Question:
Does anyone have sharp, sharp, sharp stomach pains after taking their supplements?

I take a centrum silver vitamin, fish oil, zinc, b12 and calcium, not all at one time, but... when I take the vitamin, zinc, fish oil and the b12 I get such severe stomach pains that I have ended up in the ER. They just gave me some pain medicine that doesn't work, I just took 5 of them and no relief. Just wanting to know what is causing the pain, I actually quit taking the supplements for a while because of the pain. It takes it a long while to stop hurting. I have read that zince could be the culprit, just wondering if anyone else has or had this problem.    — teedegee (posted on September 23, 2008)


September 23, 2008
Are you talking these all in tablet form? If so, you might try liquid form. I don't know really. I would recommend a call to your surgeon and see what he/she has to say. I'm concerned about reading that you took 5 pain pills at one time... is that correct? If so... whew, please be carefull as it sounds like too much. Good luck to you, Dawn Good luck,
   — DawnVic

September 23, 2008
Like Dawn, I am concerned that you are taking 5 pain pills at one time. Please do check with your doctor on this. Initially, I did have issues following my surgery because those pills were a challenge to get down and when they did, I could feel them in my little pouch. I learned to take liquids or to wrap each supplement with a teaspoon of food (I still do this), pace out the taking of the supplements and always swallow a supplement with the food. I still do this automatically. I've never taken my supplements on an empty stomach. In fact, my memory serves me that we were counciled not to take any supplements on an empty stomach. I am almost 4 years out from my RNY, my health is excellent and I credit a good portion of this positive result to adherence to not only exercise and keeping detailed records (still do it!), staying hydrated (96 oz. daily), getting enough protein (100 grams) AND fruits and vegetables (in juice form using my Juiceman II or my Vitamix), and ALSO ALWAYS taking my supplements: calcium citrate, vitamin B12 (Zip Fiz), Vitamin C, B complex, 4000 mg flax seed oil, 4000 mg fish oil, 1 Tablespoon coconut oil, baby aspirin (Dr. instructions), prenatal vitamins, Vitamin D, and Glucosamine Hydrochloride (I am 71 and my joints need support). I get my blood work completely checked out in all aspects at least twice a year. Are you perchance trying to swallow your pills on an empty stomach? If you are, that might be the problem. Try wrapping each supplement and take it with a teaspoon of food. Again, do check with your doctor (about taking 5 pain pills all at once) as well as your nutritionist on appropriate foods, etc. I wish you wonderful success with this journey! Christine Gibson, Obesity Help Support Group Coach
   — Christine Gibson

September 23, 2008
Did you say you took 5 pain pills....WAY TO MUCH. You need to call your surgeon and find out what the pain is from. When did you have your surgery? Are you taking the all 4 together and the calcium at a different time? The Calcium desn't bother you, but the other 4 do? Call your surgeon, that is what he is there for!
   — imaswtgrl

September 23, 2008
why dont you try taking bariatric vitimans, iron, and calcium? They are avaliable on most bariatric websites and were highly recommended by my surgeon and nutritionist. She also suggested a B12 shot every month. You need to talk to the nutritionist at your surgeons office and get information from her. Definately to much pain meds., especially if they are narcotics. I cant imagine a doctor giving you that quanity.
   — nonnie0406

September 24, 2008
After starting to take Centrum Silver, I have broken out in little red itchy spots. When I asked for advice, I was told that a lot of people act adversely to the Centrum Silver. I stopped taking it yesterday and the spots have already stopped itching. I think it's somekind of allergic reaction to "something" in that brand. I was also told that zinc could be the culprit. I don't (nor did my surgeon recommend) that I take zinc seperately. So I'd stop taking one first (probably the zinc) and see what happens. If it doesn't stop the pain, then stop the Centrum Silver. There are other vitamins out there you can take instead. (I'd stop taking the zinc altogether.) Hope this helps!
   — pattschiele

September 24, 2008
I haven't taken zinc since my surgery but I did take it once before my surgery and I will NEVER take it again because of the stomach pains. I thought I was dying from the stomach pains. While I'm not exactly sure what is causing your pains I can only suggest that it may be the zinc. Try taking your other meds without the zinc for a couple days and see what happens. I would definately call your bariatric surgeon though.
   — Sillyguts

September 24, 2008
Could be zinc or niacin. Switch to a good powerful "liquid" vitamin / mineral supplement like VEMMA. Go to www.TrySomeVemma.com Centrum is known for causing pain due to niasin along with "itching".
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 24, 2008
Before surgery I had acid reflux and since surgery I don't...BUT every once in a while I get an ache so painful below my pouch...and I take a prevacid and it disappears...I think it's acid...Vit's can be harsh on your pouch...I take my multi vits with a meal, liquid vits burn the holy heck outta my pouch I leave me ill for a few hours....So I have to take vits with food...I was near zinc def...so I use lozenges and they melt slowly in your mouth with no ill side effects. Taking a lot of calcium supps can cause a zinc deficiency...) I don't take any pills or hard tablets forms of vits specifically so they don't sit melting in my pouch...and then don't get fully digested anyway. Sometimes Vit C is harsh on my pouch too...and I take a lot will my iron... Again this is something I have to take with some food (non dairy for iron and vit c...dairy I take as a coating with multi vits)...
   — .Anita R.

September 25, 2008
I'm one week post op and using chewable vitamins with no problems at all. I ordered a package of calcium, multivitamin, B12, and iron from the surgery center where I had the surgery. My nutritionist said only chewable for the first 6 months since my pouch could not accomodate large pills that were "unchewed". I still take my lipitor as a non-chewable, but I cut it in half and swallow with small sips. Hope this helps. Sandra
   — sandra17




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