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Vitamin D deficiency as a result of long-term severe depression?

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Hildegard
Hildegard

I have Bipolar 1, and my depressions are very severe, sometimes with psychosis, and can last up to two years at a time, during which i am pretty much bedridden and housebound. I only go out when I absolutely have to, and hide inside long, baggy clothes, hoods, scarves and dark glasses summer and winter (ie I hide).

Over the past 5 years I have been diagnosed with bone pain and osteoarthritis. Bone pain is a primry presenting symptom of Vitamin D deficiency.

Ive made an appointment to see my GP and in the meantime have started taking Vit D supplements, but I'd love to hear if anybody out there has had a similar problem?

I would also be interested to know if anybody is aware if GPs are alive to this potential problem, because it seems to me that it could be a very common problem in people with long-term severe depression.

Any thoughts?

0 likes, 19 replies

19 Replies

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  • lancs_lainey
    lancs_lainey Hildegard

    Posted

    I could be wrong,you would have to ask your gp first,but B6 helps,pls do not try without advice.

    Vitamin D is good to lifts moods,especially if you live in a cold country.

    Sunshine gives us vitamin D

  • lini38837
    lini38837 Hildegard

    Posted

    Hi, I am recently diagnosed with vit d deficency ( 17) after 4 years of chronic foot pain, a mis diagnosis of plantar fasciitis, indigestion probs and dr's unable to work out what was wrong with me. I was given PPIs for the indigestion which drains vit d levels and at the same time the foot condition worsened, as my body became more and more fatigued and depressed. I had to reduce work hours, sell my house, change cars and lost my old active life.  Well, I have been taking 2000 units of vit d although my gp said my deficiency wasn't too low and only needed 800units over three months to get better?!! I can see that USA sights recommend much more ( Vit D Council). I have not felt better yet, and I am tempted to go higher with the supplements. I am wondering how you arte feeling now and if there is light at the end of this dark tunnel?
  • absjbs
    absjbs Hildegard

    Posted

    Hi there im so glad you posted this as ive been lookimg into the same thing recently! Ive suffered from low mood and suicidal thoughts for years and despite this only recently got blood tests to screen for other causes (b12 etc)

    And they found I was vit D deficient. I also experience bone pain and finally have an answer why!

    Since then ive looked into this and found loads of studies showing a correlation between depression and vit D. However, they're yet to conclude whether it causes depression or is effected by depression. Also they tested to see whether supplementing vit D could treat depression and it was found to be innefective as far as I can remember.

    Living in England though I'm not sure whether most people would have low vit D When screened, depression or no depression and as you say mood can effect how much we go outside and how we feel about ourselves can cause us to cover up or hide when outside.

    abs

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