Vitamin D Defeciency-New Symptoms

I am just finishing my second dose (two months) of vitamin D and for some odd reason still having some symptoms, even new ones.  Not sure if they are related but I've been having constant head pressure, chest pain (feels like pain in heart) especially at night, and last night I had a nosebleed.  This is not helping with my thoughts that I am on the road to recovery, so i'm wondering if there is something else I should be asking my doctor or are any of these symptoms normal in the "healing process?"  Any response would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[gadgetsmidnight]

Help me understand.  You said this is just your second dose of Vitamin D...are you only receiving one dose a month?  Are you taking it orally?  What is the strength of the dose?  Most people who are being treated for VDD are either taking a weekly prescription that is D2 50,000iu (some do this more than once a week) and some are taking a daily D3 (OTC) Vitamin D that ranges any where from 1,000iu to up to 10,000iu.  I have not heard of an oral med that is taken once a month.
VDD can have a multitude of symptoms  including benign cardiac symptoms, anxiety, depression, thyroid issues, muscle pain, bone pain etc.  (Nose bleeds can happen if you have low humidity in your house.  This happens mostly in winter.  As long as you were able to stop the nose bleed fairly quickly, you can try a couple of things. 1. Raise the humidity in your house 2. Use normal saline rinses or nasal sprays to keep the mucous membranes of your nose from getting dry.  If those items don't help or you were unable to stop the bleeding in 5-10 minutes, you then need to speak to your doctor).
Before I can address your question if your symptoms could be the "healing process" let me know how you are being treated for VDD.  Some people do have issues with Vitamin D tx and have to have their medication  adjusted.  You might want to look up Phyllis2010 and read some of her posts.  I will try to check back tonight after work to see if you have replied to this message.

[TW1985]

Sorry for not making my dosage clearer.  When I first began taking my vitamin D dosage, it was 50,000 iu once a week.  Once I began to see my endocronologist, he increased my dosage to twice a week.  After further blood tests and symptoms still residing, he increased my dosage again to vitamin D three times a week, magnesium (250 mg) once a day, and calcium citrate four times a day, which is my current dosage.  I actually went to see my endocronologist yesterday regarding my current symptoms, and ordered blood work to recheck my vit d levels, check my antithyroid peroxide antiobody (felt a goiter), check my BMP and magnesium level also.  Hopefully I should have those results in a couple of days.  I just want to feel better, and it doesn't help when new things come up that make me feel like something else is totally wrong that the doc isn't catching.  Thank you for the information you provided, it helps alot!!  I will also go look at Phyllis2010 posts now for some more info.  Thanks again and hope to hear from you soon.

[Kimmycub1]

I have the same thing as you. I have been getting heart palpitations feeling anxious all the time, and shaking at times. I went to the doctor and they performed a blood test and my vitamin d came in really low at 13.  She prescribed me vitamin d to eat once a week for twelve weeks (50,000 iu) I started on the vitamin last week and I felt very weak and nausea after taking it. I fine a couple days after and today I seem to feel worse. I still have heart palpitations and shake once in a while. I'm going to see a cardiologist soon to see what's wrong. I hope you all feel better because this vitamin d defiency stinks !  

[Kimmycub1]

I have the same thing as you. I have been getting heart palpitations feeling anxious all the time, and shaking at times. I went to the doctor and they performed a blood test and my vitamin d came in really low at 13.  She prescribed me vitamin d to eat once a week for twelve weeks (50,000 iu) I started on the vitamin last week and I felt very weak and nausea after taking it. I fine a couple days after and today I seem to feel worse. I still have heart palpitations and shake once in a while. I'm going to see a cardiologist soon to see what's wrong. I hope you all feel better because this vitamin d defiency stinks !  

[TW1985]

Yes it really does stink! Fortunately we are able to come on this forum to express ourselves and also encourage one another to think positive.  I've been having some strange symptoms lately that have been making me nervous.  I'm thinking about going to the ER but I'm accumulating soooo many doctor bills when they just keep telling me the same thing "everything looks fine" but I don't feel fine!! It's nervewrecking and I believe a lot of the stress makes the situation worse, but I will continue to think positive and know that things will get better!!

[Kimmycub1]

What kinds of symptoms are you feeling ?

