Calcium

[anonymous]

I was wondering how many of you take calcium supplements?
I went to a non-CF Dr a few weeks ago & he was very surprised that my CF doc doesn't have me on calcium supplements.
Well, that got me to wondering if I was the minority here and if almost everyone else w/cf takes calcium. I do know WHY he said that (because of premature osterperosis), but my bone density scans always come out OK.
Elle

 

[anonymous]

I've only been on calcium and D -- and on Actonel -- since my bone scan turned up pretty much nothing but cornmeal last winter. I think it would be hard for an individual to tell whether the calcium sups help or not. However, I read about a study that said they have a pretty limited effect in CF patients. Still, who knows? Since osteopenia is almost inevitable if you live long enough with CF, even a limited effect is probably worth it.

 

[thefrogprincess]

Since vitamin D is fat soluble we don't absorb it well, and you can't absorb calcium without D. I had a bone scan 2 years ago that showed the beginnings of osteoperosis. It is very important that you get lots of calcium before age 25 (especially women) because after that your body doesn't absorb it very well. There are a couple different kinds of calcium that are more easily absorbed (I don't remember the names). Tums has it but I got tired of the chalky-ness so I switched to Viactive, they come in lots of flavors and taste like candy.