Saw my health care provider at the VA today. He sez that for men that are still producing testosterone the calcium thing is a non issue. It is when testosterone production diminishes that men are not able to absorbe calcium while taking a proton pump inhibitor such as Omeprazole. He said that for men a bone density scan isn't usually needed until sometime past 70 years of age.He also sez that loosing weight (which I am able to do so far, only about 30 lbs too much) will help as the weight places pressure on my stomach which causes the reflux. I would like some feedback on this. If I don't take this stuff in the morning that evening is painfull enough to keep me up and slamming antiacids doesn't help even though they're supposed to have added calcium.
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i have reflux too (gerd?) and here are a few things i do: sleep on my right side, sometimes take a swig of aloe vera juice (gel is best) before laying down at night. it tastes nasty but it works for me. i had sent off for a remedy/cure on the internet ($39.95) only to learn his big secret was honey and red delicious apples. the honey may help a little but overall i was duped. but hey what have we got to lose. i have lost weight (50 lbs) which i think has helped a lot although sometimes it seems like i have more acid in my stomach when i don\'t eat. anyway, i\'m not sure if this is what you wanted feedback on but this is my 2 cents. i hope you have a good night.
Thanks, my concern is the calcium thing. Prilosec (Omeprizole, which I take and will swear by) stops the acid process which limits the ability absorb calcium which can lead to bone loss or brittle bones. Eah just joined the Osteoperosis group. She has calcium issues, and Dr. Orrange (Dr. of internal medicine and advisor here at DS) has mentioned about some new studies about the use of medications like I use causing those very things. I try to not eat anything about 2 hours before laying down so that what ever process is happening in my stomach is pretty much finished by then. I can\'t sleep in one position and never wake up in the same position twice. (makes sleeping with a CPAP mask not fun!)