What's the best calcium supplement that won't upset my stomach?

I've been taking Calcium Citrate, pineapple flavored dummies because I have a hard time swallowing calcium pills. So far they have not given me any problems. I got them on Amazon

Thank you Jocelyn. Good to know they come in another form.

You should be taking calcium and vitamin D

Hello Toni I'm almost 62 and been fighting cancer since 2018. In 2023 the cancer turned malignant and I have Mets on my spine, my ribs, and on several other places. I buy vitamin D, 1200mg Calcium, and I get a monthly injection of X-geva to strengthen my bones. For nausea I have Zofran, it's a pill that desolves under the tung. This is the best thing that happened to me, because is gets rid of nausea almost instantly. At least that's how Zofran works for me. Talk to your doctor about these meds and what else you can do so your body tolerates your medications better.

Calcium supplements that are easier on the stomach often include calcium citrate, which tends to be gentler than calcium carbonate for people with digestive sensitivities. Many community members have found success with chewable forms, liquid supplements, or taking smaller doses throughout the day rather than one large dose, though it's worth discussing these gentler options with your healthcare team to find what works best for your specific situation.

Have you considered switching from letrozole to tamoxifen? Both are effective, but tamoxifen is not bad for bones, big difference! I switched from anastrazole to tamoxifen to save my bones

BL What has your experience been???

For me, tamoxifen was better that the AI anastrazole, in terms of the side effects. Anastrazole really affected my mood. Also, my DEXA scan revealed that I am on the border of osteopenia, so anastrazole would further weaken my bones. The knowledge that my bones are no longer getting damaged is reassuring. I don't want to be cancer Free and sitting on a wheelchair

Hello BL I was on Tamoxifen and felt terrible. I had night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal discharge, hair thining, and I felt fatigue. After looking up side effects, I found out that Tamoxifen has terrible side effects. According to breastcancer.org Tamoxifen can cause the following side effects: The most common side effects of tamoxifen are: hot flashes vaginal discharge nausea mood swings fatigue depression hair thinning constipation loss of libido dry skin joint pain weight gain Tamoxifen also may cause serious side effects, including: Endometrial cancer: Tamoxifen may cause changes to the lining of your uterus, which can lead to endometrial cancer. I had vaginal discharge, my doctor ordered a hysterectomy to continue the treatment with Tamoxifen. I couldn't stand the eise effects of the treatment with other medications because I had terrible mood swings and the depressive symptoms. Personally, I didn't like being on Tamoxifen. BL it is best for you to do your research on how these medications can affect you. But most of all talk to your doctor about your concerns.

Monica, None of these treatments are what we would chose. It’s about the best chance of survival with as much quality of life as you can get. It all sucks! There is no perfect medicine in this scenario.

Well said. Each one of us is simply looking for their best chance. We are all different and we all will make different decisions. I wanted to help Toni, as she is having problems with the AI letrozole and osteoporosis, for her, perhaps, Tamoxifen is an option that she can discuss with her doctor. I had that same discussion with my doctor, and I ended up switching to Tamoxifen.

Monica, If you know of a treatment that works better without all the side effects we’d all love to check it out!!

Dear April I would appreciate it if you spelled my name right and you should read all the information before making replies. Also, why are you unpleasant towart me? Just like you, by shearing my experiences and I'm participating in discussions. Please think about how harsh the written language can be. I replied to BL to let her know what my experiences with Tamoxifen were. I took TamoxIfen for close to four years after my pcp ordered an MRI. My oncologist thought that Tamoxifen was working and I was in remission. However, the MRI showed I have tumors along my spine, some of my ribs, and on my clavicle. First, I was on Verzenio, and it quit working in December 2023, and I was switched to Truqap. In May, my oncologist that the Truqap. Now, I'm on Enhertu. This medication is a combination of chemotherapy and target therapy. To answer your question about medications that don't have side effects, you are right. There are none. All medications have side effects, and some of these side effects are more severe compared with others. Some medicines have side effects that help other diseases. Not all people experience side effects different the same way. When I had radiation (once five treatments on my spine and 15 treatments on my upper left breast), I was fortunate my skin stayed intact and had no rash or tching, nor did I feel a lot of fatigue. I like to know as much about my diseases, and im happy when scientists find new medications or treatments. However, I discuss my treatments and medications with my oncologist and healthcare team. But, every time time my condition gets worse, I feel worse, but I don't lose hope, and I'm trying to keep a positive attitude.

Monika, I’m sorry you’ve been through so much. I didn’t realize your story was so extensive. What was your original diagnosis?

Monika, I keep thinking about you and I’m sorry for my earlier response. I get tired of reading all the negative side effects of these medications that we don’t have a choice but to take. It’s scary and since my diagnosis, tbh, I don’t even recognize myself anymore. Nothing is in my control. The estrogen creams and tonics for feeling my best aren’t an option anymore and I’m very lost. I keep thinking there’s another side to all of this.

