dexa scan coming up

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mamadog53
mamadog53 Member Posts: 61
edited May 2015 in Bone Health and Bone Loss

I have a a Dexa scan coming up next week and have a question. I know about no calcium supplement prior to the scan but what about antacids? I've been having terrible heartburn for the past couple of months and I've practically been living on Tums. The thought of having heartburn for two days is freaking me out

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  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited May 2015

    Tums should be used only occasionally since if you use them on a regular basis your stomach will overcompensate for the acid and you will still end up with heartburn. Tums and calcium are pretty much the same so you should hold off of it. Try taking Zantac or Prevacid instead. If you have heartburn while taking calcium carbonate try switching to calcium citrate (bradname is Citrical but generics are out there too) it will not affect the normal stomach acid.

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  • Kathy044
    Kathy044 Member Posts: 433
    edited May 2015

    Mamadog I take Tums regularly as a calcium supplement and had to stop for the two days before the DEXA scan, otherwise they cannot get an accurate reading.

    There are alternatives that you can use other than calcium carbonate for heartburn such as Milk of magnesia or baking soda but I suggest talking talking to a pharmacist for short term solution or for longer term solutions too (check the Tums label about consulting a health practitioner if symptoms persist for more than two weeks.) Years ago when I had daily reflux my doctor suggested I try Pepcid ac which is an acid reducer and that worked well for me.

    I hope you get through this ok and get good results.

    Kathy

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