[TW1985]

Lately, I have been having constant chest pain, neck pain and jaw pain.  My endocronologist just recommended me to a cardio doctor to do a stress test next week, however I have been to a cardio doc previously, had numerous ekg's, wore a holter monitor and had an echodiagram and of course everything is fine!! I actually took more blood work for to recheck my vit d level, to check my thryoid level and also my magnesium, BMP and calcium level.  I just basically want to be assured that it is the low vit d level causing all this, and if not find out the root of everything so I can feel better.  Right now it's really stressful not knowing what's going on and to think the worst is so easy. But I'm going to continue to stay positive!!

[gadgetsmidnight]

Sorry it took so long to get back at you.  Problems with my server.  You seem to be taking a lot of the 50,000iu.  Although I have seen it prescribed that way, sometimes just can't handle that high of a dose.  You might want to go to the Vitamin D council website to get the most current information on VDD, treatments etc.

As odd as this sounds the prescription form can be difficult for people to absorb.  If you are having these troubles, you might need to switch to the Vitamin D3 that is OTC.  It is usually tolerated more and is easier for the body to process.  I went through all the cardiac testing when we were searching for an answer to why I was having so many issue.  Everything was normal except my Vitamin D was serverely deficient.  Since I have finally gotten up to optimum levels (50-80ng/ml) most of my symptoms have either greatly improved or are no longer an issue.  Studies say it can take up to a year (sometimes longer) from when you reach optimum levels for a resolution of symptoms.  I wish you luck.  Make sure you educate yourself on VDD at reliable sources.  Many doctors are not "up to date" on treatment and the such. (I was the first adult my doctor had ever seen who was VDD and he had no idea that it could cause such a range of symptoms.  Once he realized I was getting better when my levels went up, he began to check the test on other patients with similar issues.  Guess what 85% were VDD.)

[Kimmycub1]

I'm sure your fine don't worry. :) were all in this together. I have a question did you get any side affects eating the first dose of the 50000 iu vitamin d tablet ? Cuz I got nausea weak and kind of dizzy and I'm about to take the second pill tomorrow so I'm just curious if it's just me who's feeling like this. Also throughout the day it's hard for me to concentrate is it like this for everyOne who has vit d defiency ?

[TW1985]

Yes I thought it was alot too, and actually he doesn't have me taking anything until he receives the lab work from my vit d level retest.  So that could be some of the reason for issues, I haven't taken vitamin D any this week.  I just wish I could be normal again, but I guess that will take awhile. I will go and check out that website thanks for the info.  Also, I read some previous comments about taking OTC D3, and I have purchased a bottle.  Just not sure what type of dosage of it I should take, any advice on that would be great!  Really interesting and hard to accept that low vitamin D can cause all these problems within the body, but I guess it is the case with us and so many others.  Glad to know that the docs are taking this more seriously now.  Thanks again for all your encouragement and info and will be in touch!

[TW1985]

Thanks for the encouragement.  Yes I did have a funny feeling when I first began taking the vitamin D.  I read somewhere (I believe on one of the forums) that this means that your body is "healing", and I understand you frustration because I felt like why should my body have to feel like this to be healing.  But everyone that has and is still going through this defeciency says it's a long process and us worrying probably makes it even harder to get through.  I too have trouble concentrating on a daily basis only because I'm always thinking what could be wrong or what may happen to me in the next second.  We just have to know that we will begin feeling better in due time and stay positive!!!

[Kimmycub1]

It's not that I can't concentrate because I'm thinking of something else.. It's like I'm sitting in class and I can't focus or I'm really cold all the time. Is this normal or it's just me ?

[gadgetsmidnight]

I had taken the 50,000iu for over a year, when my Endocrinologist had to take me off of it for kidney issues.  The abrupt removal (Even though I was still taking the OTC D3 at 2000iu/d) caused me to have a lot of dizziness, muscle pain, h/a and fatigue. (Lasted almost a month)  So, your symptoms could be related to the abrupt stopping or because your levels are plummeting or a combination of both.

[TW1985]

Yes i'm not sure if that is the case because I have been feeling horrible as of lately.  Last night I could barely sleep because I was feeling sensations throughout my body all night long.  And then this morning I have been having shoulder blade pain really bad.  I've been paying attention to what I eat, which I had pizza and wings last night so I'm not sure if it's reflux or what.  I had a colonoscopy and they found some reflux but I didn't think it was anything to this extreme.  I actually went ahead and took 5 of the vit d3 which is 5,000 iu so I hope that makes me feel better.  I'm just so tired of feeling this way but I know things will get better soon hopefully!!

