I'm supposed to take 1500 mg calcium citrate a day, and I'm really having a difficult time getting it in. I think part of the problem is that the pills are so big, and I need to take 2, 3x a day. I'm not crazy about the chews, because I'd really like to keep costs down. Anyone have any tips? I bought the powder, but that is 'grainy'... thinking of trying Calcium Citrate petites, but would have to do those 4x day...

I'm still taking some bariatric vitamins 4 months post op. I'll return to more regular vitamins as I run out. For calcium, pre-op I bought soft gels from Puritan Pride. They are large. I take two a day. Most of their pills I buy cost 3 - 5 cents a pill. I order in spring and fall to avoid their overheating in the weather otherwise.

In the morning I put my Citricals in a small finger bowl. Then I take a couple every couple hours. When I am up and about I put them in a zip lock bag and take them with me. For me this is not difficult. Sometimes I take two at once.

But right after surgery, I lost my ability to swallow large pills and I had to crush them. It was like eating chalk. The only way I could down these was by mixing them with crystal light and drinking them down. Because they formed a paste at the bottom of the glass. I had to remix these and chug them down several times. Luckily my inability to swallow lasted only a couple months and then I was back to normal.

In the morning I put my Citricals in a small finger bowl. Then I take a couple every couple hours. When I am up and about I put them in a zip lock bag and take them with me. For me this is not difficult. Sometimes I take two at once.
But right after surgery, I lost my ability to swallow large pills and I had to crush them. It was like eating chalk. The only way I could down these was by mixing them with crystal light and drinking them down. Because they formed a paste at the bottom of the glass. I had to remix these and chug them down several times. Luckily my inability to swallow lasted only a couple months and then I was back to normal.

Do u take the minis?

I use bariatric advantage- they have calcium chews that are like a chocolate- other flavors too.

I use bariatric advantage chewy bite 500's. Just take one after each meal and they taste good. I usually keep a bag of chocolate and caramel on hand and sometimes switch out with peanut butter.

I'm supposed to take 1500 mg calcium citrate a day, and I'm really having a difficult time getting it in. I think part of the problem is that the pills are so big, and I need to take 2, 3x a day. I'm not crazy about the chews, because I'd really like to keep costs down. Anyone have any tips? I bought the powder, but that is 'grainy'... thinking of trying Calcium Citrate petites, but would have to do those 4x day...

They have the patches. I am going to start using patches for my vitamin regimen. You can order them from the Bariatric Pal store.

Sent from my XT1097 using BariatricPal mobile app

I take Citracal for calcium and D it's slow release and works well at keeping my vit D up which I struggle with but unfortunately they're large pills.

On 7/31/2017 at 8:32 PM, 3boysmama said:

Do u take the minis?

I have taken the Calcium Citrate petites primarily because they were on sale at the time. But you have to take around 7 or 8 of them throughout the day. It just seems like the bigger ones are better because there are fewer and less hassle.

But at the beginning when swallowing large pills is a problem, the mini's may be a solution.

I've had a lot of calcium issues (parathyroid) and I've experimented a lot.

The reason we are told calcium citrate is that calcium carbonate needs a lot of acid to be digested and between having less stomach and taking acid reducers we just can't profess it.

I've actually found calcium hydroxapetite works well for me. This is what I use now and they have several formulas some are two a day to meet your needs.

Check this out: Jarrow Formulas Bone-Up, Promotes Bone Density, 360 Caps Jarrow https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045X82OE/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdo_TXdLzbRFEHHTD

I'm supposed to take 1500 mg calcium citrate a day, and I'm really having a difficult time getting it in. I think part of the problem is that the pills are so big, and I need to take 2, 3x a day. I'm not crazy about the chews, because I'd really like to keep costs down. Anyone have any tips? I bought the powder, but that is 'grainy'... thinking of trying Calcium Citrate petites, but would have to do those 4x day...

I found this at Wal-Mart. It's much cheaper than the chews. Easy to get down and it's only one tablespoon 3 times a day for 1500 mg. The chews taste better but it's not bad just strong orange flavor.

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I found this at Wal-Mart. It's much cheaper than the chews. Easy to get down and it's only one tablespoon 3 times a day for 1500 mg. The chews taste better but it's not bad just strong orange flavor.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using BariatricPal mobile app

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using BariatricPal mobile app

I found this at Wal-Mart. It's much cheaper than the chews. Easy to get down and it's only one tablespoon 3 times a day for 1500 mg. The chews taste better but it's not bad just strong orange flavor.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using BariatricPal mobile app

Thanks! I'll try it!

Thanks! I'll try it!

Taking this and am switching to the patch. Blah!

Sent from my XT1097 using BariatricPal mobile app

I just ordered Celebrate Calcium Citrate plus 500mg chewable, orange burst 270 count for 49.99 off of amazon (free 2 day shipping), that is a 3 month supply (at 3 per day)...i tried the petites but was having to take 6 per day and was a bit of a pain...hoping these chewables taste good.