Current Pre-Op, self prescribed (;-) vitamins and minerals....

[A Dixon]

Hi all, I am still planning to have surgery, maybe in a few months (cash pay, trying to save my pennies!). I have looked under the "file" for vitamin suggestions, etc. but don't see anything that answers me questions. I hope that I am not violating any rules here, but...

My question has to do with the vits and supps that I am already taking. I usually order 90 days worth at a time. I am running out of some things, but I don't want to waste money and reorder something that I can't use after the surgery.

Could you please review what I am taking now, and comment on what you think...and what I will not be able to/need take after DS surgery? I am having my surgery in Mexico, and my PCP knows nothing about DS durgery, so I will be very reliant on you veterans to help me get what I need to stay healthy!

Thank you!

(cross posted)
>>>>>>

Magnesium Citrate tablet: 200 mg tablet, 1 am and pm

"Calciology,"tablet, Vitamin C, 500 mg; D3 600 IU; K2 126 mcg; Calcium 500 mg (as calcium citrate-malate); magnesium 250 (as magnesium oxide): 1 am and pm

Vitamin D3 tablet: (40 mg S. cerevisiae), 2000 IU 500

Krill Oil, soft gel: 1000 mg, 2 x am

Garden of Life Probiotic capsule: 50 Billion , 16 strains 1 x pm

CoQ10 soft gel: Vitamin E 67 mg, Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) 100 mg; 1 x am

Aspirin pill, 81 mg, 1x am

L Methylfolate, 15 mg capusule, 1 x am

I also am taking the following meds for depression: Effexor XL capsule 150 bid, Lamictal 200mg tablet qd, Wellbutrin, 150 mg qd: Ambien 10 mg pill hs.

Finally my multi..."Vitamin Code, 50 and Wiser Women:"

Multi Vitamin 5.19.17.jpg

 

[DianaCox]

• "Calciology,"tablet, Vitamin C, 500 mg; D3 600 IU; K2 126 mcg; Calcium 500 mg (as calcium citrate-malate); magnesium 250 (as magnesium oxide): 1 am and pm
  • Check the dosage - I'll bet you're supposed to be taking at least TWO tablets for one dose/"serving" or maybe even three (I don't know how they could cram all that calcium and magnesium into even two tablets), and you're getting much less of what you think you are.
  • If the K2 is not in dry/water miscible form, you won't be absorbing much of it
• Vitamin D3 tablet: (40 mg S. cerevisiae), 2000 IU 500
  
  • Worthless - you'll need dry/water miscible form, and much much more of it
• Krill Oil, soft gel: 1000 mg, 2 x am
  
  • I don't know about this - soft gels generally and oils generally are poorly absorbed
  • If you're taking it for lowering cholesterol or something, you are unlikely to need it anymore
  • Others may chime in about taking omega-3s
• CoQ10 soft gel: Vitamin E 67 mg, Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) 100 mg; 1 x am
  
  • Wrong form of Vit E - need dry/water miscible - IF YOU NEED IT AT ALL. Most people don't, even DSers
• L Methylfolate, 15 mg capusule, 1 x am
  
  • What is this for? Is there not folic acid in your multi? I assume you're not trying to get pregnant.

 

[Munchkin]

If you are doing AM and PM, the aspirin is better taken at night.

 

[KathrynK]

Honestly, I think you can spend less money and get the vitamins and minerals you need in the right form and right dose by following the guidance here. You can't go without labs as time goes on, so you should identify someone who will order the blood work. I don't buy vitamins with more than one ingredient because you can't adjust each element individually. I spent a lot of money on probiotics with little benefit for me(except after antibiotics), but others have different experiences.

I take Lamictal and there is a blood test to see what your Lamictal blood levels are. The dose has increased post DS and, contrary to popular wisdom, the extended release tablet produces the most stable blood levels for me. YMMV

 

[Spiky Bugger]

You will not know, for sure, what you will need post-op until you have post-op blood work done months after your surgery.

And, like KathrynK I avoid "cocktail" supplements and think that pills which contain ONE supplement are best.

 

[southernlady]

And, like KathrynK I avoid "cocktail" supplements and think that pills which contain ONE supplement are best.

Agree, with the exception of your multi which needs to be a Centrum equivalent. Many of us use the Kirkland Daily Multi (blue label).

A Dixon Meds for depression...make sure you are followed closely after surgery as these may need adjusting or changing. Make sure your prescribing doctor is fully informed on your new innards, pictures of your new innards are helpful, explaining that is "surgical short gut syndrome".

NOTHING based in oil will work. However, not all softgels are oil based which is why I don't say nothing in a soft gel will work. But vitamins in soft gels ARE oil based. Its just expensive poop to take those.

In order to get enough of those D you are currently taking, you would need to take TWENTY-FIVE each day.