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Recently diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency

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k11990
k11990

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

255 Replies

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  • ptolemy
    ptolemy k11990

    Posted

    It takes about three months or so to get your vit D up. I measured 26 last year and sat in the sun each day, if there was sun, as well as taking supplements. I went up to 52 after around three months, my health authority suggest 50 as the bottom of the normal range although some suugest 75 as a minimum. I was checked again a month or so ago and I was 64, in spite of not sitting out in the sun over the winter. Supplements do work, I did try to add food with vit D into my diet, although most vit D comes from the sun only about twenty oer cent from diet, but I felt it all helps.
    • k11990
      k11990 ptolemy

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. That is good to know the tablets work well. I do make an effort to get in the sun everyday (although we are a little restricted in the UK some days!!) as I have a dog so try do as much walking as possible each day. 

      Hope you're feeling better now.

    • EileenH
      EileenH k11990

      Posted

      Only works in the summer and at lunchtime - sun has to be fairly high in the sky for it to work. You only need about 10 mins though.
    • burpiecicerchi
      burpiecicerchi ptolemy

      Posted

      Omg mine was 14 and i was so exhausted at work it was aweful today. I guess i need to take this more seriously. Because i wasnt taking my meds the way i should. I get bad leg cramps and restless legs at night or anytime i sit or lay and dr said that its from low d. Crazy!

    • EileenH
      EileenH burpiecicerchi

      Posted

      The leg cramps could also be due to magnesium and calcium imbalances - try a magnesium supplement. That is the first approach by doctors in Europe!
    • fiona14575
      fiona14575 EileenH

      Posted

      Hi there, I also get bad cramps in my feet! I've had a bit of a health journey having had a brain tumour and having had all the delights that go with that treatment which led me to premature menopause in the first place! As my body gets used to the vitamin d (when I get sensible and start taking it) will the tiredness I get from the actual supplements decrease???

    • EileenH
      EileenH fiona14575

      Posted

      I saw your post on the other thread - I'm surprised you are feeling unwell with the supplement. Has the doctor given you a very high dose version? Have you told your doctor? Maybe a different sort would suit you better.

      "Most people do not commonly experience side effects with vitamin D, unless too much is taken. Some side effects of taking too much vitamin D include weakness, fatigue, sleepiness, headache, loss of appetite, dry mouth, metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, and others."

      So yes, fatigue can be caused by vit D but it is unusual. Is it tablets or a liquid? 

      I would think that the fatigue would improve as your body gets used to it but only time will tell. My husband takes 25,000 IU once a week and hasn't complained of any problems and although I take less it's never bothered me either. 

    • dal1978
      dal1978 ptolemy

      Posted

      Hi ptolemy,

      Just wondering what brand of Vitamin D did you use?

      Thanks, Dal

  • heather27635
    heather27635 k11990

    Posted

    Hi there, you sound just like me! I'm taking 60000 units of vit d per week after being told that my vit D level is below 12. I ache a lot particularly my lower legs and pelvis. I've also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It's really hard sometimes, I used to be one of those athletic types, going out hiking gym three times a week etc but now I'm lucky if I can get off the couch, and have put on 3.5 stones as a result which then hurts your joints even more- vicious circle! I hope you get the help you need, I've only just been diagnosed a month but have had joint problems for at least three years. Don't give up! X
    • k11990
      k11990 heather27635

      Posted

      Oh I hear you there!!! I have been on weight watchers for a few months now since Feb as I have gained since my last foot surgery last year. I was off my feet for around 2 months and it really caught up with my weight! Despite being in a lot of pain I have 2 children that keep me active and dog walking to do every day so am trying to increase that each week. I did have to calm it down a few weeks ago though as I pushed myself too much and ended up in agony.

      I had my back and pelvis x-rayed a few weeks ago as its one of my many problem areas (felt much worse at end of sit especially in sitting position) and the x-ray was normal but with some slight change to tendon insertions on my pelvis/lower back so I guess they will have to keep an eye on that.

      Hope you feel better soon.

  • janet130253
    janet130253 k11990

    Posted

    Hi there K11990, and to all other posters.

    I have, today learned that I have low Vit D levels, after mentioning that my energy levels are extremely low, that I ache all over and feel generally unwell. I'm used to monitoring my energy levels and joint pain levels as I struggle with a compromised immune system and have been given a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome in the past. Additionally, I have osteo arthritis in my ankles and knees.

    The Vit D level is 23. Ironically, the results of a recent chest X-ray, show that my heart is enlarged. I have a date for a blood test to further investigate this. 

    I found all of the earlier posts very informative and helpful. Many thanks.

    • k11990
      k11990 janet130253

      Posted

      Hi hope you feel better soon. Has the Dr started you on vit D tablets? 
  • EileenH
    EileenH k11990

    Posted

    Any of you who have been told you have low vit D and don't improve with supllementation - ask for your GP to check your ESR and CRP levels in your blood. Vit D deficiency is often found in autoimmune disorders and one is very similar to the symptoms due to lack of vit D: PMR, polymyalgia rheumatica. 80% of patients have raised levels of these tests. The management is prednisolone but it makes so much difference!

    Once your vit D is raised those symptoms SHOULDN'T take months to resolve - and 60,000 IU should do the job in a couple of months at the most. Many people feel better in a couple of weeks.

  • janet130253
    janet130253 k11990

    Posted

    Hi there k11990. 

    I have an appt later today to see my Gp and to pick up a prescription for my Vit D supplements.

    SInce receiving the news about the low levels of VIt D, I'm going to have to rethink my relationship with the sun. I have very fair skin with freckles and I never go outside without high factor protection. Instead, I'm going to have to forget the protection for a short time and let the sun get to me. I find health and wellbeing so fascinating, there are so many things like this to balance; being in the sun, what we should eat etch, etc.

    kind regards.

    • EileenH
      EileenH janet130253

      Posted

      Good supplements are perfectly acceptable as an alternative but 10-15 mins, in 5min bites between 11am and 3pm is all you need. Stop if you start to go pink though!
    • janet130253
      janet130253 EileenH

      Posted

      Thanks EileenH.

      I will certainly ensure that instead of hiding away from the sun, I learn to enjoy it for short periods before I put on the Factor 30😀

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy janet130253

      Posted

      I sat out in the sun for around ten minutes and doubled my vit D reading in three months. I have a very fair skin too. I did not go out at midday but waited until the afternoon.
    • janet130253
      janet130253 ptolemy

      Posted

      That gives me some hope ptolemy, that things will improve😀
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy janet130253

      Posted

      Janet I am sure if you take supplements and sit out in the sun a bit things will improve no end.
    • Jaybelle
      Jaybelle janet130253

      Posted

      Me Too! I think it's down to being a sun-blocked ginge that I have become so desperately D deficient over the years. I am making an effort to do ten mins in the sun whenever possible. I can't do more, as my skin is so out of practice that I burn after 15 mins. However, I am beginning to build up a crop of freckles and my 'D Minder' android app tells me I am adding usefully to my vitamin D supplement. Professor Holick has lots to say in his book, The Vitamin D Solution, about the many effects of sunlight on the skin and has some fascinating hypotheses about a whole sunlight/skin metabolism that he and his PhD students are currently researching.   
    • janet130253
      janet130253 Jaybelle

      Posted

      Thanks for contributing to the discussion, Jaybelle. Having an app. Is such a good idea, I'll investigate that. Cheers. 
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