Pouch does not like calcium citrate

Has anyone had trouble taking calcuim citrate? After my RNY the MD had me on 6 Tums a day for calcium. When I was 1 yr post op I started on Citrical. After a few months I noticed that my pouch didn't feel too good after eating and then it got to where it didn't feel good all day and night. It felt like my pouch was having spasms. I quit taking the Citrical and went back to taking the Tums and the spasms are gone now. Any input would be appreciated.

Hi Carol, I have not had that problem, and I'm sorry that you have been having it. I had a similar problem with cold water. It started at about 6 mos and still sometimes bothers me at 13 months out. Anyway! What form of Citracal were you taking? Pills? Chewable? I had been slack taking calcium citrate, and was taking only calcium carbonate (Viactiv chews) because I couldn't find one I could deal with, pill or chewable. Twinlabs makes a chewable citrus flavor, but I had a hard time keeping it on hand & didn't take it as often as I should have. I developed kidney stones, and this was suspected to be a contributing factor (my calcium slackness). I recently found that Citracal makes a CREAMY BITES form of calcium citrate, and they are delicious. They come in several flavors (choc mint is my favorite). They have fat 1.5g, carbs 5g, and 500 mg calcium citrate, along with vitamin D3 200 IU. I have NO problem getting in my calcium citrate now (and I still also take calcium carbonate). Hope you get it figured out with your pouch! Maybe it will like the chews Kathy

The surgeon who performed my emergency gallbladder removal in January, (she is a bariatric specialist) advised me to use Citracal-D, yup the big horsepills. BUT! Don't swallow them, let them dissolve in whatever I would like to drink. It has no taste, and the outer shell/coating, simply sits at the bottom of the glass, no need to ingest it. I've had no problems getting all my calcium in since taking this suggestion. As for the citrate causing tummy problems? I think its more likely you have something else going on that the Tums was masking. If I were you I would call the Doctor. Michele

My thought is that it might not be the Calcium citrate that is the problem, but the form - big PILL. Try either grinding it or changing to a different form. UpCalD is an excellent choice and can just be mixed with a shake as it is in powder form. Vitalady.com carries it. She also carries a couple different capsule forms as well, but both of those will have to be calculated at the rate of 28% elemental calcium to know how much elemental calcium you are getting per each dose of calcium citrate. You can email me if you decide on a capsule and I can help you decipher the label. It is entirely possible that you have just had an ulcer lurking there and the tums was helping with it. You might want to have that checked out. The Tums are worthless to you for calcium and protecting your bones. Sandy

We have the same Dr. I had Dr S when he was in Illinois and he left a few months after my surgery. He did a nice job, my scar is as nice as anything a plastic surgeon could have done.

I am thinking the tums may be affecting something else going on IE an ulcer or reflux or something else that should be assessed by your doctor or a gastroenterologist asap

I still can't tolerate CaCitrate pills or capsules. They don't sit well with me, either. I use chewables and will probably always use chewables. I like TwinLabs chewable Ca Citrate (they taste like a big SweeTart). I also have used Nutraceutical Sciences Institute chewables, which have a vanilla taste. Eileen