Osteoporosis Support Group

I would suggest that you call your doctor back and get things clarified. I personally take Os-Cal D and also Vitamin D. I have osteoporosis.

I'm with Queenie- it's obviously best to discuss this with your doctor. Are you eating a balanced and healthy diet with plenty of foods that contain calcium? Obviously, that's the best place to start, since the vitamin tablets your doctor recommended are just supplements to actual good nutrition. Also, I noticed you smoke- that is a sure-fire way to lower your bone density. See if you can quit altogether, chica!

As for vitamin D + calcium- basically, in order for your body to use calcium, you have to have vitamin D. Essentially, it's how your body "unlocks" the calcium you have ingested in order to be used.

Thanks. I got some calcium tablets that contain only vitamin D. 50-50 each. So, I'm trying those.

Also, I haven't smoked for 4-1/2 years. Joined Smoking Addiction & Recovery, to help a friend quit. But, its true, I'll always be an addict - just a non-smoker.

I have osteopenia as well and take 1,500 mg calcium a day in 500 mg increments (500mg/breakfast; 500mg/lunch; 500mg/dinner). Last year I developed a vitamin D deficiency and I had to take Rx vitamin D 50,000 I.U. for about a month and half. Along with that I had to take OTC vitamin 1,200 I.U. daily which I am taking to this very day. I usually take the vitamin D in the morning when I take the first 500 mg tablet of calcium.

I think you need a clarification, also. The recent thinking is that the Vit D is actually more important than the Calcium. Be sure your doc checks your levels--easy and cheap. You may need more than comes standard. It's also easy to find (Vit D3) and cheap. There isn't really any difference in the kinds of calcium, except that some pills dissolve better in stomach. I switched from caltrate/D to Citrical/D, and then to a hybrid called Bone Health from Ultra Ceuticals because I have trouble with stomach acid, which is essential for absorption. This formula has D3, K2, K1, Calcium, Mag, Mang, Strontium, boron, silica. I can't take any of the oral osteop. meds now, so after 4 yrs of them, I've given up. If you are taking PPIs and antiacids, watch out for that.

I was taking Costco's calcium citrate with vitamin D, magnesium and zinc. I bought what I thought was some better calcium and D from a natural food store. Then I happened to read that it's a good idea to test the calcium to make sure it dissolves. If it doesn't dissolve in some water or vinegar after about a half hour, it won't dissolve in your stomach either. Well, of course, Costco's dissolved just fine. The other one didn't!!

thanks all - I did call my doctor back. She again told me to take calcium & vitatim D tablets separately - I told her that the ones I'm finding in the stores are pills together: in other words, mine is calcium w/vitatim D, and not calcium tables & vitamin D tablets. That's all I saw. So, I guess I'll just take one in the morning & one at night. Don't see the difference. Thanks again!

I had a Vitamin D deficiency a few years ago even though I was taking supplements. I have found that I seem to absorb it better when I take it as cod liver oil.

Hi, I'm new on this group. Recently I went to the health fair near me and did a bone scan on my right foot. The number she gave me was -1.7. Can someone tell me what this means? My bones all over my body are hurting and I don't know what to do. What kind of doctor do you ask about this? My regular doctor, I'm sorry to say, isn't worth going to anymore. Usually she spends a few minutes, then gets up and says that she is curious to find out what I find out. So I won't waste my money going to her.

I am going to my endocrinologist in two days and I didn't know if I should mention anything to him.

I had a blood test done three years ago and my blood calcium was low. But that was when I was visiting overseas and left soon afterwards.

I was also wondering what causes the bone loss??? Is there anyway to get rid of this bone pain???

thank you.

The easies way to get your calcium & Vit D is Viactiv in 3 different flavors over the counter. I love the chocolate one. Each small chew is 50% of what you should take a day, plus Vit K. A lot of people like pudding too. There's many things you'll find Calcium in.