Hi Mrs.D,

I did just get my vit. D levels checked among many other things and they are low(17). The doc wants me to take 5000mgs. of Vit. D a day and said it will take a long time to get the levels up. I am also low in ferritin (9) I do have RLS and have been low with my ferritin since they first checked it back in '99. I was taking iron supplements for many years but was only aqble to ge the ferritin levels up to 20. Of course they say that is the beginning of "normal" but I know for RLs the desired level is 50. I have been off iron for a few years. So, back on it I guess. I need to get to the health food store to get a good brand of ferrous gluconate. But, he only wants me to take one a day as my hemoglobin etc. are normal. I was taking mirapex for the RLS for years but have been able to get off of it by taking magnesium supplements.
I also do have vit. B12 sublingual supplements to take as I also have trigeminal neuropathy that I got after a herpes outbreak on my mouth a few years back. I had a different doc then and she was more into natural methods and using supplements. so, I do go by what she said for the B12. But, i'm not sure if I have ever been tested for it. I was tested for my cortisol levels and adrenal function with this other doc a few years back and that was also found to be quite low. I was put on oral hydrocortisone for abut 6 months but she didn't want me on it for any longer than that. I feel it did help but, I have such "adrenal fatigue" that isn't being addressed by my currant doc who is very traditional. I am in the process of moving though so will be looking for a new doc and will hopefully find one that understands all of this. Not easy to find. I have a very bad case of FMS, and in the past few years have been taking narcotics for the pain which in my case really does help. I went for years with nothing more than ibuprofen or tylenol and would literally be writhing in pain. It was FMS stuff and arthritis as well as peripheral neuropathy with the burning and stabbing pains in my extremities. It was horrible. The fatigue is also very extreme and has been since the diagnosis although I have had a couple of semi-remission states where I was more functional. Stress is the worst culprit for my flaring and it doesn't matter if it is good stress or bad stress. I usually spend about 5 hours average in bed during the day but sometimes much more.

I will look at the vit. forum and will look at your links as well. thanks for the help!

Sara