Hi. I take Adcal twice a day (chewable) - is it really enough Calcium and Vitamin D to take daily? How is it absorbed when it dissolves so quickly? Does anyone take additional supplements? Eg. Glucosamine? I can’t start Infusions for a few weeks as i need dental extraction first and root canal treatment to another tooth. Dentist is doing as precaution. No problems now but could be in future. I’m having extraction as no guarantee any root canal treatment/cap to this tooth will fix underlying problems longterm - cost will be about £1000 per tooth!!! Disgusting eh? But i can’t afford and can’t afford risks of problems developing mid infusion treatment. Never ends eh?
1 Like
I take Adcal. 2 twice a day but not chewable and have had no problems. Have taken them for 18 months now
Thank you fir taking time to reply. What is strength of your Adcal (Calcium and Vitamin D)? It just seems weird to me a chewable tablet that dissolves in seconds can get into your system I’ve wondered if over counter better Eg separate Calcium tabs and Vit D tabs.
Another question I’m throwing out there… how do you know Letrazole (I take the Accord brand) is blocking Oestrogen. ??
Hi, i take adcal , the big chalky ones, once daily. I have monthly bloods as im also on abemaciclib as well as bisphosphonate. The blood tests show that my calcium levels are always at the higher end of normal, so they do seem to be doing what they are supposed to be doing… hope you are doing ok and all the best for your treatment, take care julie xx
Thanks for responding. Pleased for you Does anyone check you chlorestrol levels OR Oestrogen levels (to make sure the hormone blocker doing what it should?? Oncologist only said about infusions and blood test before each one for liver function. I asked about Chlorestrol abd she didn’t seem bothered. Said can ask GP In hindsight it would be better if i asked her to write in the letter she will send GP, of my last visit with Oncologist, they monitor my chlorestrol, BP, etc. I always feel up to me these days to ask/fight for everything. If you don’t ask, you don’t always get. But fed up being told speak to Breast Care Nurses. Theres only so much they can do as Dr’s have the power. Moan over!!
I was on AdCal twice a day for cycle 1&2&3. Just finished cycle 3 week 3 of Ribociclib, Fulvestrant, Denusomab and my calcium is low. Extra blood tests and increase AdCal to 4 chewables per day and re-do bloods 2 and 4 days later before starting next cycle……
Hope it picks up, had issues with phosphate too, but extra prescribed supplements bought it back to normal in about a wer.
Hi glad you’re being well monitored. Thats where i feel in limbo. Who is monitoring all my levels? Clearly there are side effects to be mindful of (eg Letrazole can cause high chlorestrol, high BP, liver probs. I feel Oncologist signed me off now and I’ve no idea about who monitoring. Who monitoring ny calcium levels, and if the Letrazole is blocking the Oestrogen like its hoped. Not everyone the same. Unless a GP is told they don’t seem to have a scoobie doo! I am worried. Thanks for listening to my waffling xx
hello, just wondering why some people take 1 adcal tablet daily and some take 2, even though there is an am and pm tablet. I was told one a day as well, but when you see the amount of calcium it gives you, it not even the daily recommended dose.
Any ideas?
Hi. I resonate with your post. I’m on chewable AdCal too. I think you are the same from your description. I was on 2 but … when I have blood tests (pre 6 monthly Zoldronic Acid infusions) I always ask for a copy of the blood test results to check levels, including my calcium level. I noticed mine were on the higher side (and actually getting a little higher each time). I spoke initially to breast care nurses and told yes, levels were a little high but okay. However I didn’t feel reassured as what I have read (includingNHS) basically says …calcium can lead to kidney problems, osteoporosis (brittle bones), and cardiovascular issues like high blood pressure or abnormal heart rhythms… etc. So I asked to speak to Oncology Dr. Offered telephone call but I was firm I wanted face to face. She said my levels considered ok BUT then as I was leaving her office she asked me… ‘how many AdCal are u taking?’ I said 2 a day. She said reduce to 1. I was bit taken back as I’d just been told levels okay. Anyhow… two more blood tests on since then have shown me to be in normal range now. As a starting point can you ask for a copy of blood test results you’ve had - if you have 6 monthly pre infusion tests like me, if not maybe ask for blood test via GP or BC nurses to check your Calcium levels. Some lucky ladies may have good post BC support where calcium levels are monitored whether having infusions or just on Calcium/Vit D. I’ve read chewable AdCal are a teensy bit better than soluble (don’t know for sure) so I’ll stick with chewable. It’s a minefield I know. But if you don’t ask you don’t get… including answers.
How bizarre I’ve seen this thread today, my son was asking about this earlier and I was looking at the contents.
Anyhow, I take one tablet. It is lower than the recommended daily amount, but I see it as a supplement, as I get calcium from other sources in my diet. I had no previous issues with my bone health, but onco recommended Zoledronic infusions and that a calcium boost would be needed.
On the other hand, it’s worth noting too much calcium can cause other issues i.e to the heart and kidneys.
1 Like
Thank you so much for your full explanation it is very helpful for me. I am guessing my bone health was okay so maybe that’s why they only put me on one a day, however I must admit I have never been advised of my calcium levels on any of my blood tests, now I will definitely be aware of this and ask next time. It is a minefield isn’t it. I know others have said they buy their own calcium vitamin D as they do not rate Adcal, but finding the right ones seems very hard as well. Others have said they take K2 as well.
