calcium supplements

Posted By micki on September 25, 1998 at 12:19:37:







I recently saw an internist because I was
experiencing constipation.  I have been
taking calcium supplements ( I am female,
age 46). Since I started the supplements,
I have been very constipated.  
The internist wanted to do a colonoscopy,
but I said no, because I am hypoglycemic,
and it involved consuming nothing but
sugared clear fluids for what amounted
to about forty hours.  I didn't think that
was doable.  I would certainly pass out.
In addition they wanted me to drink
a large quantity of a substance that
I determined to be a poison.  I talked to
several nurses, one of whom had had
the test with that particular substance
to drink and all said it was brutal,
one even described it as barbaric.
That I could expect to leak fluid
uncontrollably, be nauseated,
and or vomit repeatedly. Also there
was the possibility of puncturing my
intestinal wall, and if I bled more than
a cup of blood to go to the ER.
This on top of being horribly sick
from the low blood sugar.  
All that for constipation!
I asked the Dr. if I could have an enema
instead, before the test, and they were
not sympathetic, so the test was
cancelled, and I am seeing a new doctor.
In the interim, I have stopped taking the
calcium, and I am fine.  
I should say that my other tests were
negative (stool sample, blood, urine).  
I need to know if there is a calcium
supplement that won't cause this problem
--I need the calcium, but the constipation
is a pain, and that nightmare of a test
is out of the question.--thank you.