Doctor not veryh

[Carrie1959]

Hi Folks,

Just been back to docs today after taking supplements of 6000iu per day for 12 weeks. My symptoms have not improved at all and are still significant. I now have pain in muscles as well as bones that I didn't have before I started on the supplements.  My doctor who is a lovely lady admitted that she didn't have extensive knowledge of vit d but suggested that I should be having some improvement by now as my levels were only slightly low at 25ng when I started and if I didn't show signs of improvement soon maybe I should consider stopping the supplements.  I have been having bone pain for over 2 years so I don't know how low my levels could have been in the past or what damage may have been done already.  She is getting my levels checked again on Friday so hopefully they will be on the increase.  I know a lot of you say that even if your levels are up it can still take time for the healing to kick in but I would love to see some  improvement I am used to being very active - cycling, walking, skiing etc.  I guess I was hoping the doc would just have a few reassuring words but sadly that wasn't the case.  She has also made me an appointment to see a Rheumatoid specialist but I've already seen one  of those and had the blood tests and MRI all which came back normal.  

I think she is just grabbing at straws.

[Carrie1959]

I am really pleased that you are feeling so much better that gives us all hope.  Most people say that even if your levels are within the normal range the healing is still taking place. I think I will increase the magnesium i am taking because I haven't been taking much at all.  

We went on a cruise up the Fjords and visited Stavanger, Flam, Geranger and Bergan.  It was absolutely gorgeous and the weather was really kind to us.

[9na]

I do think patience is a key, I really do. I still have many many symptoms myself, I've been taking D for 7 months now. Retest in March showed a level of 56, bit I think my body still has a lot of healing to do.
I also think that tanning is better for me than just supplements - I did about 8-10 mins of tanning 2-3 times a week from mid january to right before easter, and I think that's one of the reasons my level got so high. It's summer and I get enough sun some days to boost my levels - but far from every day (as you should now - LOL. Where in Norway were you?)

Magnesium seems to me to be another key. I think we need more magnesium than we are told (by doctors and others), and especially while taking D. I have just started taking 400 mg a day of chelated magnesium - before I was taking 300 mg of magnesium oxide (less powerful). I hope to see a difference soon :)

Oh, and I AM better than I was! I have way more good days, my fatigue is much better, my bone and joint pain are much better, and my bowel is better. So there is progress, absolutely - which gives me faith in full recovery in a few months time ;)

[Carrie1959]

Hi,

I will see what my new levels are after getting new blood test this Friday and hopefully my levels will have increased. I will continue taking the supplements until I have given myself enough time to know if it will work for me and if my problem is actually vit d or something else.  I know a lot of people here say it can take several months before recovery happens so I will try and be patient.

We get very little sunshine where I live and I have just been on Holiday to Norway (very beautiful in the Fjords) but as you know not quite a tropical climate so I didn't get continuous sunshine.

I haven't tried a sun bed but maybe that's a possibility and I do take some magnesium and calcuim supplements with the Vit D.

Thanks for your help

[9na]

Hi!

I'm sorry you were disappointed with the doctors visit. I'm no doctor, and I can't remember everything you have written on the forum before. A few thoughts, though:

1) Healing takes time! I know you have heard it a lot and that you are sick of it and just want to feel better NOW - but unfortunately it is the truth. 6-12 months recovery time is a lot. I also believe that those 6-12 months are very different from person to person. Some feel improvement almost right away after starting treatment, others go for months before notcing any significant improvement.

2) Have you been out in midday-sun about half an hour each day? Or used a tanning bed a couple of times a week if there are little sun where you live? It is possible that your body is not utilizing the D3 from supplements very well - many people have better use of the D3 from sunrays.

3) Are you taking magnesium supplements too? It is very important along with the D - and also magnesium deficiency have very similar symptoms to VDD, so in many cases it might be a combined dificiency... Find some good quality magnesium (i.e. chelated magnesium) and start at 300 mg a day.

I wish you better days very soon, and I am curious to see your new numbers soon :)