. The nurse could tell by the look on my face I did not want to take the time, so said I could skip it and take it next year. The only reason I decided to have it done was because my teeth have been really sensitive...and I'm pretty fanatic about oral care. When she told me the last one was pre-surgery, I knew I needed a new baseline. That issue was the first thing my GYN wanted to discuss the moment she walked into the room. The first year I took all supplements no matter what. Year 2 was when I just got sick of fighting constipation. I'm glad I took time to post this..it totally snuck up on me. What an eyeopener...these vitamin Vets know their stuff.
Sorry to hear you having so many issues.
What most people do not realize that calcium and Vit D are only part of the minerals we need for strong bones. Taking too much calcium will result in constipation when the calcium doe not get absorb and ends up in your gut instead of your blood and bones.
Beside calcium we need good (just normal may not be enough) level of D (60-100), we need magnesium - actually we need 50% of that of calcium (so for every 500 mg calcium - we need 150 mg magnesium) and we need boron and other micro-elements. Not to mention vit K. K1-and K2. And that vitamin is really critical. Same vitamin will cause clothing - so many doc are reluctant to tell people (specially older) to take it, but it is essential to bone growth and bone health.
I can't take calcium pills- I can use calcium capsules (get them already with magnesium and D3 ) or chewable. I look long and hard to try to find good chewable (and not too expensive) that taste good and also had magnesium. There are a few. One I use is Vitacost.com brand, calcium citrate with magnesium, chewable, I also use their site to get Vit K (mix K1 and K@)
Google vit K for bone building, some for boron..
To prevent constipation - I also use mag oxide (on top of the magnesium that my capsules - chewable have) every evening (400-800 mg every night). That helps with constipation.
What most people do not realize that calcium and Vit D are only part of the minerals we need for strong bones. Taking too much calcium will result in constipation when the calcium doe not get absorb and ends up in your gut instead of your blood and bones.
Beside calcium we need good (just normal may not be enough) level of D (60-100), we need magnesium - actually we need 50% of that of calcium (so for every 500 mg calcium - we need 150 mg magnesium) and we need boron and other micro-elements. Not to mention vit K. K1-and K2. And that vitamin is really critical. Same vitamin will cause clothing - so many doc are reluctant to tell people (specially older) to take it, but it is essential to bone growth and bone health.
I can't take calcium pills- I can use calcium capsules (get them already with magnesium and D3 ) or chewable. I look long and hard to try to find good chewable (and not too expensive) that taste good and also had magnesium. There are a few. One I use is Vitacost.com brand, calcium citrate with magnesium, chewable, I also use their site to get Vit K (mix K1 and K@)
Google vit K for bone building, some for boron..
To prevent constipation - I also use mag oxide (on top of the magnesium that my capsules - chewable have) every evening (400-800 mg every night). That helps with constipation.
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
I don't know why this stuff confuses me?
So for every 500 mg calcium, I need 150 mg magnesium? Is that oxide?
My vitamin D was 36. I bought vitamin D, but it is IU. How much vitamin D do I need.if it says IU
Thank you for the info...I'm going to bookmark this thread.
There are so many different brands, kinds with this vitamin, part of that vitamin/mineral. I get to the store and am completely confused. I cannot read labels, so my husband is trying to figure out what to buy, and I'm trying to remember what I'm supposed to buy.
So for every 500 mg calcium, I need 150 mg magnesium? Is that oxide?
My vitamin D was 36. I bought vitamin D, but it is IU. How much vitamin D do I need.if it says IU
Thank you for the info...I'm going to bookmark this thread.
There are so many different brands, kinds with this vitamin, part of that vitamin/mineral. I get to the store and am completely confused. I cannot read labels, so my husband is trying to figure out what to buy, and I'm trying to remember what I'm supposed to buy.
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