Question:
Absorbtion of pills post-op
I am 10 1/2 months post-op and had a tubaligation but have been using various b/control pills for the past 5 months to control an irregular cycle (heavy period every 3 wks and it lasts 8-9 days). The pills are NOT working and I finally consulted an OB/GYN who has recently found new information that b/control pills are NOT being absorbed into the stomach of a post-op bypass patient; thus, many of them are becoming pregnant. He is recommending the b/c patch for me now to regulate my cycle. Please be aware that many other daily pills you may be taking are also not being absorbed (mine are: B-12 although there is an injection and under the tongue, Paxil - there is a liquid, Iron pill--unsure if this is being absorbed but I am anemic for 3 months now, calcium chews, and daily vitamin--may have to go back to Flinstones chewables??)...they are even questionning if Tylenol/headache medicines are working in our "new tummy" because all pills absorb differently. Please ask questions to your doctors and inform us all here on any solutions or suggestions. Thank you. — KristyKatt (posted on March 21, 2003)
March 21, 2003
I just wanted to make one comment. You mentioned "calcium
chews" and the calcium that comes in a "chew" form are
calcium carbonate, not calcium citrate. Many studies have proven that
calcium carbonate does not absorb well at all for regular people, much less
for us gastric bypass patients who have worse absorption issues to deal
with. Don't take any chances! Get the best for your bones and dental
health!<br>
Lap-RNY 1/13/03 -83lbs & Counting!
— thumpiez
March 21, 2003
Well, I'm not experienced with the post op BC pill question.(it seems that
break through bleeding would signal that these were not working) However,
when I have a headache I take an advil (allowed by my surgeon, BTW) or
Tylenol. My headache goes away, so I know it's being absorbed. The relief
of my symptoms is the sign that these meds are working. Shelley
— Shelley.
March 21, 2003
Twin labs makes a Chewable form of Calcium Citrate. The only problem is
that they are huge and you are suppose to eat 4 of them daily.
<p> Thanks for the B/C pill info I'll pass it on to the women
postops I know.
<p>Take Care, Be Well, Be Happy!
— John T.
March 21, 2003
I take Paxil & I know it's being absorbed, because I've tried to get
along w/o it before & I get so depressed I can't function. If it
weren't being effective I would be a complete nut case by now. So either
this Dr's info is wrong or my new tummy & shorter intestines are
different than your's (which I doubt very much).
— Terri G.
March 21, 2003
I take Synthroid (thyroid hormone replacement) and tests show that's being
absorbed. I'm wondering in your case, though, whether all the hormonal
craziness we get with losing weight rapidly is a more ready explanation for
your problems than a malabsorption failure of your b/c pills. A lot of us
who were regular as pre-ops have phases of being "irregular" with
our periods as post-ops because of the hormonal effects of rapid weight
loss. I'm wondering if it's possible that your b/c pills can't be expected
to regulate you reliably when you are undergoing rapid weight loss, which
is still obviously a BIG problem, but not necessarily or precisely a
"malabsorption" issue alone. I've also noticed some post-ops
report they turned up pregnant sooner than planned or recommended, but I
haven't seen any of them say that their birth control failed them -- it
always seemed like they thought they were infertile, but it turned out they
weren't. Also, I've heard that the b/c patch may not work if you're over
200 pounds -- don't know if that's true or not, though.
— Suzy C.
March 21, 2003
I take liquid calcium Magnesium Citrate, the dose is 1 Tablespoon (15cc) =
600mg calcium citrate; 400mg Vit.and 300mg Magnesium. I take it twice a
day. Real easy. I also take liquid B-12. When i'm done with my vitamins
Mega "75" i will start taking a liquid in that (if there is one
that taste good) Just some info for you . I get my vits from the Vitamin
Shop. Jan
— Janet S.
March 21, 2003
I've had alot of problems with breakthrough bleeding on my birth control
pill since my surgery on dec 18th/02. My surgeon's nurse-practitioner said
that I need to try a stonger pill, becuase it's possible that it's not
being fully absorbed now. However, breakthrough bleeding does NOT mean that
your pill isn't working. Maybe you just need to try a stonger BCP... I'm in
the process myself of trying a stronger one, and that's helped with the
bleeding, but not stopped it completley, so I'm going to try another,
stonger one next month. Good luck! Patricia 285/235/180
— Patricia E.
March 22, 2003
Kristy thanks for the info. I ask this to anyone- does this mean we should
take liquid vitamins instead of regular all the time? Yes, my labs are and
been great at 9 months post-op, but what about 2 years down the line- could
I just be deteriorating and it just takes a while to do so. Kind of scares
me. I take my vitamins religiously (B12, multi, calcium citrate), but is
this really good enough!? I plan to speak to my doctors, its been worrying
me for a while.
— Lezlie Y.
March 22, 2003
Its true that some pills are not absorbed in our systems. We don't do well
with time released ones as they leave our system too quickly, and some
people have commented that they can actually see their pill form vitamins
in their stools, still whole. Its best to try to either take chewables (I
still take Flintstones) or liquids or pills that you know are quickly
absorbed. I, too, had to switch to a hormone patch instead of pill, take
B-12 thru injection, and calcium citrate capsules that break down and
absorb quickly into our systems.
— Cindy R.
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