Calcium Citrate

So, I went for my 1 month visit the other day and my doc took me off Viactiv and onto Citracal, because he said our bodies absorb calcium citrate better. Well, those pills are HUGE!!!!! I even cut them in half and couldn't get them down. I am supposed to take 4 a day, and I just don't see how that's going to happen. Had anybody found a calcium citrate supplement that is small and easy to swallow?????????? Erin

I have the chewable Calcium Citrate from Twinlabs. I'm now on full solids, and am 6 weeks out, but my surgeon wanted/wants me to be two weeks on solids before I start my calcium because it can cause constipation. I'll start it this Wed. I'll let you know how they are. I think I'll have to take about 4 a day split up into 3-4 different times through out the day. There are liquid forms of Calcium Citrate out there too that you can look into. I've seen some people post about them on the main bbs. I guess you can take just a TBSP a day and if kept in the fridge, tastes much better. Paula

One other thing...(and this comes from my surgeon who I believe is a genius on the subject of WLS)...he feels that for the first three months, nothing bigger than an M&M should go down whole in one piece. It must be broken up into smaller pieces (which I do for some of my regular meds)...so, taking that whole Citracal would be out of the question, because it's SO big and would get stuck or stretch the stoma. paula

I take the calcuim caltrate chewables. Is this the same God I hope so I have been takingh them for 2 weeks. They are huge chewable pills Take ZCare Barb

I tried a number of different calciums until I found the liquid ... I just add it to my crystal lite ruby red grapefruit drink .... I got it from www.bariatriceating.com .... I never even taste it. Jody

That's the one I use. But - someone told me that we don't absorb more than 500mg of calcium at a time, and it says serving size 1 Tblsp has 1200mg. So you still need to take it four times a day - 1/2 Tblsp at a time. --BT

Hi Barb, Calcium Caltrate is calcium carbonate. They had me fooled by the name "Caltrate" I thought it was the same as Calcium Citrate. It's not the same. Look for products with "calcium citrate." I did the same thing, I just bought some chewables and I have taken the liquid form too now with CITRATE not Carbonate. Take care too! Jan

My gosh I had no ideal... I need to stop those. I was waiting on a answer about that. Thank you ... Do you think I could take a pill. I have some of that kind here. The calcuimn citrate. I bought those before my surgery. I thought is was the same. These are in a pill form.. Thanks Barb

Hey Erin, I am in the same boat. Bought them at GNC and nearly died when I saw that I am supposed to take 4 a day. And they are HUGE! I went to 3 different pharmacies looking for a chewable without luck. All the chewables are calcium carbonate, and I guess we need the citrate version. I am going to keep looking. If you find something, let me know! Denise 253/s232/198/140

Try the liquid calcium citrate from Tropical Oasis. You can get it at mothernature.com or bariatriceating.com. I took one look at the size of those pills and knew I would not be able to get them down without it counting as a MEAL in itself! Amy