Dear April Thanks for the kind words and concern. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I thought, "This is the end for me". After a biopsy they found that my cancer was malignant. Next, one tumor of 12mm in size was removed, and under my left arm, the lymph nodes were removed, and three lymph nodes were positive for cancer. At the same time, my left breast was removed, and a few months later, I had my right side removed. Before the mastectomy of my right breast, my oncologist stated that my right breast is a healthy organ and I should keep it. I couldn't believe she said that. After all the cancer in my left breast was malignant! I didn't want to take any chances. The final diagnoses in 2018 was, I had an invasive dictator carcinoma and a 12mm big tumor. I am ER positive, PR negative and HER2 negative. My first treatment was Tamoxifen, but I had extreme night sweats, a blody discharge from my vagina, and I didn't feel good while taking it. Thus, my oncologist put me on an aromatase inhibitor because she was afraid that Tamoxifen would cause cancer in my uterus. This medication made me go crazy, I had severe mood swings, and the slightest sad feeling made me cry. Long story short, I had to have a complete hysterectomy, and I was taking Tamoxifen again. After four years of recovery, my oncologist and I thought I was on remission. But one day, I complained to my pcp about upper back pain. The MRI showed that I had two tumors on T9 and T12. During the four years, my oncologist never once did a cancer antigen test or any other test. According to the standards for oncology, it is not a standard of care to check a woman recovering from cancer if the cancer was returning. I feel that these standards should be changed when women had a malignant tumor removed. Even if a woman doesn't have any symptoms. My current cancer treatment Enhertu, an infusion, cost my insurance $65,000! The Verzenio was $24,000 per month, and the Truqap cost $35,000 per month. I hear you, women with MBC or any other metastatic cancer, must follow the treatment plan designed by their oncologist without much of a choice. We can research medications online, but it is the oncologist who makes the final decisions 🤔. Sometimes, I feel like I'm watching myself when I go to my doctor. Everything seems so surreal. It's crazy. Since I was diagnosed with MBC, I have developed depression and my doctor put me on an antidepressant. However, the medication helps me from going nuts. I also see a therapist, and that helps, too, keeping my sanity, 😆. Have you ever seen the commercial for Kisqali? The woman explains the stages in life, and after she is in menopause, the woman says she was diagnosed with MBC. I was so upset when I first saw this commercial because it sounds like it is normal for women in menopause to get MBC! But again, women with metastatic cancer don't have many choices. Oh well, the best thing is to keep a positive attitude and to make lemonade out of our lemons 🍋. I hope you find your way so you feel better. Ask questions about the medications and treatments when you see your health care team because they have the resources, and it is their job to answer your questions so you understand what is going on. Hang in there. One day at the time.

On top of everything else I have to stop taking Paxil which I’ve taken most of my adult life. It contradicts with the tamoxifen!So, on top of the big C, starting Tamoxifen in a month, I have to adjust to Lexapro! So, I get to be unstable mentally while starting my treatment!! It all feels like a lot!! Was round 2 with tamoxifen better?

Dear April No, Tamoxifen just didn't work, or I would not have MBC. It simply didn't work! Im sad you have complications with your antidepressant. The first antidepressant I took didn't work, so my pcp ordered a gene test, and we chose a medication that was better suited for me and didn't interfere with my cancer medications. I had to pay though out of pocket for the gene test. Im taking Pristiq (desvevenlafaxine), and it is a serotonin-norepinephrine replacement inhibitor (SNRI). Off-label uses are for anxiety, menopausal symptoms, and even pain. Since I'm taking this medication, I feel better, and my menopausal symptoms are not as bad anymore. Maybe changing medications will help you. Talk to your doctor about why Pxil works so well for you and that you are afraid about changing to a new antidepressant. It is important to let your doctor know your fears and concerns so that you can make a smooth adjustment to the new meds. I keep my fingers crossed for you prayers 🙏 ❤️

Why didn’t tamoxifen work for you?

Monika, The stats AI give me say 0.5-1%/year that my left breast will be affected. My right breast is ok because I’m getting radiation. Is this risk worth the possible side effects of this medication? Can I get your opinion?

April, Tamoxifen must be a good medication because it has been working for so many women with breast cancer for many years. My oncologist recommended radiation for me, but I declined because i have heart disease and the tumor was too close to my heart. I didn't know why Tamoxifen didn't work. I suppose it worked at the beginning, like the Verzenio and the Truqap. My theory is that the cancer gets immune to treatments, and then another medication will be tried. It's rough because every time I'm on a new medication, the side effects are worse. However, since I'm on the Enhertu infusions, I feel better. All that happened at first was that I lost my hair, I felt fatigue, and sometimes I'm nauseated. But that has stopped, and my hair is growing back.

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