Question:
I recall the drs office stating we could not mix certain vitamins or i should say

take the vitamines together, but i dont recall which two, could somone clue me in. I take a mutlivitamine, the b-12, iron, folic acid and also take tums for the calcium. I thought it was the iron and the b-12 but wasnt sure help me with this please thanx    — Deanna Wise (posted on November 11, 2002)

November 10, 2002
calcium should be takenseperately from any vitamin with Iron in it. It will bind with the iron and make them both ineffective. Now, you need to be taking calcium citrate, not tums. Taking tums is giving you absolutly NO protection against osteoporosis in the future. PLease change this part of your vitamin regimine!! THanks and good luck
   — Vicki L.

November 10, 2002
Deanna, I found an excellent calcuim supplement. You can get it at Walmart or most pharmacies...Caltrate 600...it has vitamin d which is extremely important for your body to even absorb the calcuim. Tums really aren't the best for calcuim as they have no vitamin d in them. I am sure that your dr. recommended them but you can do better for your body. The caltrate even tastes like tums so they are really easy to take. Here is how I take my vitamins. Morning with breakfast I take my multivitamin and b12. Lunch, Dinner and Bedtime I take the calcuim so that your body will absorb them. They need to be taken 4 hrs. apart. good luck! Cathie P>
   — blank first name B.

November 10, 2002
Iron should be taken on an empty stomach and with Vit C for absorbtion. I take a 500 mg calcium citrate in the am, then the iron and C in mid-afternoon, multi-vitamin around dinner time, and the other calcium citrate before bedtime. B-12 injections once a month. Once you get into a rhythm its easier to take them at the appropriate times. Ditch the tums and get the calcium citrate.
   — Cindy R.

November 10, 2002
Calcium Carbonate and Iron do not mix. Calcium Citrate and Iron are fine to take together.
   — kristinevok

November 11, 2002
Calcium and Iron should not be taken together. Since you've had RNY you should be taking Calcium Citrate. Calcium Carbonate (TUMS, Caltrate, most others) needs stomach acid to be absorbed and you've had that part bypassed. See my profile for my vitamin routine if you'd like. I do now take a liquid calcium citrate that I found on www.vitaminworld.com instead of the capsules. It tastes good but must be refrigerated. I actually prefer the capsules but I was too lazy to order them online and bought the liquid as I passed by the Vitamin World store. =)
   — ctyst

November 11, 2002
Deanna, you are gettina lot of different answers and mixed messages here. I personally was told to not take ANY form of Calcium w/ Iron. However, it is MY understanding (per my dtr & nutrionist) that Calcium Carbonate is USELESS. We post-op RNY's need to take Citrate! Additionally, the iron & calcium within the multi-vitamin cancel each other out, that is why we take the additional sublements plus the absorbtion issue.
   — heathercross

November 11, 2002
Iron and C, together, alone, on a honeymoon, for an hour, no dairy, no caffeine. Although I've READ that calcium CITRATE & ferrous FUMARATE are agreeable, my eyes tell me no, it doesn't work. Those people still end up anemic. Also, please note that Caltrate 600 IS carbonate (Tums with a fancy name), and stick with calcium CITRATE whenever you eat & before bed. Carbonyl iron is fine with food (not dairy or caffeine), so no need to take on empty.
   — vitalady