Vitamin D Amazing
 

I have been on 90mg of Cymbalta and 150mg of Lyrica for about 9 months, and still experiencing pain each day with severe pain and flare ups a few times per week.

I recently had my vitamin D level measured. It was 40ng/ml. I started taking a 5000iu of vitamin D per day. I increased the dose by 1000 each day until reaching 15,000.

Within 10 days my pain had diminished by an astonishing amount, more than 50%. I still get an occasional flare up, maybe once every two weeks or so, but it is far less intense and goes away quickly, whereas in the past it would last all day, and not go away until I had slept.

Previously i was unable to stand on court and teach tennis for more than an hour without pain. i can now stand on court and teach for 6 hours!

Now my legs get tired before my feet start hurting. In fact my feet hardly ever start hurting from standing. The only thing that occasionally sets them off now is stress.

It is absolutely amazing. The vitamin D has had as much impact as the drugs, possibly even more, and the improvement seems to be ongoing.

I have been taking it for 5 weeks now, and will continue at this level for a while to see what happens before trying a higher dose, or maybe a reduction in the drugs.



3 years Idiopathic PN
small fibre sensory
muscle cramps

Thank you for your update. I am so glad for you that you are
feeling better.

This is why I post so much about B12 and Vit D levels.

Perhaps your PN was viral in part? Vit D improves immune functions and lessens viral infections. It has shown good results in Japan for preventing the flu.

I have never had vit D checked...something to think about.

Any specific forms of Vit D or namebrands that are best? Should you take it if you have not tested for it?

You will want Vit D3 OTC, and without a test, the upper recommendation is 2,000 IU daily.

It is not typically expensive. I get mine from Puritan's Pride.
But many other places have their own. I prefer the gelcaps,
as the tablets are rather large with lots of fillers and junk.

Yes, it is very iimportant for pain and immune system as well as many other things. My doctor has me on the drops.

I have been reading posts from another forum that VitD3 is good for the lungs too. But, of course, patients with lung problems should take a higher dose of VitD3.

Also, when you are taking calcium supplement, it is recommended to take VitD3 and K.

If you take high dose Vit D....it is suggested now to cut way back
on your calcium intake. Some doctors say no more than 600mg.
Some are saying NONE... This is because Vit D enhances calcium uptake in the intestine considerably. Normally average absorption is 20% from supplements.

Mrs.D, is this even when you are menopausal and diagnosed with osteopenia?
I am taking a 630mg from supplements and I drink milk, eat yogurt and kefir daily. And of course from other food.

That is scary, another reason I will always take bio iden. hormones. Do you get your bones checked often? Foods with K2 are important also.

Not sure if th is question is for me -- my primary care physician is giving me a bone density test every 2 years. I get my VitK from the multivitamin.

The caution is for supplements. The calcium in food will be greatly enhanced absorption with HIGH dose Vit D3.

thank you so much Mrs.D!!! And thank you for the correction.... I hope Glenn will not be mad at me.:D

He's cool.... he'll laugh... watch for his response. ;)

I am sure he will definitely response to my harmless faux fax. ;)

Thank you Mrs.D.

What faux pas?
 

:D

Between this and the uncertainty as to my gender this morning in the other thread, I'm LOL-ing. Which is a good thing, as I still haven't been able to fill up my vehicle post Sandy.

This is fascinating. It makes me realize how little I know regarding the interaction between different vitamins and minerals.

I take 2000 IU of D3 twice a day. If you supplement adequate amounts of magnesium, then will this limit the calcium regardless of D3 dosage?

Also, in the summer we can absorb several times these levels of D3 from sun exposure. Do you think it is better to not take D3 on days you're outside more?

I was told by my doctor that continuous exposure to sun at least 15 mins everyday wont require supplementation of VitD3. However, dark-skinned will require longer than 15 mins. During winter when people tends to stay indoors, it is recommended to take the supplement. But in my case, I take Vitd3 all year round.

I don't take my D3 in summer. Only for 3/4 of the year.
I take much more than 2,000 IU.
The 2,000IU is really not that high these days. When the doctors are discussing D I think they are referring to 4,000 IU a day and up. The average person needs 1,000 IU D3 to raise 10pts on the serum testing. Heavier people with more body fat may need more. It is really best to have a baseline test to see where you are, and adjust accordingly.

The worry is that fixing Vit D levels (raising them) will change the ratio of calcium absorption. Traditionally only 20-25% of a dose of calcium in a supplement is absorbed. Increase D and you change that %. It is thought that excess calcium may hang around and deposit in arteries (atherosclerosis). But that is not proven yet...just suspected. Some doctors tell their patients to take really high calcium today. And this is what is being discussed by cardiologists. The current suggestion is no more than 600mg a day for those on high dose D therapies. Not all doctors know this however.
http://blog.trackyourplaque.com/2010...vitamin-d.html

This link may not take you to the blog...I had some difficulty with that site. To find this doctor's opinion, look on the left hand column, choose Vit D in the list and find 6-2010 to see the recommendation. The title of the blog entry is
Increased blood calcium and Vit D.

Thanks MrsD. I know magnesium plays a crucial role in the regulation of calcium. Supplementing 400 mg of magnesium a day should limit excess calcium due to D3 supplements, diet, etc. Would you agree? I know the combination of several vitamins and minerals introduces a lot of possible scenarios depending on the dosage of each type.

I had virtually no vit d found in blood testing. Started with prescription vitd (50,000) but eventually starting using a daily dose of D3 from walmart. Eventually my number went up to about 50 over the course of a year. Went tested again last Dec, numbers were down so Dr. recommended 15,000 through the winter months here in Northern Va. Also, I am outside quite a bit during the summer, training/riding/teaching horseback riding and was also our summer swim team rep (always out in the sun). It has not made one bit of difference how much time in the sun I spent, my numbers would not come up until loading up on orals-

J.

It is really hard to say.

The ratio is not cast in stone. Magnesium is more likely lost thru the urine than calcium. Diuretics, alcohol, caffeine etc.

Magnesium actually has a very close link with potassium as well.

I don't think taking 400mg of magnesium (I assume elemental, and not oxide?) a day is going to upset much.
In our past as hunter gatherers, we consumed alot of nuts and they are high in magnesium. And much less calcium... not much milk in those days.

I would expect the ratio to be much more important for situations where severe changes or severe differences in consumption were likely.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3732091

And this you will find to be very interesting... explains in good easy terms the inter-relationships:
http://www.jigsawhealth.com/resource...m_medium=email

Just want to add on VitD3 -- this is a highly recommended supplement among patients with lung problems (consistent to what Mrs. D's advice). Personally, I take 4000mg from the supplements. Others take as much as 10000mg and higher everyday.