Vitamin D deficiency, hyperparathyroidism and heartburn.

Posted , 24 users are following.

Hi can anyone relate to having muscle and bone pain with being deficient in vitamin D ?   I get severe pains in muscles down my back and this has spread into my shoulders and up my neck into my head at the back. The pains come and go but i always feel tender and stiff in these area's. I get sharp shooting pains, burning pains and the feeling that my muscles are sore to touch. I also have felt like the muscle is tearing when i turn to reach something, the tearing sensation is really painful. I get shooting pains in my right leg in the hip/buttock joint which makes walking difficult at times and causes my left knee to give as i try to keep weight off right leg. The bone pain is usually in my lower back. When the pains in my neck muscles started it seemed to be triggered after i heard a cracking sound and got sharp pains in the back of my neck. 

I also have primery hyperparathyroidism and severe indigestion/acid.

 

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  • Posted

    Hello, I was diagnosed as VitD deficient a year ago. My understanding is that full recovery depends on how long you have been deficient VitD. The rheumatologist explained to me that insufficient VitD leaches calcium from the bones and often ends up in other areas where it causes problems e.g muscles, extra calcium in saliva causing calcified plaque on teeth & in my case blocking salivary glands causing severe dry mouth problem 

    Google The VitaminDCouncil Org. It is worth exploring as it has so much information. 

    I found a great deal of useful information on this Web site

    My Dr left me to research and decide how much to take. I bought the highest strength VitD over the counter and for 4 months took 2 pills daily. My muscle pains and cramps started to clear quite quickly. My dry mouth eventually cleared and I'm now able to see dental hygienist for descale 6 monthly rather than 4 times a year. A magnesium pill daily also helps when taking Vit D. 

    I'm now working with a physio and taking TaiChi lessons to help build muscle strength, flexibility & improve balance 

    • Posted

      Penny,

      I am having issues with severe dry mouth. My Vit D level was at 15.8. Could this alone cause dry mouth? My doctor put me on 50,000 units of Vit D once a week. I have taken two doses so far. How long did it take for you to start having relief from dry mouth. It's so severe it keeps me up at night. I normally can only sleep an hour at a time. I appreciate your help. I have been so worried.

  • Posted

    Look up Vitamin D Society Canada on the web  - a wealth of info. 

    You can also have a private fingerprick test by an NHS lab in the UK.

    Search for "VitD blood test Sandwell Birmingham". You are looking for link to City Assays

    I did one last year and now going do it twice a year to make sure my level is as high as possible but remains in the 'safe' zone. 

  • Posted

    And while my previous post being checked by moderator (I forgot mustn't send some links) then do online search as well for The VitaminD Council. Huge amount of info. 

    Worth getting book  "The Vitamin D Solution"  - author Dr M Holick  

  • Posted

    I am 60+ female who was told to avoid sun when I was treated for malignant melanoma when I was 30 yrs old. 

    I have had extremely painful muscle spasms - once carted off to A&E with ?heart attack when I had gripping pain around upper chest front/back into jaw and arms. Sent home as healthy - just muscular skeletal problem. Still get spasms sometimes but less severe now  . . But leg muscles still very weak lurching walk hard to climb stairs - slowly getting better . . .2 steps forward and one back . . .

    Good luck . . .do your research so you can work WITH your doctor . . it's your body - 

    the Holick book has very good charts so you can work out safest way to sunbathe without burning but enough to make Vit D naturally - consider continuing to take  one VitD supplement pill a day from October to April to maintain levels 

    • Posted

      Hi Penny and thank you for your advise. I started taking vitamin D tablets a couple of weeks ago while while waiting for the hospital to send the letter of correct dosage to my gp. I have just stopped then as my acid indigestion has got much worse while taking them and am worried that my blood calcium level may have gone higher causing the indigestion. I am due to see my gp tomorrow and will mention this to her. 

      I had a dexa scan a couple of years ago when i 1st saw the endocronologist and was told i had thinning of the bones but not too bad. I also ended up in A&E with chest pains, pale and sweating, but heart checks were fine. I get very scared with chest pains and a bit panicky. It seems to me that i get new muscle pains each year and now have reached a point that they can happen from head to toe. I should get the results of my recent blood tests tomorrow so can see if anything has gone worse since last year plus i should have a prescription for the correct dose of vitamin D. I will definately do some research as you have suggested, thank you.

  • Posted

    You muscle pain symptoms are consistent with symptoms of hyperparathyroidism so you need a doctor to examine you and see what your calcium levels are which once regulated will alleviate your muscle pain. Vitamin D also needs to be looked by the doctor and if deficient significantly you could get a prescription form Vitamin D which is much potent. Your muscle pain is related to calcium imbalance. You should take your condition seriously because if left untreated your muscles could degenerate and your bones could break.

    As for acid, you could use Zantac 150 mg but also try supplements to rebuild your good gut flora: acidophilus, caprylic acid pills and digestive enzyme supplements

    • Posted

      Hi Peppe, thank you for your reply.  I saw my endocronologist 2 weeks ago and he said i was vitamin D deficent. I will get the results of my blood test tomorrow when i see my gp and should get a prescription for vitamin D at a high dose, then have blood tests in a month to see if its raising my blood calcium further.  I did start taking some vitamin D tablets after seeing the endocronologist 2 weeks ago but have found my acid indigestion got much worse so was worried they were raising my calcium further. I will see what gp says tomorrow. 

