As with any supplement, do consult the doc before anything else. My experiences speak.
kmn said:
Wow, that is really interesting. I am in the process of being diagnosed, the integrative doctor I see tested my vitamin d levels which were basically non-existant. I have not been consistent taking all of the supplements she has me on since I also started to have digestive issues. My rheumy has never tested or said anything about vitamin D deficiency. I am going to get back on my supplements and see if I have any relief. Is Dovenex a prescription or can you buy it over the counter at whole foods, I may try it on my knuckles and feet.
They checked my vit D level with a blood test. My Rheumy decided to check it out as soon as he had a diagnosis and found out it was low. He wrote the prescription for 50,000 units once a week from the start and checked it again the next month and it was fine. The following month it was low again, so he decided to keep me on it permanently. No, 50,000 units is the maximum I have gotten, or have I ever heard of anyone getting. Remember that the excess accumulates in your body doing more harm than good.
Low D-vitamin weakens the bones and joints. The dark spot may be the fusion of the two bones for a lack of joint. Funny, but my right thumb has lost the joint, too. The x-ray showed like a blurry whitish circumference where the joint was. The doc said it was blurry because of the amount of inflammation. Now, the joint has fused (stiff) giving me no movement. I told the doc this week that the thumb started to cramp for no reason (watching TV), and he suggested to use the Voltaren Gel (Diclofenac Sodium topical gel--Rx only), potent stuff--can only use one inch of the gel on your body in a 12 hour span, which is not much. (the prescrption comes with a plastic mini measuring ruler) It is the best local pain reliever I have gotten, and it works!
I know, I already asked the doc if I can connect the Voltaren Gel to the shower head for my Fibromyalgia, but he grinned as a loud "NO!" jumped out of his mouth. Hey, not because I didn't try♪...
Debi said:
I had my thumb joint replaced in my right hand but they said they couldn't fix my left because I had a cyst in the bone so no bone there, showed up as a dark spot on the xray don't know if that is from Vit D troubles. How long tll your level was up and did you get over 50?
Gelita said:
My Rheumy was involved in research for this, ran some tests and I was dangerously low. He placed me on the same dose as you, and I was doing better. I am still on it. I believe he mentioned that there is a correlation between joint damage and VitD defiency.
This is one amazing discussion. The minute I found out I had low vit D levels, just after being dx w/ PSA, i went digging on the Web. Turns out that low Vit D is linked to PSA and a multitude of other ails. I brought this up to my Rheumy & GP, however, it appeared they may not be in the loop with this in Australia. Very disappointing. I am catching some sun daily, now that we are in Spring and keeping on top of the Vit D with regular blood tests and tablets. I wonder how we could bring this to the attention of health professionals?
What I do is get a second opinion and tell the doc the second opinion doctor's finding--vit D? which I had deliberately approached at this second opinion docs consult. It hits the docs ego to inquire about it.