[gadgetsmidnight]

Unfortunetely, OTC D3 is not like taking a tylenol.  There isn't an immediate effect.  I think that is why it can take such a long time to get back to "normal".  Hopefully you will get back the results of the additional blood work your Endo ordered and you will get some answers either there or with the cardiologist.  I am telling you though, if everything comes back with in normal limits, then all your symptoms could be D related.
Did you read the thread in this forum where everyone listed their symptoms?
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/recovery-after-vitamin-D-deficiency/Vitamin-D-deficiency--symptoms/show/1257522
Here's a link to that and a study regarding the length of time until potentially feeling better.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Undiagnosed-Symptoms/what-happens-after-treatment-with-vitamin-d-deficiency/show/1151898

[Kimmycub1]

Thabks for your help and explanation. I just have one question. Do u guys get lots of heart palpitations ??? I get it all te time and it scares me :(

[TW1985]

Yes I do get these alot and have had every heart test known to man and of course everything is normal.  I think we have to realize that this low vit d level really can take a toll on our body.  Once we accept that, continue taking the dosages and quit worrying so much things will probably get better for us.  But that's easier said than done right! Good thing we're here to encourage one another!!

[TW1985]

Thanks for the links and yes I have read both of those forums which are very helpful.  I should hear something  back from my Endo today! This weekend was not the best for me so hopefully he has some answers.  Like I stated it may have something to do with him taking me off of the vit d until those test results came back.  That could have played a big part but of course my mind is racing and thinking otherwise.  I will keep you posted however as soon as I hear something!

[gadgetsmidnight]

At the begining I did.  They even put me on a heart monitor for 3 weeks.  No abnormalities were seen.  I still get them occasionally, but now that I know my heart is fine, so I don't worry.

[gadgetsmidnight]

I hope to hear the results soon.

[Kimmycub1]

Thanks guys ! I have another question did  u guys get it everyday every so often ? And now that you guys are taking vitamin d supplements has the heart palpitations calmed down a bit ? If so how long has it been since u noticed that the heart palpitations aren't as bad ?

[gadgetsmidnight]

In the begining I had "palpitations" or what ever they were, multiple times a day.  When my numbers got over 30ng/ml I didn't notice them as much and I think now I have only had one or 2 in the last several months.

[TW1985]

My endo doc still hasn't received the lab work not sure what the hold up is hopefully I hear something today cause last night was just as worse.  It's like i'm relapsing or something! But today I'm going to need some answers for sure. Like I stated every since he told me to stop taking it I've been feeling worse and worse so I'm not sure that was a good idea, but I guess he wanted to make sure I wasn't taking too much! Will keep you posted!

[Ricky_Jupiter]

Thank you for your post. I'm new here because I recently found out my vitamin D levels are low. The Dr. didn't tell me the number but I'm on 50,000 IU once a week. I'm only into my 3rd week on this but I have finally had a few nights where I can actually sleep more than 4 hours. My symptoms pretty much match most of what I have seen here. Is there anything else I can do as far as diet or other meds to cope with these miserable symptoms? Dizzy, brain fog, vertigo, ringing in ears, muscle pains with a burning sensation,muscle spasms,random sharp pains all over my body, EXTREME fatigue and anxiety that I may have a disease. When the Dr's office called they said my blood test came back fine with the exception of very low vitamin D. Your post and others make me hopeful that I can recover but the thought of a long battle scares me because it has brought on depression and despair.

[Gary3243]

One thing to also have checked for evreyone is your Thyroid levels.  They can also can cause these same symptoms.  Im at the low normal level of Free T3 and may try a small dose of thyroid supplement to see what that does.  Been on VD for awhile now.

[Ricky_Jupiter]

Thank you Gary. I've been out of work and had to go on a sliding scale fee program here in AZ and they don't seem to care much. I don't even know what all they tested for on the blood test. The Dr. was smart enough to check for vitamin D deficiency though so I am thankful for that. They told me to just take the 50,000 IU per week and go back in 3 months. Should I call back and let them know how debilitating the symptoms are or just tough it out?

[Gary3243]

I jsut got my blood levels back and am 62ng form 31 ng just a few months ago.  Upped my dose form 5k/day to 10k/day, which equates 70k per week.  Feeling better but still having some symptoms.  I know it can take time, but if possible I would have your free T3, Free T4, reverse T3 and TSH checked.  Hypo T can cause tingling, weakness, dry skin, brittle hair etc.  My TSH is great, but my T3 whihc is what the cells use is at the low end of normal, so Im might experiment with some T3 supplement to see how I feel.  Im also low normal on Testosterone, so may go on that.  Between VDD, Low/normal  thyroid and low/normal test, no wonder Ive been feeling so bad!

