[iwant2bethin]

Hi Doc,

I am a little worried I am slacking when it comes to taking my vitamins. First of all I have had an RNY. My surgeon has told me I need the following:

Biotin (optional but I wanted to Take it)
3 Complete Multi-vitamins (flintstones)/day
2 Caltrate 600+D chewables

Also, I am to be taking Iron pills due to my blood work showing low iron. I have some on hand but they dont make them with + vit C which is the only way it would be absorbed so I just didnt take them.

Also, I was told that the best calcium and ONLY calcium to take from a friend is calcium citrate +D but the things are SO HUGE i cant do it!! I practically choke and I have the mini's!!

So let me tell you how i take my vitamins. Biotin in the protein shake. Then each morning i chew all three multi's and the 2 caltrate chewables all at the same time. The others i forgo because i dont know how to space them out and i have no idea how to take this many vitamins so they will be absorbed.

Is what I am actually taking and how i am taking them ok or not? What is the right way to do this??

Thanks so much!!

[DocSanae]

First off, VitC is not related to iron absorption. However, VitB12 is necessary in the maturation of red blood cells, which is why lack of VitB12 causes anemia.
VitC deficiency results in scurvy, which is a break down of cells and tissues because VitC is essential in forming substance that act as *glues* in our body.
Iron is absorbed through the small intestines by combining with a protein called apotranferrin, and is absorbed very slowly, only a few milligrams per day. (!)

Iron and calcium need to be spaced apart by at least 2 hours because they get in each other's way, but otherwise, space the vitamins apart as you can take them comfortably, and don't worry too much.
If you find pills difficult to take, there's always the option of liquid vitamins and sprays as well.

[not quite Barbie]

I suggest you read some of the posts about vitamins and what happens if you don't take them. There was one about 6 months ago about a woman who wasn't taking hers and she ended up in a wheelchair and permanently disabled. That scared me into taking my vitamins religiously.

I pack all my vitamins & supplements in a baggie and take them to work. I put them at the base of my monitor where I will see them and then I take them throughout the day. I take my Flintstones Complete plus Iron with my meals because they need fat to absorb the fat-soluable vitamins. I take my biotin, a flaxseed oil and one calcium together during one of my drinking periods; Vit D, B12, calcium, flaxseed during my next drinking period, and another flaxseed and calcium during my drive home which is another drinking period.

BTW I'm taking flaxseed oil because I had really dry eyes and it cleared it up, plus it's Omega-3 so it's good for a lot of other things. I'm taking the D because I was low pre-op, and the B12 just because I don't ever want to get low on B12. Once I get my latest blood results back I might stop taking these two. I could probably stop the biotin, my hair has stopped falling out (it lasted 2 months) but I'm thinking it will help with the regrowth.

Try to set a pattern and then it gets easy to remember to take them. Good Luck!

[iwant2bethin]

Heres the thing, my B12 level was fine Doc but my iron low. So what vitamin should i be taking. I am positive my surgeon said you need citrus for your iron to absorb. Maybe i am crazy!! lol

Also, is it ok to throw all the chewables in my mouth at a time to get them in or should i space them out??

thanks Corinne

[Kenyar]

if im not mistaken, they should be spaced out. due to our absorbtion issues. as to the type, we see all of our dr's instruction is different for some strange reason. stick to what your doc has ordered specifically for you, and you cant go wrong. good luck

[clancythecamper]

NQB - thanks for the tip on flaxseed oil - My eyes are so dry I cant wear my contacts anymore!!! I have to use drops constantly and no one ever mentioned a supplement for this! I'll just have to try it! Thanks. I barely remember to take my vitamins so sometimes they do get lumped in together ~~ this is probably my worst issue and one I have to work at every single day! Maybe I should try your method...

[ragdolldude]

I use an excellent liquid vitamin, and also use powdered calcium citrate. The powder is mixed with morning oatmeal, shakes or other foods. This eliminates the horse pills in my daily regimine. BTW, the liquid vitamin is one ounce per day.

[kimtindall]

If your Iron is coming back low, it may be because are not taking the correct one. My surgeon has me on Ferrous Iron (which I get from Walmart) since that is the one that is best absorbed by us. Also, you should be taking your calcium at seperate times instead all at one time since our body doesnt absorb it all. I take one pill and then another about 2 hours later. In the mornings I wake up and take my Iron pill and 2 hours later I take my multi vit, Biotin, Vit E, B1 and then wait 2 hours to take my calcuim. I get a B12 shot once a month from my PCP, but you can get the sublingual from Walmart). I tell you, it is difficult at times, but I remember that story about the lady in the wheel chair and that scared the heck out of me.

[Corrine]

I take a few more vitamins and supplements but all have been cleared by my doc.

This is how I take them:

I usually have to get up to go to the bathroom around 2-3 in the morning so I take my vitamin C and iron (polysaccharide iron) then. Look for VitronC - it's vitamin C with iron if that's how you'd prefer to take it.

Noon - B-12, B-100 complex, calcium citrate, vitamin D3 and 1 multi-vitamin.

Evening - Vitamin B1, calcium citrate, vitamin D3, 1 multi-vitamin.

Bed - calcium citrate

I also add calcium citrate to my liquid (UpCal-D) once during the day.

I'd recommend UpCal-D powder to anyone. I liked Citracal Creamy Bites but they're not being made any more. I don't have a problem taking the big horse calciums but I know a lot of people do. UpCal-D powder can be added to your fluid - I even mix mine with apple sauce or yogurt etc.

[judijo]

Originally Posted by not quite Barbie

BTW I'm taking flaxseed oil because I had really dry eyes and it cleared it up, plus it's Omega-3 so it's good for a lot of other things.

Barbie...you swallow those HUGE capsules of flaxseed oil? Aren't you afraid it will get stuck in the pouch?