It’s so hard trying to make sure one is doing the right things isn’t it.
Thank you again I really appreciate your answer.
Lesley
Hi Lesley. It’s a minefield isn’t it? Have you had a Dexa Scan? I’m guessing you likely have if AdCal being prescribed. Have you got a copy if Dexa scan? If not you can ask for a copy. Although, if I’m honest it is heavy reading (as are the photos) but you should be able to ask it is put in simple terms for you to fully understand from GP or breast care nurses. Good old Google can help. But if I think back I’m not sure now who decided and prescribed the AdCal and why 2 a day. It must have been the Oncology Dr. It’s such a vulnerable time that you go with the flow and follow what your told. I have Zoldronic Acid infusions every 6 months (1 to go). I understand that is to help prevent bone issues, including osteoporosis. I’m NHS route I wonder how different it would be if private. I feel very alone sometimes.
Your post has me thinking. I know I have read shouldn’t mix and add different supplements, like Vit K I guess, without checking - but who do you check with? I like a medical opinion, but who is most knowledgeable you can actually access?
Also…. When if having and finishing Infusions, like me, who keeps an eye on your Calcium levels when taking AdCal? That is basically where you are now with your original question Lesley. Simple questions in theory but difficult to get answered professionally.
Guess I may soon put up a post myself. Always questions but nit always clear or easy getting answers is it?
Hi Bluebell,
Thank you for your response. Yes I have had a Dexa scan and I was just told it was okay!!! But not getting another one for 2 years. I think it very much depends on the area you live in regarding the treatment you get. It was the oncology Dr who prescribed the Adcal, to be honest I didn’t question why only one a day I think I just went along with what every one told me to do, it’s only now I thought about the 1 tablet versus 2 tablets on the pack. I know a few people have mentioned that they do not rate Adcal and changed their calcium and vitamin tablets, so I went out and brought some but not sure if that is the correct thing to do now. I was offered the zoledronic acid but was told it might only make a 0.7% difference so didn’t have it as the side effects sounded not very pleasant with all the other ones with letrozole and radiotherapy and the like. I am nhs as well, my friend went private but in Finland and her treatment was amazing, she didn’t have bc but had a rare type and had immunotherapy and she is doing so well now. It is a very lonely time and the worst thing is trying not to let your mind take over and and just thinking of all the negativity. I will definitely be looking at my calcium levels in future. Are you still on letrozole or another Ai?
Hi Lesley. So much you said sounds just like me. I toi think different areas, different treatment and likely different approaches. Same if paying. I have met someone who is private and sounded so different. She had very new type of treatment/ medication on top of regular treatment. Agree you tend to do as your told and simple questions, like who is monitoring your calcium and vitamin D levels, come later. I read so many times ‘your calcium levels will be monitored’. Mine aren’t. Yours aren’t. It’s only because I have blood tests 2 weeks before infusion and ask BC nurses for a blood test copy I know and I myself ‘monitor’. I remember when I saw Oncology Dr (and questioned my calcium levels and taking 2 Adcal) she said infusions give small percentage towards bone protection, which I was surprised to hear, but thats what you were told too. I had a bad side effect after No. 2 infusion. Felt fluey and my hands and arms felt like they were draped in electricity 24/7 for a few weeks. I nearly didn’t have next infusion.
I’m not at all knowledgeable about alternatives to AdCal or Vitamin K. heard things about Magnesium being good to take. Its what you don’t know rather than what you do know. AdCal seems to have generally positive comments on medical sites though. I don’t think I’d like to change without talking to a professional. And again raises about who checking to see if your calcium/vitamin D levels are okay? Wonder if privately treated patients are advised to take something different to AdCal?
I am on Letrazole (Accord). Oncology Dr knew I had aches, but I choose to stay on Letrazole as Dr said would be a bit better choice for me than alternative AI I prefer taking Letrazole at night. Like many I’ve had, and still get, awful aches in finger joints and wrists, but touch wood been okay recently. I bought a set of hand/finger strengtheners of Amazon and I’m sure that helps.
I’m coming up for 3yrs and due mammogram early April. Your spot on when you say it is a ‘very lonely time and the worst thing is trying not to let your mind take over and and just thinking of all the negativity’. It’s always there. I’m so grateful for the treatment etc, but from a personal level I wish there was a bit more accessible face to face support further down the line. Take care Lesley.
Hi Bluebell,
Oh gosh you were really brave going for the next treatment after such a bad reaction, that must of been awful, I am hoping it was better the next time. I agree my calcium levels have never even been mentioned and I thought I was due a delta scan after a year but apparently not, he said they would do one next year, the trouble is there is such a conveyer belt of patients it’s hard to get the support you need isn’t it.
I actually phoned the Oncologists secretary and asked if I could swap to exemestane as I heard not so many aches and pains with this but I will wait and see??? But they just sent me a prescription in the post which I should receive I. A couple of days, I am not sure if I am supposed to swap or wait a while to start the new lot, but as mine is 100% eostrogen based I think he said last time unfortunately I could not take time out of the tablets like some others had, as theirs was a different type. All very confusing you have to kind of suck it and see yourself done you. Do you know why some people have to take for 5 years and some 10 years? And do you know which one you are? Most of the time I have hundreds of questions and no answers lol. I will be better prepared the next time I speak to the oncologist.
You take care Too!