Rheumatologist visit - good news - Vitamin D levels

By ejoyce
Posted November 24, 2008 at 5:59 pm · 2 replies
In Finding a healthcare provider
Edited November 29, 2008 at 4:16 pm

I had my first visit with a Rheumatologist a week ago. I had been referred by my GYN after having a bad reaction to monthly Actonel after the first dose.

I was pleased with the thoroughness of the exam, questions and discussion. The visit was about 1-1/2 with a full hour with the doctor. He suggested that my bad reaction to bisphosphanate may be due to low Vitamin D level, and ordered bloodwork to test for that, parathyroid and others. The bloodwork came back all in the normal range with the exception of the vitamin D level. I will be taking a prescribed supplement for the next 4 months and retesting. In the meanwhile he "prescribed" taking Citracal with Bone Builder and vitamin D3 and daily exercise. This does give some hope that I can gain some bone density without taking the drugs.

So I thought it interesting that low vitamin D levels can cause pain from bisphosphanates, don't know if taking D3 afterwards can help with the pain, or if bringing up the vitamin D level would make it possible to take bisphosphanates in the future. But for now I am happy to try the route he has suggested.

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By huessysignoret
Posted November 25, 2008 at 6:48 am
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Everyone's different, of course, but here's my experience -- My vitamin D level, like that of 50% of American women, was low, so I was presecribed a hefty dose of Vitamin D. My D level zoomed right up to normal. But, with Fosamax, I still had the excruciating pain (which has subsided and is virtually gone after about a month off the drug.) Please let us know if the Vitamin D did indeed (how's that for alliteration?) protected you from pain or made it possible to take bisphosphanates. This is a new theory -- one I hadn't heard before. I hope it works for you!

Pam

By rt57413
Posted November 25, 2008 at 8:41 am
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My level was 11, very low and was given way too much RX Vit D 50,000 units a week after 8 weeks my level was 28 and 4 weeks later it was 68 which is great! The only think was I thought I was having a heart attack! Much too much Vit D. Heartburn was horrible. Now I take Jarrow Vit D3 1000 mg a day, no heart burn and my levels is 68. I don't take any drugs yet as I still have a period. I do also take Bone Up by Jarrow which I think is good plus it has Vit K. Those RX drugs scare me!

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