calcichew - why do we take them?

I know why but is it because we become deficient after a bypass?how long do we take them?

I've been on them just over 3 weeks and had a garbled message from gp surgery telling me to stop taking them and make an appt to discuss my meds.

The appt isn't till a week tmrw.

So I'm upset and worried that they are going to take some of my meds away from me. I'm going to keep taking them while i have since.

I'll email my dietician tonight and also prof ammori, to discuss.

Hacks me off watching druggies going into boots every day for their free methodone hits, but they make me jump thru hoops and worry.

Anyone had any issues with their gp surgery refusing certain meds?

Sounds odd. What other meds are you on? Calcium and vitamin d are poorly absorbed by bypass patients. I have my bloods done every 3 months to check my levels - I'm also b12 deficient so have injections for that too. X

I'm on iron, vit d, b12, calcichew, multivits (which is only 13% calcium). I did just read online that calcium affects iron absorption but that's why i have to keep a minimum of 2 hours between tablets).

How long are you to take calcium? I'll buy it if i have to but I'll be so annoyed. Much as i love the nhs I've watched them play numbers games with my family the last few years (Inc one which led to my baby boy getting meningitis.

Yeah the nhs is being destroyed by bureaucrats! I've been on calcium and D since the beginning - 17 months out now x

Thanks nicola x

My 2 year old and at the time 3 month old got chicken pox and they no longer give anything for that unless you are on certain benefits. I find it weird - mrs was on maternity allowance of 27 quid a week, and couldn't get it but someone on 26k a year benefits can.

Sorry all my whinges are coming out now lol.

It is much harder for us bypassers to absorb some essential vitamins and minerals so therefore we have take supplements for life. Shockingly My GP mumbled that the new directive is once calcium and vit d is within healthy perimeters then supplements should be withdrawn.... I later crossed him on this AFTER I found the document with the new legislation on ... He had totally skimmed over the part that stated "unless the patient came under section blah blah blah" where it clearly showed bariatric surgery patients.... Thus is to same GP that told me to take a little bit of sugar if I was dumping

Thanks. I'll prepare for battle. Im sure my surgeon will back me up.

This is what the BOMSS guidelines from last September say:

Ensure good oral intake of calcium and vitamin D rich foods
Continue with maintenance doses of calcium and vitamin D as identified
preoperatively
Treat and adjust vitamin D supplementation in line with National Osteoporosis
Society Guidelines. Patients are likely to be on at least 800 mg calcium and 20
mcg vitamin D e.g. Adcal D3, Calceos, Cacit D3, however many patients will
require additional vitamin D

I was going to print off the BOMSS guidlines and give them to my GP highlighted lol Not sure if that is the right approach. Good to have them handy anyway . Good luck.

Unfortunately a lot of GP's just aren't clued up on the requirements of a bariatric patient... It pays to be well informed and pro active!
One doctor when I had the gastric balloon honestly could not get her head round what the gastric balloon actually was.. After explaining it quite clearly she retorted with ...oh ok so you have the gastric band then ....aaaaarrrggghhh this is exactly what we are up against sigh. My team were horrified with both the "take sugar" when I am dumping and the "near withdrawal of my adcal-D" but stated that this is not uncommon.

Thanks so much femfrankie. I'll make sure that is to hand for my appt (phone appt). X

Have you surgery taken bloods recently. Sometimes if you have any suspect kidney readings they can stop your calcium tablets. I take 2100 mg a day. I have celiac and have been on this dose since being diagnosed. But I was told they need to keep an eye on my kidneys ????

No, they haven't done a thing. They didn't even ask me any questions about the bypass - just dispensed the drugs.