[TW1985]

The doc finally received my lab work and my vit d level is in the 60's now.  Thyroid level was normal something new though was my glucose level was sort of high.  Not sure if that had anything to do with my diet prior to labs or what?? Still feeling some of the symptoms, so should I still take OTC D3 even though my leves are up.  The doc says he thinks my symptoms are from something else not the vitamin D.  I'm starting to feel i'm about to be pushed aside since everything tests normal but I don't feel normal that's the problem.  I saw an internal med doctor and she stated that she thinks a lot of this is anxiety.  Could this be the case?? Really getting frustrated.  I just want to make sure everything is covered and I'm not missing anything!!

[Gary3243]

Find a level of OTC D3 to maintain your levels above 60ng.  Im shooting for 70-80 ng and then may taper down to 7k or 5k/day.  With summer almost here I may taper down even more.  Re thryoid, I had 2 docs say that my levels were normal.  Went to a metobolic MD and he looked at same results and stated that I was fuctionally hypothyroid.  My levels were in range but my reverse T3 was high, meaning that I m having issues converting T4 to T3.  Im on a small dose of time released T3 right now.  Your T3 and T4 levels should be in the upper 1/3 of the range.  My TSH looks perfect, but my T3 level is in the lower 1/3 of the normal rnage and my mom has been hypot her whole life.  

[Kimmycub1]

Yay your vitamin d levels are up. Keep it up :) I suggest you continue to take OTC vit d. What Kim of symptoms are you still feeling ? Heart palpitations ?

[TW1985]

Lately I've been having some head pressure and chest pains, so as gary suggested I'm going to take a dosage of the OTC D3 to see if that helps.  I still don't feel great, but I guess it takes time.  Not really any heart palpitations, I actually had a stress test done a couple of days ago and my heart was normal so that was good news! Just wished I felt like the test results are saying!

[TW1985]

Thanks and I hopefully I find something out as far as thyroid issues.  My doctor also did an ultrasound so I have to call and get results from that.  Lately I've been having some head pressure and chest pains and feeling kind of bad at night and first thing in the morning.  But I'm going to try a dosage of the OTC D3 that you suggested and see if that helps any!

[Gary3243]

Im wanting to maintain my levels at 70 to 80ng.  I was at 31ng a month ago and doubled it to 62ng in one month on 10k/day.  I probably need to bring my dose down to the 5-7k range at some point for maintenance, but I wonder if some of my issues arent thyroid/testosterone related.

[Kimmycub1]

What Week of vit d are you on ? I'm on my third week and I still feel a lot of heart palpitation and it scares me.

[yogabull]

Kim - I'm not sure if you are still having the shaking and heart palpitations but the same thing was happening to me. It was very scary and I went to the ER one night because I was sure I was having a heart attack! We had recently lost our sweet golden retriever, so a lot of people chalked it up to "stress." But, I knew something wasn't right. I did some research, and found that many people who are on recovery doses of D expose an underlying magnesium deficiency, and that high levels of D can absorb magnesium as well. Within 24 hours of taking 500 mg. of magnesium with my Vit.D I felt 100% better. I wonder if this is what you are experiencing as well? Hope you are feeling better.

[molivem]

Hi I am new to the forum. Nice not to feel crazy. My level of d was 7 and I am also hypothyroid. Taking50000 once a week for one month now. Feel a bit better mostly because I don't think I am a hypocondriac, lazy dull human anymore. There is a reason I don't do anything for days on end. Thanks for sharing.

[Londres70]

My level was 8 and now it is 50.  I am also wondering if I have a hypothyroid issue as well.  One physician told me that a vitamin D level @ 8 shouldn't cause any symptoms.  I thought to myself he has got to be joking.  Hope he doesn't ever have to deal with a low vitamin D level.  What an idiot.    

[annagladin]

My blood work came low on vitamin D as 10. I was feeling so tired and depressed and all the bones in my body were hurting. I'm Mexican with very white skin, I  had always avoid the sun, but now I sit outside for 20 minutes to get sunshine and my doctor started me on vitamin D3, a few days ago, And I can feel a big difference I'm also eating and drinking more high vitamin D foods. Good luck to everyone!