Tums--are they okay to use?

Pebbledash · Post by **Pebbledash** » Sun Aug 18, 2013 8:41 am

Hi all,

I realize that Tums are hardly a defense against MC, but I also "sense" that they might help a little with related issues such as calming tummy gurgling--and calcium, the main ingredient, in itself, tends to have a bulking effect which might be useful.

However, does any one know if there are contraindications for taking Tums--any thoughts on the pros or cons I should be aware of?

Thanks!

Post by **tex** » Sun Aug 18, 2013 11:01 am

I'm not aware of any issues that would suggest that the use of tums is contraindicated for someone who has an IBD, including MC. Tums are a good source of calcium. Some members have used Caltrate 600 +D, since adequate availability of vitamin D is necessary in order for the body to utilize calcium properly.

You're very welcome,
Tex

WhirledPeas · Post by **WhirledPeas** » Sun Jun 18, 2017 4:23 pm

I am having wicked gastritis and burning throat on and off for the last week including last night and this afternoon and now. I'm on Budesonide 9 mg. I left a message with the answering service at my doctors office but he hasn't called back so I called my pharmacy. She said it would be OK to take Tums as long as it wasn't close to the time to take the medication which I take at 9 AM. I'm hoping that it helps and doesn't constipate me. It's such an awful feeling. I thought Tums would work faster than taking an H2 blocker over the counter like Rantidine.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sun Jun 18, 2017 4:26 pm

The only slight issue with extensive use of Tums is that the calcium content will deplete magnesium. If you can increase the use of topical magnesium to counter act this, you should be ok.

also rubbing the topical magnesium on your upper stomach will also help with the symptoms.

WhirledPeas · Post by **WhirledPeas** » Sun Jun 18, 2017 5:07 pm

Thanks Gabes.
In the past when I was stable I tried not to take Tum's because it would constipate me. In another post a few hours ago I described what I've been eating to keep my BMs formed. I tried a fourth of a cup of very steamed peeled yellow squash and within 45 minutes at urgency and IBS broken up BM. I'm on day 11 of Budesonide.
I sure hope my body starts accepting a soft veggie and perhaps boiled potato in a week or so. How long can I eat turkey and salty rice crackers? Just eating those two things I don't have any pain or abnormal BMs except for some mucus the last week. I'm hoping that someone that's been on this medication can give me an idea. I'm assuming it's better to have formed BMs than to eat a veggie or starch. From my perspective it seems a lot easier to deal with but I'm so damn sick of this diet. A friend is roasting me an organic chicken and making bone broth from the bones so I may try mid week when she brings it over.

So very very frustrated. Going from one issue to another. Eating to Tum's ( fruit flavored) has made the burning go from severe to tolerably painful.

Ommmm

Wen

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sun Jun 18, 2017 5:15 pm

you say above you are having steamed berries??

steamed berries would be high fibre and high in sugar and high in histamine/lectins etc, and not the most ideal thing to be having at the moment.

re your question 'how long can you eat turkey and rice crackers'
generally with bland low inflammation eating plan and budenside, you will know within a month or so if that is the medication option for you.

WhirledPeas · Post by **WhirledPeas** » Sun Jun 18, 2017 5:29 pm

I was voice texting and the word berries should've been "Very". The doctor on call just called me and he suggested I take Rantidine 150 mg (Zantac) before breakfast and dinner but two hours after Budesonide. He recommended not to do the cool mint version which is the one that I have from earlier this year. If I take the medicine at 9 AM I may wait to eat until 11:15 AM and then take the second pill of Zantac around 7pm. I don't like eating when I first wake up anyway and I'm so tired in the morning that I like to rest after I take the medicine at 9am.

LauraAnn · Post by **LauraAnn** » Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:14 pm

I chew 1 tums (Fruity) almost every night to calm the reflux I have and it works like a charm with no after effects. Have been doing this for several months and it allows me to fall fast asleep.

I also have been using a scoop of cholestyramine after dinner and it does not seem to interfere. Diet is mostly stage 1 with a little spice thrown in. But everything I eat is boiled or baked.

WhirledPeas · Post by **WhirledPeas** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 9:23 am

Thank you for your reply. The Tums I took last night did not help significantly. I am hoping the Zantac 150 mg twice a day helps so that I can focus on healing my MC and be more peaceful. I felt like someone had poured acid down my throat into my stomach. I woke up feeling better. I took a Zantac after the doctor called me in the evening and a little while ago so now I'm going to eat something and cross my fingers. Also pulled out my wedge pillow that I haven't used since 2002 when I had horrible GERD. Also did a guided meditation before bed and when I woke up.

Wen

LauraAnn · Post by **LauraAnn** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 9:52 am

Another trick I have learned from this site is to sleep on your left side. It works for me. When I have shifted during the night to the right side I will wake up with acid, then when I switch back to the left I go right back to sleep.

WhirledPeas · Post by **WhirledPeas** » Mon Jun 19, 2017 9:58 am

I sleep on my back but when I am awake and laying in bed sometimes I lay on my left side because I found out long ago it doesn't make my tummy feel good to lay on the right side. Thanks!

Take care, Wen