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Vitamin D and Vitiligo

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joanna12935
joanna12935

Hello and thank you for the informative messages I have  discovered on this site today I have had vitiligo (loss of pigment ) for almost 40 years and have been diagnosed with a vitamin d deficiency just  this week. Over the years I have had tests related to this auto-immune condition in order to ensure readings don't get out of hand. Foolishly I have assumed that the relevant tests would be done but not vitamin d apparently :-( since I was about 44 ( 5 years ago), I have had increased pain in my knees, wrists, feet, shoulders, neck. I feel stiff and in pain especially when I wake and in the evening. No diagnosis ever given by GP other than plantas fasciitis - I have done exercises for a year with little improvement and now have hospital specialist appointment. So now I wonder if my bit d reading of 24 has anything to do with how I am feeling- in pain all the time, tired, find it hard to lose weight (?). I exercise regularly and work part time. I want to feel healthier and stronger and live life to the full.  Any tips or experiences most welcome. Thank you. 

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy joanna12935

    Posted

    24 is quite a low reading and vit D deficiency symptoms are very much as you describe, tired and achey. Are you now taking a vit D supplement? It normally takes at least three months to build up your vit D. I sit out in the garden with a book and cup of tea which is pleasant. You should not use sunscreen when outside catching your daily vit D intake, but don't sit around without sunscreen after you have been in the sun for more than fifteen minutes or so.
    • joanna12935
      joanna12935 ptolemy

      Posted

      Thank you Ptolemy. I am taking 80mg per day for 3 months then dr said I should drop to 1/4 of that dose. Perhaps I should have blood test before lowering? I have no melanin in skin so have to cover up however am now having 15 mins in late pm sunshine :-) are you a recovered or recovering vit d person?
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy joanna12935

      Posted

      My initial reading was 26 I managed to get to 52 in three months. I did spend a lot of time in the sun! It is probably a good idea to have a blood test in three months to see how it is going. It is not a very expensive test, so doctors should be happy.
    • joanna12935
      joanna12935 ptolemy

      Posted

      Great - well done :-) may I ask how are your muscles and energy levels now?
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy joanna12935

      Posted

      I also have PMR which has similar symptoms, so I am not sure how much improvement I actually had which is annoying. 
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy joanna12935

      Posted

      PMR - polymyalgia rheumatica, is an auto immune disease. It means pain in many muscles and is excruciating. It just happened overnight. In the end I could hardly get out of bed or get dressed. The GP kept saying I had a virus. The only way to help the pain is to take steroids, which also have their problems, with some pretty nasty side effects. I think I got PMR through being stressed, although they don't really know why it happens. The body just decides to attack itself. 
    • joanna12935
      joanna12935 ptolemy

      Posted

      Dreadful for you - my father in law has polymyalgia - he is in his 80s. Thank you for taking the time to correspond the day :-)
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy joanna12935

      Posted

      That is interesting, how long has he had it? Is he taking steroids?
    • joanna12935
      joanna12935 ptolemy

      Posted

      He does take steroids - he has had polymyalgia for about 6 years - he is in his 80s. Sadly he is severely affected by it but I understand that it can go into a type of remission.
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy joanna12935

      Posted

      Yes it can go into remission although you never actually get rid of it, so it can come back. I believe fifty per cent go into remission within six years, so your father may be in luck. It really is a very nasty illness that I would not wish on my worst enemy. Wish your father my best wishes. 
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