Just had a call from my doctors re: first appointment with Rheumy

Thanks Mrs. O, yes my gp is working along with me.  Got my blood results today from bloods done last week.  ESR 19  CRP 12.3 and Vit D 63, so I have gone down a wee bit in my Vit D, but not to worry.  Just got my teeth implants started last night at dentist so I am sure my ESR is through the roof, but I doubled my pred for this.  So far so good.   Thanks again   Pat

Pat, a lot to be happy about with those results.  The ESR is excellent; the CRP is a bit high but it will come down as the inflammation lessens; and the Vit D is only a little low (normal being between 75 and 150-200 depending on which primary care trust you are under).  So keep an eye on the Vit D - if it gets any lower then you would be wise to take a Vit D3 supplement (Colecalciferol) to increase it to a recommended level - the usual Calcium plus Vit D pill won't do that and is really only helpful as a maintenance treatment once the Vit D is back up within normal range.

Brave you with the implant work but worth going through I'm sure when finally see the finished result.  Good luck with that. 

I know, I am over the moon so maybe it's just as well I haven't seen a Rheumy yet.  CRP will come down eventually and Vit D will go up.  I am going to get what you suggested.  Even in summer I don't be out that much, if I am, it's straight from the front door and into my wee mini convertable sometimes with the hood down, if it's really warm, but I don't think I would get much Vit D that way.

Well the implant work has went well, last night was the biggy.  You would think I had been in a boxing ring, two sides of my chin are black and blue.  Implants are more for function than looks, but I am sure or hope they will look good too.  I really have a lot of bone shrinkage in the lower jaw long before PMR or pred.  Thanks again you are a wee gem as we say here in Belfast.    Pat

Hi Mrs. O, was just looking up Colecalciferol, do I get a certain strength of this vit D supplement.   Thanks in advance.     Pat

Pat, many patients with PMR get their Vit D3 on prescription, so perhaps you can ask your GP if s/he will prescribe it for you.  In the case of deficiency, a short course of high dose Vit D3 for around 3 months is usually recommended, with the GP arranging a repeat Vit D blood test at the end of the course.  I take a 3-month course each winter of Lamberts Vit D3 1,000iu daily which usually increases my Vit D to approaching 90. Some patients are prescribed a much higher dose but I have been advised to stick to just 1,000iu as I have a kidney problem so have to avoid too much extra calcium being absorbed from the increased Vit D.  I then try and get out in the sun during the summer months around the middle of the day for around 20 minutes without sunscreen, and with bare arms at least, to maintain the level.  However, if I didn't take the winter supplement my levels would quickly drop back down - my original level when very first tested was only 39.  

Hi Mrs O, well 39 is very very low.  I know it should be 75 or over but as I was saying to Eileen that my chewable adcal had finished and I had forgot to take the two caplets for a few days.  I am at present taking Adcal-D3 750 mg/200 I.U. which were prescribed by my dr.  Do you think that is enough, well until we get some sunshine here in summer in Belfast.  Because my skin is so thin and has been for over 10years, I tend not to go in the sun and if I do, I use a very high factor.  Thanks in advance.    Pat

I would get some 1000 IU tablets from the chemist and add at least one a day over the winter. The local expert here in Italy says at least 2000 IU/day during the winter.

Pat, as you say, my level of 39 was quite low, but one lady in my PMRGCA support group when tested was found to be just 13!  

No the Adcal-D3 will not be enough to increase your levels on its own if anyone is deficient.  As Eileen has suggested, you could just take a 1,000iu pill daily for a few months and then ask for a re-test to see how successful it has been.  This dose added to the small amount of Vit D in the Adcal pill you are already taking should boost your levels well into the normal range.

For your thin skin, if you don't already use it, ask for some Doublebase Cream either on prescription or over-the-counter.  It was first recommended to me by a podiatrist for the seed corns and very thin skin on the soles of my feet.  I thought I'd try it on my steroid thinned skin all over - it worked a treat and I still use it.

Thanks for getting back to me Mrs. O, right I will be ordering some Vit D and supplementing the Adcal-D3 and see how I go.  Also I did get Doublebase Gel which I got from my dr but I only use it after a shower and just on my arms and legs.  My skin is like paper and it was noticed by a Professor in Endocrinology about 10 or 11 years ago.  I would never know half as much only for yourself and others on this website.  Thank you again.   Pat

Francesca (my daughter) had a vit D level of 12 last year. The GP gave her adcal. It's taken months to get her to take more - mum knows nothing...

Hi Eileen, I know what you mean.  I have two sons and I have given them more advice about vits in general, and guess what, someone outside of me have told them on different occasions about omega 3 ect., but sure what would I know, I am only their mum.  

Typical, Eileen, but you got there in the end!

Hi Angelcake, thank you for the good wishes they never go a miss.  I am like that in real life, if I am at a class or somewhere new and I see another new person, I always speak to them and make then feel welcome because some people are more nervous than others and it's nice when you can put people at ease.  Thank you again and here are some (((hugs))) back to you.    Pat