VitaLady's Pre-packaged vitamins for DS

[beth28]

2 weeks or so ago, I received the DS pre-packaged 1 months worth of her vitamins. As soon as I got them I started trying to take them....but some of these (for me) qualify as horse pills.

The first day I made it up to the bedtime dose, but was still so full from the preceding doses (and the mild to moderate nausea) I couldn't take the last dose. I thought I might be trying too early so I stopped for a week.

Any suggestions? I'll be 4 weeks out tomorrow, and I need to start taking them. I can post the list if someone needs to see it.

Do you take them all at one time(ie: morning dose is 5 (large)capsules of iron and 1 small pill).

Please help. I can eat good protein, but on the day I tried to take all those pills, I was so full from them that I couldn't each hardly anything!

[feeder3565]

Beth, for me looking back, I took things real slow the first 3-4 weeks out. The main thing for me was to set a routine and stick to it. Change of habit is hard. Doing something over and over and over at the same time everyday will help you in the long run. Your mind will get use to taken vits. at certain times and when you forget it kind of feels like your missing something, and then it's ya my vits.

If you have good insurance see if you can get on the Proferrin Forte. It is Heme Iron Polypeptide with folic acid. Small oval pill that you can also take with your calcium and is easy on your belly.

Don't push yourself to where you gag, or get sick to your gut.

Some now some later and soon you will be getting them all in. Good Luck. Just remember slow and steady wins the race.

[sherbearmama]

Beth, I'm right there with you! I got the DS 3 weeks ago and I started the vitamins last Monday night. I thought, I'll just start with the evening dose before bed and then work through the rest of the doses. Well, by morning my stomach was bloated and I had very soft poop and pooped 3 times that morning. It just didn't sit well with me. So, for now, I'm just taking a chewable mulit and a calcium supplement. I feel really bad that I'm not starting the regimen especially since I too bought Vitalady's prepackaged 60 day plan. But I've got to do what feels right right now. I think I'm going to spend the extra money and buy some of this stuff separately and see how i can work up to what I need. My doc doesn't want me on anything but a multi, calcium with D and B12 until the first set of labs. But I know we can become deficient so quickly that I'm feeling really guilty for not starting more. I'll be looking for the dry form of ADEK and then deal with the rest later since I"m taking the calcium chews already. I guess we'll see how I feel as the weeks go on. Then labs are due in about 8 weeks from now.

Good luck to you and wish me luck too!!!!

Sheri

[Seeking Healthy]

So early out you may not need to worry about getting in the normal "vitalady" recommendation. You should be focusing on getting in your fluids, protein and walking. You can build up on the vitamins as you go. Your pre surgery vitamin stores should be enough to sustain you during your time of recovery.

Good Luck to you.
SH

[Deleted]

You're still SUPER early out for taking all of that. My suggestion is to start with the multis. When you can take all the multis in one day (don't know how many that is in her package), start adding calcium.

You might also start sneaking in some D's and A's, as they are tiny pills. But work up to the full thing gradually. Don't rush it. You don't want to be puking or your throat "shutting down" due to irritation, which will delay your healing. Keep the focus on hydration and increasing your protein intake.

[Joanne]

What everyone else said. I also tried to take all my vitamins early on, and realized I couldnt stomach them (literally and figuratively). You can live off your vitamin storages for a little while, no sense making yourself sick. Take what you can and build up. As you heal it gets easier.

I was never a good pill swallower pre-DS. I was always a gagger and mega-sipper. But you get used to it. I can take them by the handfuls now without a problem.

[majormom]

Also.....when you start the iron, take only 1 capsule for the first few days, then add the 2nd and give it a few more days, then add the third, etc. Iron can cause the nausea.
Do cut the horse pills in half and dump the contents of the tasteless capsules into your shakes and yogurt. D3, calcium, K and A are pretty much tasteless.

--gina

[sherbearmama]

I appreciate the advice as well. I've been feeling so guilty for not being on my full regimen. Since the Vitalady's prepackaged vites are well, prepackaged, I think I'll go buy the bottles separately because I don't want to cut into the daily routine of the packages. It's set up for Morning Midday Dinner and Bedtime. If I break into the packages then I'll be missing some later on and have extras of others. But the advice on this topic is fantastic.

[beth28]

Thanks everyone! I've really been worried that I haven't been able to take them. I do pretty good on my water (aprox 40+ oz a day) and protein (aprox 60 oz a day), and I've been "spring cleaning" for exercise...no heavy lifting though.

I go back for my 4 week check-up today. I feel great....can't wait to see what I've "offically" lost!

[Joanne]

Beth,
I would try to get in more water. 64+ oz a day is usually what's recommended. It's so easy to become dehydrated when you're not eating much, you're rapidly losing weight, and you probably still have watery bowel movements.