Recently diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency
Posted , 81 users are following.
Hi I have recently been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency after years of pain and tiredness. I have quite a long history but have had surgery twice on my right foot. The first time was a straght forward bunion op and the second one I am now wondering if was caused by Vit D Deficiency as I was in so much pain after first op I needed the 2/3/4 metatarsals cuttings and replacing into different positions.
I also have Carpel Tunnel in right hand and been told I need surgery on it due to muscle waste, inflamed tendons and slight loss of sensation.
There isn't a part of my body that doesn't hurt and I am a 36 year old female. I am self employed and a mum (which can be very challenging with all the pain and tiredness at times!).
I have been prescribed pre d3 20,000 iu 3 times a week.
It turns out that I had a blood test in 2011 that showed I was low on vit d then so I have spent the past week battling between my GP and hospital to try get the levels and find out who did the original test and find out why nothing was done years ago for me. I am starting to feel fobbed off as no one is giving me a clear answer. The hospital won't give me the answers and told me they have to be faxed to GP which I asked for and after waiting days for this and chasing up twice the GP rang today to tell me they have recent blood test result which showed vit D below 30 if that makes sense to anyone?
They weren't sent the 2011 results so have had to chase up again!
I am concerned after having pain for years that this may have done damage. How long does it take to see a difference on that doseage?
My main pains are in lower right back, back right rib, hips, feet, hands, neck.
It would be great to hear from anyone else with vitamin D defiancy.
4 likes, 255 replies
tonya21208 k11990
Posted
Any advice for someone newly diagnosed as D deficient? I just learned that my level is only 4 after seeking help for symptoms that include severe exhaustion, brain fog, and shortness of breath. I'm also experiencing body aches and soreness, especially in my feet. The doctor prescribed a course of high dose D for three months, followed by a reduced dose and, ultimately, a maintenance dose. However, she made it seem like D deficiency is only a minor issue and suggested my symptoms are the result of working too much and dehydration rather than the deficiency. Any tips as I start the recovery process would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
LNDRN tonya21208
Posted
I just recently found my Vitamin D level is 9. LIke you, I have crushing fatigue, muscle cramps, pain, in my arms and legs, and numbness/ tingling , pain in my arms and hands.
I'm on 50,000iu Vitamin D once a week for 8 weeks along with 8000 D3 daily.
I'm hoping to find relief soon, but after reading a few posts it seems it takes a while
Hope you find relief soon too!
tonya21208 k11990
Posted
Any advice for someone newly diagnosed as D deficient? I just learned that my level is only 4 after seeking help for symptoms that include severe exhaustion, brain fog, and shortness of breath. I'm also experiencing body aches and soreness, especially in my feet. The doctor prescribed a course of high dose D for three months, followed by a reduced dose and, ultimately, a maintenance dose. However, she made it seem like D deficiency is only a minor issue and suggested my symptoms are the result of working too much and dehydration rather than the deficiency. Any tips as I start the recovery process would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Jaybelle tonya21208
Posted
Unfortunately, this is the attitude you will meet from doctors. If they haven't experienced the pain and exhaustion of vitamin D deficiency osteomalacia for themselves, they really don't get it. You CAN get batter, but with such a low level don't expect it to happen in 12 weeks. The best thing you can do for yourself is acknowledge that you're not well and in it for a long haul that is likley to have more than one setback before full recovery. Most of us have found it helpful to take a magnesium supplement and vitamin K to help our bones remineralise. Calcium is best absorbed from dietary sources, though: leafy green veg and low fat dairy for example.
I would warn against trying to hold down a full time job or pushing yourself too far too fast - really listen to what your body is telling you and respect the need for rest, good diet, sleep and appropriate low impact exercise when you can.
The pain of osteomalacia can be excruciating: from relentless, dull, all-over aches in bones and muscles to extreme tenderness in the joints, shooting pains down the long bones and feet. Don't be fobbed off that this is dehydration. Nobody ever sobbed in the street because dehydration made their feet too painful to walk on!
Wishing you all the best,
:-)
tonya21208 Jaybelle
Posted
tata92410 Jaybelle
Posted
LNDRN k11990
Posted
Hi everyone! I was so excited to come across this forum! I didn't realize how many people "get" me!
I've been feeling fatigued for several months but a couple of weeks ago, I all of a sudden felt crushing fatigue and my arms and legs cramped up and contracted for like 10 minutes! My body felt heavy, and until now my arms are numb and tingly.My left arm has a constant shooting pain, along with numbness, tingling, muscle spasms. My fine motor skills feel like they're in slow motion as it takes effort for my left hand to grip. My right hand is my writing hand which cramps up.
I went to the urgent care and after lab work was done, I found that I'm severely deficient in Vitamin D. My level is 9!
So I'm on 50,000 iu of Vitamin D once a week, and I'm also taking a total of 8000 D3 daily. This is my first full week of treatment and not sure I feel a difference yet
I'm an L&D nurse and I need my energy and my arms and hands to work like normal again!
As with everyone here, our condition is pretty debilitating and who would've thought from Vitamin D deficient!
I hope I/we get relief soon!
Jaybelle LNDRN
Posted
Poor you! All you can do is keep taking the supplement - and you can take it for longer than 8 weeks if needed (It took 7 and a half months of 10k then 35k IU/wk to get my blood 25ohD levels into the high sufficient range), and respect your body's needs in the meantime.
Personally, I'm disappointed to have slipped back into deficiency and all the pain and exhaustion of osteomalacia following a year of maintenance dose that clearly wasn't enough - but I'm trying to use it as a lesson in looking after myself and my needs - not the needs of my employer, family and all those other calls on my time and efforts!
My advice would be to fight to take off the time you need and be very disciplined about looking after your own energy levels and strength - a drowning person has to save themselves first! Recruit family and friends to help out where possible and take your recovery time seriously.
Wishing you all the best,
:-)
riham16435 LNDRN
Posted
claire-lou04456 k11990
Posted
Hi
I have been taking supplements since the end of January for my Vit D deficiency. 3 months in and I feel little difference. That said I can go for a week without any or little pain: can anyone please advise? I was told
To take an over the counter tablet as my levels weren't low enough for the perscribed ones.
EileenH claire-lou04456
Posted
Of course - it may not be the low vit D that is causing your problems. Low vit D is commonly found in autoimmune disorders - so could be the effect of the real problem, not the cause.
claire-lou04456 EileenH
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My doctor didn't tell me the levels. I'm taking 1000IU a day vitamin D3. I have musie pain. Thanks for the advice.
claire-lou04456
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EileenH claire-lou04456
Posted
I assume your doctor is going to check the level at some point?
claire-lou04456 EileenH
Posted