I hope this makes sense.

I was just given the dx of moderate to severe osteopenia this week. This was my first bone density test. I had asked about getting one for the past few years, but I guess I did not push for it hard enough.

I also have GERD. I took prilosec for it for years and have been on nexium for about two years. Now I have found out that it may affect the absorption of calcium from your body. I also discovered that it is better to take calcium made from citrates than carbonates if you are on one of these drugs. What kind do I have? Calcium carbonate. Did any of my doctors mention this? No!

I am also on gabapentin. It also may affect the calcium in your body and cause bone density loss. I take it three times per day. I am now supposed to take the calcium with vitamin D two times per day. It should not be taken with two hours of the gabapentin or it lessens the absoption it the gabapentin. Did any of my doctors tell me this? No! I have been taking them at the same time. They told me to take one with breakfast and one with dinner.

I am trying to figure out when to take everything as the calcium should also be taken with food. I guess I will take them at lunch and dinner and hope my stomach can handle it.

I was also prescribed evista for the osteopenia. I picked it up today and will probably take it for the first time tomorrow. I am not too thrilled about its possible side efects.

I hate this!!!

sorry barb,

i'd actually be asking your dr why they didn't tell you these things.
what an oversight! a lot of drs aren't up on their drugs.
i'd try to make your pharmacist your new best friend.

also, i have a folder of drug company inserts on all my drugs, NOT the ones that come printed from the pharmacy.
i read them and if i find something odd then i ask the pharmacist or the dr.
it's too bad that we have to babysit these things but we do. i've learned that over time.

It makes me mad, at how Docs shell out pills and either igNore or scoff at the side effects. Your Doc should have made you aware and gave you Calcium supplements...SHeesh..

The internet has ruined it for a lot of care-do-not Doctors.. I never take a med without running it by my pharmacist.

I'm sorry about all the problems, Barb. I hope your doctor will realize that you're trying to be proactive about your health instead of reactive after the fact. They owe it to us to give us all the information on any medication they suggest that we take. Unfortunately, not all of them will take the time to give us the attention we deserve (and pay for).

Good for you for researching and learning about what's being put into your body.

your body WONT absorb more than 600 mg at a time, so if you are to take more, split the dose, and take one dose AM, and one PM 12 hours later. if you take more than that, its a waste, and will be just passed through your system without being absorbed.

Citrate is better! yes. You CAN reverse bone loss. Our bodies are a never ending scaffold and we are constantly building on it. Give your body the right tools and it will reverse this mess. You are right to investigate all the peices of the puzzle and not just the obvious ones. If you have GERD try chewing gum after meals, and you will find this dramatically reduces the symptoms. Sleep on your LEFT side. The curve of the stomach wont allow the acid to back wash up. On your Right side the curve allows for a large splash to occur.

Keep up the good work. I know you are frustrated, but you CAN fix this.

Don't blame you for the frustration. Since you brought this up, I found out that almost all the pills I'm on can cause the same issues. I really wish these docs would let us know this stuff! I find most of this stuff out through the boards or digging prescription info off the internet.

I hope you can figure out a game plan for your meds that will help with this stuff.

I'm sorry Barb. Somebody dropped the ball. I hope you'll be able to increase your calcium levels.

I'm so sorry about all of this , Barb . Every time anybody in my family is put on a new med I end up at drugs.com checking for interactions and side effects. The only doctor who tells me anything meds is my neuro.

It is just so ridiculous.

The MDs excuse is always

"the pharmacy gave you a hand out with all of the drug facts ... didnt they?" in other words, you are supposed to be your own detective, and do your own research. You are supposed to walk in to the MD office with a full 12 year degree in medicine, and be able to competantly argue that you want Calcium citrate, not cal mag. And be able to express the chemical compounds that interfer with the absorption from the Prilosec that you are taking for Gerd. Which by the way is NOT reccomended that you take for periods longer than 2 months. You are supposed to be finding ways to correct the GERD while using the med as a stop gap to get you through that period of correction.

Its impossible to be sick, and defend yourself against all of the available treatments without a degree in medicine or pharmacology these days.

btw, weight bearing exercise will help rebuild bone too. Walking, running, light weights being lifted, or those exercise bands that force your bone to move against the muscle will help.

hang in there barb.

Barb, I'm sorry you're having to deal with all of this at once, plus your MS.

I take calcium +D, 600 mg in the morning and 600 mg in the evening. I was told by my GYN to always split the dose because your body can only absorb so much at one time.

I used to have a cast iron stomach. I could eat anything spicy, and I love jalapenos and hot sauce. Then, I started getting an upset stomach from my favorite hot and spicy foods. I find that Tums and seltzer work wonders for my upset stomach. I did give up hot peppers and hot sauce, though. It just wasn't worth it anymore. Now, I find a lot of foods upset my stomach which is either because of all the meds I take or my age, or it could be both.

Weight-bearing exercise does help your bones. I lift 5-lb hand weights, plus I wear 2.5 lb ankle weights and 1.5 lb wrist weights to help with my tremors. I figure that is also helping my bones, and maybe some day I'll become toned!

I wish you the best with all of this.