Struggling with vitamins

 I am really struggling to get my daily vitamins.  My one a day MVI (that I am supposed to take twice a day) makes me really nausated.  It doesnt happen all the time, but frequently. I take them with food to help, but my brain is set to NO LIQUIDS after eating so it makes remembering to take a vitamin after eating hard.  Because my MVI has iron in it I have to try to remember to take the calcium later.  Grrrr.  I usually end up forgetting to take my calcuim at all.  This is NOT good and I know it.  Yes I eat lots of yogurt and diary, but it is not going to be enough long term.  SO.......  I opted to try the ENS MVI with calcium drink mix and add iron right before bed.  I think with all the water I drink and I usually use some kind of drink mix with it, it should work.   I think I will need to add a few extra calcium, but they dont make me sick so it shouldnt be a problem.    Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas that might help??  Taking pills consistantly has been a life long problem for me.   (and also the reason I use I use birthcontrol shots, NOT pills)  I appreciate any feedback.

Kat

 Have you considered chewables or gummies?  Centrum makes a chewable, but it's a tablet, so it's not the best tasting but it's doable.  Viactiv makes a soft chew (both multi and calcium) that are like Tootsie Rolls, but softer.  And there's a ton of ones that come as gummies.  There are also liquid vitamins and some that come in powder form that can be added to drinks or meals.

 How are your labs? I guess you should get them run to see how your levels are to see what you need to focus on. 

I had the issue with iron/calcium but I said F*** it and I just take them at the same time. I know it's not idea but I have to take them all before I leave my house in the AM, and well...it's either that or I dont take them (I dont have any malabsorption issues though and my labs are good except the Vit D). I do take a separate calcium/Vit D supp in the evening, seperate from any other vits though. 

I like centrums chewable MV. Im weird, but it's orange flavor and unlike the pills, it doesnt bother my stomach (i cant swallow a MV - i get naseous immed with or without food in my stomach). 

Actually, my labs are fine.  I was shocked.  I used the Centrum Chewables, but I really didnt like them.  I had also tried some chewable from bariatric advantage that were rough tasting.  I am really hoping the ENS drink mix will solve some of my problem. 

Thanks for the suggestions.  I may just start taking the calcium whenever.  Some is better than none.

Kat

I'm usually so busy that I need it to be as easy as possible, or I'll forget.

As an RNYer you need:

2 multis a day that have 100% of the RDA. Most Multis have Calcium Carbonate, and do not contain all the Vitamins and Supplements you need, so pay attention to the label. Gummies usually are lacking in zinc, copper, selenium and some if not all of the B Vite's

1500 mg min Calcium Citrate (NOT CARBONATE, so watch the labels) but they can only be taken in 500 mg doses because that's all we can absorb at one time.

500 mcg of B-12 a day taken sublingually.

The ASMBS recommends 54-63 mg iron for menstruating women, and 36 mg daily for everyone else. Unless of course your labs indicate you need more. Carbonyl iron with vitamin C are the best iron for us and the most economical. This must be taken 2 hours away from your Calcium.

So, here is a plan I use:
1 multi, calcium ( I use chewables, so I don't need to worry abut a water source when on the run), and b-12 in the morning when I wake up with my morning shake.

I carry my mid day calcium, and eat it on the run.

I take my last multi and calcium before bed at night.

I'm post menopause, so I don't take iron, but if I did, I'd fit it in at dinner time. If you need it with food, ask your doc if with milk will be okay.

I put all my pills in a pill container for each day of the week and have another for night time. I put my Calcium in small zip lock baggies you can find t the pharmacy and carry one in my pocket a day. Having it all sorted out really helped me a lot.