Was wondering if anyone knew how much vitamin D3 should be taken on a daily basis, or if it shouldn't be taken on a daily basis? I also wanted to give you an update on the status of my pain. I went to a Rheumatologist and she tested me for RA, Lupus, and any other auto-immune disease. They all came back negative! I also had an MRI done on my lower spine and it looks like I have lumbar spondylosis and a mild disc bulge. The doctor that was treating me for pain suggested that I get a steroid epidural. What are your thoughts on this? I really don't want to just bandaid my pain, I want to get rid of it! Any suggestions? Thanks for your help!
I have lupus and my vit d is always low I take a prescription dose once a week. I would see if the doctor did it in the blood work they drew most of the time they do. I have not had a epidural for pain but many on the site say they have helped.
FibroFrenzy, I take 1,000 units a day, as prescribed by my doctor. But first, i was on some huge dose for a month, to bring my Vitamin D3 level back up. That was from a psychiatrist I saw at a pain clinic. Can you ask your doctor about a dose that's right for you? Crynsugar is right, you'd need to have blood work done to see how depleted you are, and how much you'd need.
Congratulations on not having any of those ugly auto-immune diseases! That is GOOD news for you!
I had the steroid epidural in the back for almost the same thing. In my case, it didn't help but every single case is different. For instance, I DO get relief in my knee joints from cortisone shots for my osteo-arthritis, so it can even differ in where you get the shot. I personally think it's worth a try (I actually tried it 3 or 4 times in the back) because nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Not to scare you but I also tested negative for auto immune diseases by my family doctor and she said it was fibromyalgia and treated me for that but I continued to get worse and worse and she referred me to a rheumatologist and he diagnosed me with rheumatoid arthritis. He said it is very common to have RA and test negative. The way he explained it was "its like going to the park and you see a duck feather, see a duck egg, see duck poop, hear a duck quack but don't see the duck. you know the duck is there." I have every other sign, symptom,etc. just not the positive test result. After talking to him and starting treatment, i know this is what i've had for years but no one diagnosed.
i am also severely vitamin d deficient and I take 2000 units daily along with Caltrate that is calcium and 600 units of vitamin D. I have low thyroid which causes calcium issues which causes issues with vitamin D. you need blood work to know for sure what to take and how much. My doctor is very very specific on what vitamins to take or not take.