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Vitamin D and Calcium

Posted , 11 users are following.

GM70
GM70

I have recently been diagnosed with PMR. I am now taking Prednisolone 15mg daily.  From the literature given to me by my doctor and from reading posts on this I realise that I must start taking vitamin D and Calcium.

I have just read the North East region support group's summer news letter. I found it extremely helpful, but I have a query. 

When discussing vitamin D and Calcium they write:-

Rule is - Early AM - Prednisolone (with food)

              Mid AM - 1st PPI (on empty stomach) an hour before food

Could anyone please tell me what "1st PPI" means. (abbreviations are of no help to a newcomer like me.)

 

0 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • mrs_k
    mrs_k GM70

    Posted

    Sorry for that slip up.

    Proton Pump Inhibitors. (PPI's)  Tablets for acid reflux mainly.  Omnaprozale, Lanszoprozale (check spelling).  However, make sure you need this protection and check out the side effects listed on the paper that comes with the tablets.

    Personally, Zantac are best, but I used the acid reflux remedy when I was given it by other people who used it and found it worked and it did for me, then no worry about more side effects. 

     

    • GM70
      GM70 mrs_k

      Posted

      Thank you Mrs K. I will certainly keep away from the PPIs as long as I can and if needed in the future I will ask GP for Zantac.
  • debbie27473
    debbie27473 GM70

    Posted

    Hi

    I hope you don't mind me putting in my two penuth! Have you had your calcium blood test result? When I was first diagnosed in January, my gp automatically put me on a calcium and vitamin d supplement. Two weeks later I was feeling very unwell. A different doctor checked my blood test results and found that my calcium levels were too high. Apparently this is very worrying! She took me off of them immediately, so it is worth double checking that you actually need everything you are prescribed to save yourself from any extra discomfort. Welcome to the forum (but sorry, of course that you have this horrid condition)! Take care and I hope you have a rapid journey through pmr.

    • GM70
      GM70 debbie27473

      Posted

      Thank you Debbie for your input. I have appointment booked for next Friday wth my GP so I will ask for the blood test then. I can see how that makes sense. I have only been on the Prednisolone for a few weeks so my Calcium levels may be ok. I am just getting over the nasty effects of my Prednisolone being lowered too much and too early, back on the 15mg now, so the last thing I want is side effects from something else. Thank you for the information.
    • mrs_k
      mrs_k GM70

      Posted

      If you can talk your GP into testing all your mineral levels it is very useful.  You then keep a record of where you are at.

      However, one of the most important test is Vit D deficiency, hope you have had this done and noted the result and then if it is at an OK level you can take a daily supplement to keep it up at that level.  Maintenance dose recommended is 1000 units per day, I buy mine from Boots, but you can get them on prescription if the GP will concur.

    • GM70
      GM70 mrs_k

      Posted

      Thank you Mrs K. Fortunately my GP is very approachable. I will certainly ask for my levels to be checked.
    • EileenH
      EileenH debbie27473

      Posted

      That is one of the first things that should be checked and put right. There are several causes of PMR symptoms - PMR isn't the disease, it is the name for the symptoms - and there is a range of tests to be done. One is a full blood panel which would have picked that up if it was already high. And if they decide to give ANY bone protection medication it is important to keep a close eye on blood levels.

      Was it the original blood result from before giving you the calcium tablets or did the second doctor repeat it to find the raised level?

    • debbie27473
      debbie27473 EileenH

      Posted

      Hi Eileen,

      This was before she sent me for first blood tests. She also gave me a prescription for alendronic acid but I said I would only take this if it proved necessary. She wasn't impressed. Next time I went, she was on holiday and I saw my current doctor. We seem to be much more 'on a wave length', so I've stuck with her.

      By the way, I am starting the slow reduction plan today that you recommend so I'm hoping to be able to finally get below 13.5mg. At last seem to have got over this bout of 'sudden onset sleepiness', so here goes. Are you still symptom free? Hope so. Take care, Debbie.

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