Calcium Supplements and Bone mets

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AnnE16
AnnE16 Member Posts: 241
edited November 2017 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

For those with bone mets, how much calcium do you take daily?  Is too much calcium bad for you?

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  • Chickadee
    Chickadee Member Posts: 4,467
    edited May 2012

    I am wondering about that because news reports this week indicated that too much calcium can contribute to heart problems. The recommendation was food based calcium not suPplements. It's always something.

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  • Skream
    Skream Member Posts: 170
    edited May 2012

    I do 1500 mg per day, tablets that also contain vit D

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  • lulubee
    lulubee Member Posts: 1,493
    edited May 2012

    My onc wants me to take 1500 mg per day in three divided doses.  The reading I've done supports that -- apparently the body can only absorb about 500 mg at a time.  She says if you're taking a bisphosphonate or Xgeva, you absolutely have to take calcium, magnesium and D3 every day.

    I take three kinds of calcium, because I don't want to trust my poor, marbled bones to one formula.  I take New Chapter Bone Strength, a great formula sourced in marine algae which is a more readily absorbable form, and also a liquid formula from Country Life which has calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and D3.  Sometimes at bedtime I take a shot of Natural Calm Plus Calcium -- a cal/mag powder that fizzes in water.  It helps me sleep, and also helps with the bowel regularity issues from all the drugs as well.

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  • Chickadee
    Chickadee Member Posts: 4,467
    edited May 2012

    http://www.sci-tech-today.com/news/Calcium-May-Boost-Heart-Attack-Risk/story.xhtml?story_id=121002K7V74O

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  • SPAMgirl
    SPAMgirl Member Posts: 1,470
    edited May 2012

    I would continue taking them. They've given me 1 year, I'm not worried about a heart attack.

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  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited May 2012

    Thanks for the link Chickadee.  I'm very bad about not taking calcium, but I do eat dairy regularly and take Vit D.  This report raises more questions than it answers.

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  • nancyh
    nancyh Member Posts: 2,644
    edited May 2012

    I'm bad about taking calcium, though I keep a box of Viactiv carmels in my desk at work and try to remember to eat one for "dessert" after lunch.  I drink orange juice with calcium most mornings and eat enough cheese (mostly in the form of pizza!) that my onc says I'm fine.

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  • Chickadee
    Chickadee Member Posts: 4,467
    edited May 2012

    I love cheese and manage a nice cheese pizza about once a week or so. OJ is fortified with C and D. I like milk too. Just can't seem to choke down more capsules so my calcium tabs sit ignored in the cabinet.

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  • Heidihill
    Heidihill Member Posts: 5,476
    edited May 2012

    I try to have 4-5 servings of a dairy product a day. Some veggies also have calcium and also Vitamin K which is good for the bones. My stomach couldn't take the supplements. And my onc told me it was better to get it from food anyway.

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  • sandilee
    sandilee Member Posts: 1,843
    edited May 2012

    Don't forget almonds, leafy greens and sardines! 

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited May 2012

    Interesting, because my onc told me to stop calcium supplements when I got the bone mets dx. He  said bone mets can cause hypercalcemia so wants me to get calcium only from diet.

    Leah

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2012

    I buy Greek yogurt and one cup has 30% calcium.  I put Stevia in it and fruit.  Also just a little granola.  It's fat free and fills you up.  I like eating it for breakfast.  Just a thought to get calcium in via foods.  I also take Calcium supplements, magnesium citrate and Vit D.  I'm so tired of pills!

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  • AnnE16
    AnnE16 Member Posts: 241
    edited June 2012
    That is really interesting Leah_S!  Has your oncologist told you to stay away from any other supplements?
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  • 007_Kara
    007_Kara Member Posts: 48
    edited June 2012

    I am on Zometa and they told me to take 1500 mg of Calcium w/ Vitamin D.

    I got the Citrical Calcium Chews w/ Vit. D. I take 2 in the am and 2 at night with food.

    Gummy chews make it less like a pill and more of a chewy treat.

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited June 2012

    Smiley, calcium is the only supplement he spoke about. I take magnesium to avoid leg cramps and he said that shouldn't be problematic.

    Leah

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  • tammie
    tammie Member Posts: 738
    edited June 2012

    Sorry i have little advice but am gonna follow this thread as initially i was told to take 800mg a day, which i forget more than i seem to remember..However this week upon discharge from the hospital the nurse was going over my med list and informed me my Onc had ordered me to stop the calcium as calcium blood levels were too high? I have yet to be able to discuss this with him as we r knee deep into tryin to figure out this large mass thats appeared in my lung... Its on my list of ?'s when i see him on the 20th... Wish i was of more help but will b sure to follow this thread..Tank you..Tammy

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  • K-Lo
    K-Lo Member Posts: 2,743
    edited June 2012

    Palliative care said, "Over the long run, Calcium and Vit D are good for women.   But with your bones mets, taking Xgeva is really what matters. "   I felt like, "yeah, what 'long run', right?"

    Negative Nelly

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  • drlori
    drlori Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2017

    500 mg Twice a day and 5000 IU of Vitamin D (with food) Vitamin D is one of the fat soluble vitamins that can only be absorbed with some fat (food)

    Xgeva is also key

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