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Vitamin D for Men w FM, ???

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Posted 11/19/2012 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, I am new to this forum for the FM. I was diagnosed about three years ago or so. I have had vitamin D deficiency a few times with returned blood work. My doctor put me on I believe a week or two of 50,000iu, then I proceeded to take D3 2000iu daily. I never made the connection to my FM until reading your thread in the FM 101. I have been on Cymbalta 60mg for a few years now for the FM, Allopurinol 300mg for the Gout, Metoprolol/HCTZ 100-25mg for Hypertension, Valium 10mg to prevent Muscle Spasms, Oxycodone 10mg for pain, & CPAP for OSA. Okay, I see they sell D3 5000iu. Is there one brand better than another for those of us with FM? Is it okay to take with my meds listed above? I rarely take the Oxycodone and basically use it as a back-up for Flare-ups with FM, Gout, etc. The Valium I have had to take more often lately though usually they get outdated and I discard them and get a fresh refill. The Cymbalta really helped me to avoid the narcotics though I was very nervous about the side affects. MY FM was so bad at times it felt like a 10 often, especially after doing light chores as its very difficult to do much anymore. My 10 is like this, I would feel like a Mack Truck ran me over, broke every bone in my body, and then a bystander came and picked me up off the road and shook me off like a beach towel and said, "okay, be on your way!". There are many times I can't hold a cup of coffee. I have a hard time figuring out what is ailing me now, the FM, Gout, or Rheumatoid Arthritis, or a few at once! My Osteoarthritis was attributed to my Cervical and Spinal Stenosis confirmed by MRI approx. 18 years ago. shakehead I'm not very old, guess age isn't a big factor! Sorry to get off subject. So with the D3 5000iu will my body just safely pass what it doesn't need? Appreciate any replies and information!
Posted 11/19/2012 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Tim!

I'm not going to be much help on the Vitamin D info, I just wanted to welcome you.

But I sure can relate to the wondering which one of your maladies is bothering you at any given time....

I'm sure lots of people will be along who can help you better on this topic.

Debbie
Posted 11/19/2012 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
I take 50,000 IU of D 2x a week to keep my levels up. I have to have regular blood tests to make sure everything is okay.

If you look at my signature you'll see my burdens.
Posted 11/19/2012 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Debbie, I appreciate the welcome. I look forward to learning more about my Fibro, I was blessed with a Doctor who was able to recognize the symptoms. I'll continue to go through the Posts and info. Glad I found this Forum!
Posted 11/19/2012 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Joy, Thank you for replying. After finishing my 50,000iu prescriptions my D level came up to good but I kept taking the 2000iu. After reading I believe it was one of the 101 links about the 5000iu I am hoping that will help with fatigue and energy. I'll be back tomorrow, I'm going to try and sleep as long as I can as tomorrow is a planned long day! I dread making plans! Good night!
Posted 11/19/2012 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Berean, and welcome!  I used to live in a town named Berea!  Loved it there.

 

Well, I take 5,500 IU of vitamin D3 a day.  I do have absorption problems so I need to do this.  I live in sunny Florida but still had a deficiency because I use suntan lotion when in the sun.  That blocks the vitamin D from the sun from being absorbed in your system.  So that, along with the absorption problem, has me taking more D.  These days it is being suggested that everyone should take 2,000 IU of D a day but be sure to talk to your doctor about this.  You do ask questions in your post that we can't know for sure.  We are not doctors so you should talk to your doctor or your pharmacist.  They can give you the correct answer to your questions about vitamin D.

 

I have a long list of ailments along with fibro.  Sometimes it can be confusing.  I do use ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, malic acid/magnesium supplements, vitamin D3 supplements, and a muscle relaxer called Robaxin to help with pain and fatigue.  I do have a form of rheumatoid arthritis so this combination has helped me a lot.  I didn't want to take Cymbalta, Lyrica, or Savella.  Just my choice even though my doctor suggested that.  I'm doing fine with the above.  I also walk daily.  That's a great gentle exercise for fibro.  Swimming and yoga are good, too.  I pace myself when doing things, also. 

 

What works for one with fibro doesn't necessarily work for another.  We have members on narcotics but when I tried them they didn't help me one iota!  I had level 10 pain like you do and could barely lift my feet due to nerve pain running down my legs and hip pain.  I needed two canes to walk and my strides were in inches.  This all happened this past winter.  But, I was put back on ibuprofen for the inflammation I was having from arthritis and then was given the Robaxin and, boy, that has made such a significant difference in my pain levels!  I still have pain but nothing like what I had last winter!  I still have problems with stairs but I don't have any in my home so that's not a huge problem.

 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

Posted 11/19/2012 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome berean ! This is a great forum to learn a wealth of information on your fibro. It really has help me. Vitamin D is great for us fibromites. I have to take a large dose to keep my levels up to. I live in a state where it's very common to have low vitamin D? The most important thing to do while taking vitamin D is getting the levels checked. I didn't know to do that and mine got 4 times the high and caused me a kidney stone. I learned the hard way.