      I try to control indigestion with gaviscon which unfortunately contains calcium but i did once try omprazole as suggested by gp and on 2nd day ended up at A&E with visual disturbance (flashing lights) and they told me it could be side effect so dare not take ppi's. I will consider trying the digestive enzymes though so thank you for advice.

  • Posted

    Hi all, i am waiting for my vitamin D prescription which i am told will be 800 and my vitamin D level is under 30. Has anybody had side effects from taking a high dose of vitamin D ? My endocronologist wants me to have blood tests every month in case it raises my calcium level which was 2.74 at the last test.
    • Posted

      Hi smile

      Finally vit D def? Rite and Under 30 is low. Mine was under 4 not even measurable. Anyhow u better start treatment take ur pres. Reguarlynas directed by ur gp. Everything will be okay. Keep regular check on ur calcium level and other things ur gp considers imp.

      I went through a tough time recently. Got my MRI result which showed 2 microadenoma tumors (non cancerous) in my pituatary gland there is no surgery indication, endo said it will treated through medication. Well now i am stable.. Initially got very disturbed but due to my family support and love and doctors positice attitude

    • Posted

      Doctor's positive attitude I am relaxed. Enjoying so much attention and love smile

      You also follow ur gp and complete ur medicine course. Get well soon

      Take care

    • Posted

      Hi Reemaa, your vitamin D was very low compared to mine. Its good to know that taking the vitamin D does help and so glad you have a supportive family to help you feel more positive with your treatment for the micoadenoma's. Hope everything works out fine, best wishes.
    • Posted

      You cannot be cured of hyperparathyroidism by medication. Surgery is the only cure trust me..get a New Dr. He stinks
  • Posted

    Have you had a tumor removed from you parathyroid gland? I not please double check taking Vit D can be dangerous if you have a PTH producing tumor that causes your calcium to raise and your Vit D to become deficient. If you have a tumor on one of your 4 parathyroid glands the surgery is suppose to be quick (15-20 minutes) and you go home the same day. I am in the process of getting mine out now. I have my MRI next thursday and surgery will be schedule for the week after,

     

    • Posted

      Hi Sandra, no not had surgery. When i 1st saw endocrinologist i had regular blood tests to monitor calcium levels and dexa scan which showed a bit of thinning of bones plus scan of kidneys (no stones, just a benign cyst). Was told he would do operation if i wanted it !! But as he did not seem certain i left it at that.  Now a year I found out that consultant had sent them diagnosis of primery hyperparathyroidism so back for blood tests. They seem more concerned with low vitamin D and said they will check it in a month of starting taking to see if it does raise my calcium. Like you i am concerned about this so if it does raise calcium i will stop and insist they sort the faulty gland out. I do know that not all surgeons can do the quick 15-20min operation, do you have one that can where you live?  I go to York hospital.
    • Posted

      Hi France's, I do not know how useful this will be but I had many of the symptoms you described and am currently in week 4 of post operative surgery . I had the various tests and scans and was in the fortunate position of a growth actually showing up on one of my parathyroid glands and minimally invasive surgery performed by an excellent ENT Consultant who specialises in this op in the West Midlands. Everything went as planned, I had an overnight stay and have felt so much better since. The bone pain went within a couple of days and the fatigue and lack of concentration get better by the day. Reflux symptoms are also decreasing. My advice is not to be worried about surgery, have a full discussion not with the Endrocronologist but with the surgeon ( you can still decide not to proceed), ask lots of questions including how many such procedures he/ she does in a year and what their conversion rate is. Whatever you decide must be right for you so good luck.
    • Posted

      Hi Margaret, thank you its good to hear some positive stories as it gives hope that i may eventually feel better. I have been very tired this week and had burning muscle pain in my back but i will be seeing the endocronologist next week so will see what he says. Its great that you have got the treatment you needed, best wishes Frances
    • Posted

      Sounds like you need a second opinion. I would be worried about them igoring your diagnossed parathyroid condition for you vit d deficiency as your condition lowers vit d in order to lower calcium for you, the body is wiser than doctors.
    • Posted

      Just seen how old this is. Did you ever get sorted out frances?
    • Posted

      Hi no i am still no nearer getting sorted. I started taking the vitamin D and the 1st test showed it was had not raised my calcium so was told to keep taking it and they would keep checking with blood tests. Then i started to suffer increasing indigestion, burping, bloating, stomach discomfort, trapped wind causing chest pains etc. After trying with Gaviscon, did try ppi but gave me visual disturbance so stopped. Ended up having endoscope which showed small hiatus hernia and small patch of inflammation. Was told to try Ranitadine, i started taking a small dose to give me chance to get used to any side effects. Helped but did get worse muscle pains and cramping legs than i normally. Then i weaned myself off them after nearly 8 weeks after reading that they are addictive and you can end up with worse rebound acid. Trying to keep it under control with diet and standard indigestion remedys. During all this have kept missing my vitamin d but going to try take it regular again, then get doctor to run test to see if there is any improvement in level. 

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