This will only work if you have IBS with mostly diarrehea. DONT try this is you mostly have constipation.
I don't know if there has been any talk about this on this board or not... but I have to tell you all about the effects os calcium and IBS. I was a horrible IBS sufferer for SO long, been through so many tests, the doctors all said the same thing, eat more fiber. HAHA. that was a laugh.

so one day I ended up on a different IBS forum, and I read about all the people who were having success in controlling their IBS sypmtoms better with calcium carbonate. I decided to try it, and WOW, I HAVE MY LIFE BACK! now its not fool proof, and there are times when I still get my attacks, but its only once in a blue moon these days.

this is what works best! you may have to modify this to get good results for yourself.:

The best brand for this is caltrate. either the caltrate plus, or the caltrate 600. I take one pill 3 times a day, one with each meal.

you may have to start with 1/2 a pill 3 times aday, and that may work for you. OR you might have to keep adding untill you find the right dose!

DO NOT GO OVER 3 PILLS A DAY. calcium is good, but too much can be harmful. I asked my doc about this, and shae said 3 pills is okay, as long as I watch my calcium intake from other places as well.

If you need more help with this msg me back and I'll help. I just want to help others get their lives back.

Please take my advice and try this. Its not just me that have had sucess with it. from what I can see it has helped ALOT of IBS sufferes.

from what I understand, calcium carbonate has a binding effect, taking away the Diarreah.

LET ME KNOW HOW THINGS GO! I'm so excited that I might be able to help so many people!

[This message has been edited by babydoll20 (edited 12-15-2002).]

I think that a lot of people on this board already use Calcium supplements if they have dirrhea. It is recommended a lot especially by me and others.

If you have constant diarrhea your body may run short of calcium and also, calcium allows the bowels to absorb back more water naturally, thus bulking your stools up.

Thanks babydoll. Sarah's right - a lot of people on tnis board either recommend calcium or already take it. I'm so glad it's worked for you. It worked for me for a few weeks, but not long term. I've found my relief through a combination of calcium, Metamucil and Colestid.

But thanks for your advice. I know new readers will be eager to try it to see if it works for them.

I hope it continues to be successful for you.

Katie G

hi i was just wondering where you get these pills? at a GNC?

Hi. Calcium tablets can be purchased anywhere OTC that has a pharmacy. It's best to look for the Caltrate + D versions for best ratio of calcium and other minerals. I buy the rip-off Walmart or Target brand that comes in a purple & white bottle. You don't have to spend a lot of money; generic versions work just as well, as long as you get the combination of calcium + D.

Good luck,
Katie G

Does it have to be calcium carbonate? (not allowed to mix carbonates because of meds.) If I can find a different mix, could I actually use that?

Hi silverwillow. I'm not sure how other substances rather than calcium carbonate would work. I've read on other posts the calcium carbonate is the best for control of diarrhea.

Maybe you could post a new topic with your question and get responses to it?

Good luck,
Katie G

Thanks! I just might. Damn Lithium! Can't take a lot of stuff with that. You'd be amazed.

WOW!Yes,I have crohn's and IBS bad,diarrhea and severe pain that cripples me daily.6 days ago I took Calcium,maybe to much????1500mg with mag a day,and NOOOOOOOOOO bm's since????I hope things regulate soon.God bless calcium.To bad,I had to suffer for years before finding this simple vitamin.I hope it continues.Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Thankyou for your time reading.

Well, there you go. Somtimes natures way is still the best!!

I agree about the calcium. I had such bad diarrhea that I could not leave the house. The doctor tried all different meds that did not work. Finally I saw on this board the calcium info and it worked in 2 days. 3 pills a day even constipated me which was a miracle in my type of IBS. Now I am down to 2 a day and it works great.

Thanks soooooooooo much for the Caltrate info. I have had terrible diarrhea for the past month, but after taking Caltrate for just 1 day my symptoms have disappeared!!!! I also switched from Metimucil to Citrucel, & I think that it may be working better for me. Anyways, you guys are lifesavers, & I recommend giving the Caltrate 600 a shot if you haven't already. I even went for a jog today I've been feeling so good. Take care!!!

But if I had kidney stones made out of calcium, I guess this wouldn't help me as I'm thinking I should probably avoid extra calcium (but I do get the runs).

I am trying the metamucil cookie things...slowly only taking 1 the last 2 days and today 2. So far I've had no "D" and actually had one normal bowel movement (best in months I'd say) and actually feel a bit constipated (which is why I upped the dose a little). I am really hoping the metamucil stuff works for me. I've had IBS since I was very young, but never taken this fiber stuff. I don't eat a lot of junk (no fast food) but I do want to live normally...not on rice and soup the rest of my days!

A word about calcium. I had acid reflux for many years undiagnosed. I was eating tons of Tums tablets every day for many years. It ended up giving me hemroids because excessive calcium will slow your digestive system down and cause your stools to be hard and large. I did this for years not realizing what it was doing to me. I was constantly straining with my BM and through the years it caused hems. So word of caution: Don't overdo calcium.