Maybe you will be able to pick up some new ways to treat your flares. I learn so much here. Now I feel like I have good control of my fibro. Many of us have numerious health problem like you, so we do understand what your going through. Feel free to ask questions or if you just need that support. I am not a male, but I do know we have a few on the forum. Hopefully they will see your post.
Posted 11/20/2012 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for replies. I believe one or more of my meds say to avoid direct sunlight, been on so many over the years I'll have to go back and see which one(s). My Pharmacist wasn't familiar with the malic acid/magnesium supplement but doesn't think the magnesium will be any issue with my current Meds and D3 is okay, usually 2000iu. Just had my doctor add the D to my current blood work to see where levels are at. Hate to say it but as things have gotten worse I dread the "holidays". Traditionally for the most part I have always cooked our Thanksgiving dinner, this year we have a special guest and the pressure is on, worried about how it will go and if I'm up to it as each day is unpredictable. I didn't post yesterday as we were shopping for the dinner. Eventually the last two stops I just waited in the Van. The good news is I am learning to cheat, buying things needed that are already prepared! Saves time and nothing the right seasoning can't help! Hope all is going as good as possible with everyone! Again, I appreciate this Forum and replies! Learned a lot already!!!
Posted 11/20/2012 5:53 PM (GMT 0)

ak angel said...
Welcome berean ! This is a great forum to learn a wealth of information on your fibro. It really has help me. Vitamin D is great for us fibromites. I have to take a large dose to keep my levels up to. I live in a state where it's very common to have low vitamin D? The most important thing to do while taking vitamin D is getting the levels checked. I didn't know to do that and mine got 4 times the high and caused me a kidney stone. I learned the hard way.

Maybe you will be able to pick up some new ways to treat your flares. I learn so much here. Now I feel like I have good control of my fibro. Many of us have numerious health problem like you, so we do understand what your going through. Feel free to ask questions or if you just need that support. I am not a male, but I do know we have a few on the forum. Hopefully they will see your post.


One problem I have is two co-pays. One for the Doctor and one for the Lab = 50.00 a trip! How often do you have to check your D levels? Sometimes I can just make a call and ask my Doctor to call in the the Blood work so its only one co-pay. I like my Doctor, he has been able to sort things out and treat me or refer me accordingly.
Posted 11/21/2012 6:59 AM (GMT 0)
Berean- I get my Vitamin D checked twice a year. They are usually around $80 or so without insurance in my state. If you take high dosages it's important to keep up with levels. I hope your turkey turns out well. Here starts the busy season!!!! Hang on! LOL
Posted 11/21/2012 2:56 PM (GMT 0)

ak angel said...
Berean- I get my Vitamin D checked twice a year. They are usually around $80 or so without insurance in my state. If you take high dosages it's important to keep up with levels. I hope your turkey turns out well. Here starts the busy season!!!! Hang on! LOL


Okay, Thank you, appreciate the reply! I started the 5000iu dosage as its been a while since I ran out of my 2000's. I used to take 2-3 them a day if I remember right after the initial prescription of 50,000iu from my Doctor. My level came back good then but wasn't near the high mark, somewhere in the middle of what they considered normal. To many numbers to remember right now! lol. My Doctor called in the requisite for me to the Lab so one less co-pay, I'm going to try and make it there today, might have results Friday if anyones open!
Posted 11/21/2012 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Berean. Welcome. You probably know that us guys are in the minority when it comes to Fibromyalgia, right ? Guess we are just a couple of the lucky ones, huh ? ;)

I've actually been wondering about vit D lately myself. Reason being, they say that vit D is synthesized with the help of exposure to sunlight. Well, Lord knows I get plenty of sunlight in the Summer months... probably more than I should. But once Winter gets here I get WAAAY less sun, hence the reason I change from reddish brown, to some funky shade of pale pink shocked

Anybody know of an easier way to find out ones D levels, other than a full blown blood test ???

I haven't been to the Dr's office in nearly 2 years. Really don't want to go there now, just for this. Not to mention, this would require 2 Dr. visits for me... 1 to my reg Dr. for a referral, and the second for the lab visit......

Hmmmm....

Peace,

Fish

 

Posted 11/21/2012 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
I never made the D deficiency connection until I found this forum. My Doctor probably knew with all my other symptoms. I have noticed we are the minority, as long as its just a medical statistical thing I don't believe we'll get voted out! lol
Nice group, glad I found it! Seems important though to have our D levels checked. Also good information to have as it could explain why are feeling more fatigued at times. I guess the trick is keeping them in the "good" zone with as few Doctor visits as possible. It usually is two for me also. I just learned I may be entitled to one free office visit per year for a physical where they can order my blood work then. Hope everyone is as well as can be as we face a long busy weekend!
Posted 11/23/2012 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
I live in Alaska and they say a large amount of people are low in vitamin D. It has to do with the daylight and sunlight. We have one of the largest depression rate here also. If you go to ER with pain or depression, they always check your vitamin D.

Fishchris- you don't have to see a dr. to get your vitamin D checked. You can go to a lab place in your town. Some have specials like chemistry, sugar, cholesterol , vitamin D and etc. They will draw your blood and send the result to you. You can find them on line. I just put in Labs in my town and specials they might have going on. You might be surprise on how cheap some are compared to your Dr's office. I call around and some could be a $20 difference in cost.
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