Trying to get in all these vitamins

I am needing some wisdom from you guys about how to get in all these vitamins. I have 4 multis, 3 calciums, an iron and a B12.
I split the multis up and take 2 at lunch, with the iron, B12 and pepcid then the other 2 multis in the pm with pepcid.
I have found that I can not take any of the vitamins within 4 hours of my thyroid and antidepressant medication which I take as soon as I wake each morning...my husband can tell a big difference in my mood/attitude when I do...I am so glad he loves me !!
My biggest struggle is getting in the calcium which is considered to be an antacid and infers with absorption of other meds- 3 chewables spread out throughout the day...there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day...
As you can see I have put a lot of thought into this process...sorry to ramble on...
I would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks in advance!!

What are you using for calcium? It sounds almost like you are using Tums for your calcium. Also, why 4 multi's? What kind are you taking?

Thanks so much Susan for helping me process through all this!!!
My surgeon has put together these vit packs called perfect packs. It is a 60 day supply for only 40 dollars.
Each packet contains his daily recommended vits.
The calcium looks something like a Tums but is not marketed as such. I have been emailing with my NUT at the surgeon's office and she confirmed that the calcium was an antacid.
What do you think?? Is there another source for calcium that I can take with my other vits...I am suppose to get in 1500mg per day.
Any info is soooo much appreciated!

You can't take any form of calicum with your multi vitamins. But I guess Susan was asking why you have to take 4 multi vitamins a day in two doses? Can they not give you something or can you not get a multi vitamin you only have to take once a day? I always just took one multi vitamin a day. Right after surgery it was the Flinstone Complete Chewables with minerals and iron. That seems like it would work much better for you. Then you can take your multi vitamin 4 hours after you get up after you other medicines and the calcium in 3-4 hour increments after that. I hope you find something that works. It is very important to get it all in.

Thanks so much Misty. The only reason that I can think that the multi-vits are in 4 different capsuls is absorption.
You do have a really good point...I can ask what other vits are on the market that I could take to decrease the number of pills I am taking in a day.
My NUT said that the Flinstones are taylored to children and some of the ingredients are too high for an adult...but we did use them the first month post op.
Thanks again!!

Not to take anything away from your surgeon but...I would be leery of any doctor marketing his/her own "vitamin packet" that doesn't tell you exactly what you are taking. The calcium sounds like it is calcium carbonate which we don't absorb well at all. I take the following: 1 Centrum - I used the Centrum adult chewable for the first 2 - 3 months 1 Pepcid 1000 IU Vitamin D - I had a vit D deficiency before surgery so this is not surgery related 3 Citracal Creamy Bites - these are calcium citrate and are 500mg calcium and 200IU vit D each b12 injection - 1cc twice monthly In addition to the above which are required by my surgeon and/or my PCP, I also take: 5mg Biotin - this supports hair and nail health 3 1000mg Omega 3 Fish Oil - I don't eat fish 3 times per week Since I am post menopausal I don't need the iron supplement you younger women need, I get enough iron in my multi. My labs have been perfect since surgery with the exception of my vit D. But, as I said, that was a problem before WLS as well. FYI - the manufacturer is discontinuing the Creamy Bites so I am going to have to go back to the calcium supplement I was using. They are good, they taste like a big Sweetheart, but not as good as the Creamy Bites. The only calcium supplement we absorb properly is calcium citrate. We no longer have the stomach acid required to break down the calcium carbonate so that our bodies can absorb it. Calcium in any form must be taken separately from iron. Iron blocks the absorption of calcium. The b12 must be in either a sublingual or injected form, OR it must be bound to intrinsic factor for the body to make use of it. Our bodies no longer manufacture intrinsic factor and that is required to absorb b12 through the stomach and digestive tract. I would ask exactly what you are getting in the packet your doctor sells. I don't spend $20 per month on all of the vitamins I take. I'm sure the packets are convenient but, what will you do if he stops selling this service? How will you know what to take then? I've also heard of bariatric surgeons and nuts who have their patients taking calcium carbonate and tell them it doesn't make any difference. This tells me that they are not following the research on vitamin absorption and WLS patients. The finding on intrinsic factor just made the medical journals last year.

This is why I love this sight.  Somone asks a question and we all wind up getting educated.  Susan thanks for being so informed and willing to share you knowledge.  It keeps the rest of us in the know and lets us know we are on the right track.  You are awesome and I'm blessed to know you.

You're sweet!  I'm afraid I sometimes come across as a "know-it-all" and I am far from that. I just read a lot and feel like it is up to me to be an informed patient. Also, Dr. Spaw gave us a copy of the research regarding intrinsic factor last year after it was published.

Please do not view yourself as a "know-it-all".  You are a very well informed WLS patient and it is a blessing and benefit to the rest of us that are following in your footsteps.  I am thrilled you are on here along with a number of the other veterans.  That is what helps us "newbies" along.  I feel you veterans are as knowlegeable as our doctors and nutritionists, so keep posting all that knowledge you have - we love it and we most especially love you.

Thanks so much Susan for letting me know what you take...this is very helpful!
The Perfect Pak container says it is a Complete Gastric Bypass Vitamin and Mineral Supplement by Douglas Laboratories. It does have the supplement facts listed.
The Calcium notes that it is Calcium Carbonate/Calcium Citrate/Ascorbate Complex.

Can I ask what labs you have checked and how often? Does your PCP check your labs or does your surgeon?