Vitamin D deficiency

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I've been unwell for on and off now for almost a year. I remember phoning off sick a couple of times before feeling tired and 'achy'. I thought I was just being lazy and this was psychosomatic. Then I started getting really ill when I developed a sudden onset of neck/shoulder pain which is still an on going problem now although the pain has turned into discomfort/ache which I have learned to manage doing exercise and stretches. I also feel sensitivity on other parts of my body (like invisible bruises.For 6 months I was coping with my neck/shoulder problem (symptoms are crawling/tingling sensation in the arm, sensitivity to touch like its bruised and cold feeling and dull ache on my shoulder blade).

Then gradually I started developing 'flu like symptoms' without cough or cold but with tiredness/fatigue and dizzy headache which are intermittent throughout the day, until 2 weeks later I started getting throbbing ache in my legs and eventually I couldn't sit all day without getting restless legs and crawling/tingling sensation in my legs which caused weakness in my legs and worse when I'm going upstairs - and my knees keeps clicking. I went to my doctors who prescribed me with naproxen. And told me that I had something called Reactive Arthritis, which i thought was a misdiagnosis. Overall I though that it could be viral related

This time I've been off work for a week when I started to feel better after a week on naproxen. I came back to work for a week feeling like i thought I recovered. Then boom 2 weeks later gradually the flu like symptom came back with extreme tiredness / fatigue and I've been in bed since. I'm still achy all the time regardless. I have no energy to do anything, even showering is a struggle. Ive been in bed most of the time, sometimes I try to go out with my husband for a few hours but I come back home absolutely exhausted and the soreness/headache i get is a different level. Most of the time I feel like my body is inflamed.

So i decided to get a second opinion and i went to see another GP who referred me for a blood test. A few days later, my results came through and I have Vitamin D deficiency. Everything else they tested seem fine.I have a better outlook now though after the diagnosis, apparently it will take months for the treatment to take effect. I guess now they found something they will stop investigating further (which worries me a little bit) but i guess its process of elimination so treat one thing at a time. Would be great to hear from others who also has this deficiency and whether the treatment was effective?

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  • Posted

    I was found to have a low vitamin d level also. I take 50,000 IU a week do I need more?

    • Posted

      No that's enough dose continue for 4 weeks and then get it rechecked
  • Posted

    Hello, I have just registered on here, because I saw this post. That is exactly how I have been feeling. I haven't been off work sick as thought I was going slightly mad and imaging the pain (shoulders knees back etc), headaches, major fatigue, dizziness. This has been going on for a few years and I have been to the GP many times. I am 29 fairly active walk dog 3 times a day when I can, eat a well balanced diet. I am now struggling up and down stairs with the pain in my knees and feel absolutely shattered!! I have had odd problem with my digestive system especially eating different foods. I seem to get every cold available and I just feel awful!

    The doctor contacted me yesterday and said I was vitamin D deficient. I was just wondering how you felt now and will it get any better. They also now want to check my ferrtin levels.

    • Posted

      If you build up your vit D I am sure you will start to feel better. You will need supplements if deficient but sit out in the sun occassionally too. A good excuse to relax.
    • Posted

      Hello Sarah

      You are not going crazy! It gave me terrible digestive problems, IBS, chronic fatigue, anxiety, low mood  as well as pains in bones in my feet, knees, sternum, ribs, hips and lower back. Before my low vit d levels (12) were diagnosed  In April 2015 I had bronchitis for 6 weeks. I am so much better after large weekly doses of vit d3 supplements from my GP.

      I expect that eventually my bone pains will go away- seems it can take 6months+ to fully recover. Good luck 

       

  • Posted

    hi there,

    i just wanted to let you know  and fellow sufferers that my levels were at 12 in april this year and I have been taking 40000units of vit d a week for the last 8 weeks and I feel 80% better. I have also sat in the sun when it is out fhere in Brighton for brief spells without sunblock (except for my face) but not allowed my skin to get burnt but go a little bit pinkish( I am caucasian). My sleep is really good now, but I still get tired days and aches but not so frequently and hope to keep on improving as I am waiting for blood test results and will definitely continue to supplement with vit d in the winter and ger regular tests done in february and august to keep an eye on my levels. I cannot afford to take anymore unpaid leave from work to get better again after this awful deficiency.

    • Posted

      Glad you are doing better.

      Do you continue to take vitamin D 40,000 IU weekly?

      Is it the D3, or a prescription (that is a D-2 I believe)?

      Thank you

  • Posted

    Hi, I too have had the sudden neck pain and have had chronic low back pain for years...thought it was due to arthritis but thinking back, I remember being barely ok on my vitamin D level. In my research, vitamin D deficiency is oh so common but I never connected the aches with the deficiency. What amount of vitamin D3 supplement do women in their 50's need?
    • Posted

      It really depends how deficient you are. Can you get a blood test?  If you are not deficient you will not need supplements. Also sitting out in the sun helps. I read that half the population are vit D deficient. 
    • Posted

      If you are not deficient you do not need to take any supplement, you can get vitamin D toxicity if you take too much. If your blood test shows you are below 25 nmol/l you will need a prescription for high dosage vit D over a period from your doctor. Otherwise go to a chemist and buy a pack of supplements over the counter and follow the instructions. Talk to the pharmacist about it, they are very helpful. I do think you should check you are deficient before taking any vit D supplement. Vit D deficiency may not be the problem and if not you should ask your doctor for advice on what is causing your aches and pains.
    • Posted

      hi private message me all you symptoms and have you ever been tested for fibromyalgia as i wonder if thats the cause of your pain as i have it but had a vitamin d deficiency and had similar pain but was told being vitamin d deficient would not cause the pain so message me the symptoms and i will let you know if i think you should ask your gp about fibromyalgia
    • Posted

      I just have the neck and low back pain off and on, that's mainly it.
    • Posted

      i know what thats like and its not pleasent i have pain all over but im glad you dont have it all over and i hope you get it sorted
    • Posted

      From what you say it does not sound as if your symptoms are from vit D deficiency, although you may be deficient of course. 

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