Dosage Modification Due to Side Effects of D2

[Phyllis2010]

Thanks to you all for your support during my side effect ordeal on D2 50,000 IU. Because of your feedback, I just designed a more  tolerable (I hope) D3 dosing regimen with my doctor. I will be taking 5200 IUs vitamin D3 daily. We're hoping that will keep me at a more steady state level as opposed to flooding me with a 50,000 IU bolus all at once. I also feel that D3 will have greater bioavailability than D2. (Maybe, I'm so old that I can't metabolize D2 to D3 in my liver or whatever).  I really need more D -- my last dose was Thursday and, now that my levels are probably down, I'm having difficulties walking again. I'm so grateful for the help you've given me.

Thanks again, Phyllis

[johnnymutt]

Everything I've read on the D3, I think you might be right on Phyllis. I'm going to talk to my doctor after I finish this prescription of D2. I'm not having any serious side effects, but then again, I think I'm way underdosed.

Congratulations and good luck with the new prescription. I'm hoping you start to feel much better.

[Phyllis2010]

You might do just fine on D2, most people probably do or they wouldn't keep prescribing it. The good thing about my new regimen is that I don't even need a prescription for it -- I can buy it over the counter in any health food store.

Overexerted myself yesterday and I'm having a terrible day today, replete with problems walking, which makes me start thinking about MS again. I may try to force myself to go to the gym and ride the stationary bicycle. I wish there was more information on the effects of exercise/overexertion in people with d defiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Thanks for your good thoughts, Phyllis

[bisan]

Don't force your self to exercise,Just walk but not for a long distance,cause your muscles are still weak from Vit DD.
You should wait at least 3 to 4 months,Then you're going to see the big changes.
Please don't think about MS,It's really just vitamin DD,I know it's hard at the beggining to belive that vit DD could do that but after several months you're going to be fine and your walk will improve.

I'm hoping you start to feel better soon.

[Phyllis2010]

Again, you've clarified things for me...When I have a good day, I do force myself then wonder what's wrong -- MS, spinal stenosis, a dire neurologic problem -- when a bad day follows. It is hard to believe this could all be caused by a vitamin DD (and secondary hyperparathyroidism) but both you and the endocrinologist tell me it can and I hope you're right. (I see the Neuro tomorrow). I'm impatient and I've been inactive for 3 months, so I tend to push myself...It's good to hear there's light at the end of this tunnel, but I want the big changes NOW. I guess your muscles can't gain strength until the deficiency improves, it makes sense.

Thanks

[gadgetsmidnight]

I am like you.  When I have a good day I want to work in the garden, clean the house, or even try to go to my place of employment.  Invariably, the next day, my walking/balance is off.  Sometimes worse than others.  We have found that it is better than before.  I try light exercise (walking, exercise bike, or the Wii) on my good days.  I have gained a whole bunch of weight over the last year while trying to figure out what was going on and need to keep exercising.

Let us know how changing to the daily D3 helps.

[Phyllis2010]

We have the exact same walking problems -- that's what happens to me my walking/balance is really off following exertion. In fact, after I walk a long distance on a good day toward the end of the walk my walking gets bad again.  I'm trying to figure out if it's the DD or other issues (pinched nerve, damaged muscle, spinal stenosis, brain) so hearing from you helps immensely in that I'd hate to have back surgery only to find out DD was the cause of my problem. I know I tend to get very carried away on my good days and try to cram everything in. Unlike you, I've lost weight not gained it but want to keep exercising to keep up my cardiovascular function and appetitie.

I'll definitely keep everyone posted on how the daily D3 works out -- I'm trying to dose it at 5400 IUs daily but will cut back to 3000 IUs if I have side effects.I'm starting balance/walking therapy at the Rusk Institute on Monday and will let you know what they advice.