Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/
I can't say it enough. Take a look at this site on all the research done on Vit D and how crucial it is... and how to be certain you get enough!
I can't say it enough. Take a look at this site on all the research done on Vit D and how crucial it is... and how to be certain you get enough!
Here... I'll copy paste the front page of the site, but it has a ton of info and articles. Also, if you want to you can subscribe to their newsletter which is an occasional email.
Here's the paste:
Caucasian skin produces approximately 10,000 IU vitamin D in response to 2030 minutes summer sun exposure50 times more than the US government's recommendation of 200 IU per day!
This high rate of natural production of vitamin D3 cholecalciferol (pronounced kohluhkalsifuhrawl) in the skin is the single most important fact every person should know about vitamin Da fact that has profound implications for the natural human condition.
Technically not a "vitamin," vitamin D is in a class by itself. Its metabolic product, calcitriol, is actually a secosteroid hormone that is the key that unlocks binding sites on the human genome. The human genome contains more than 2,700 binding sites for calcitriol; those binding sites are near genes involved in virtually every known major disease of humans.
Current research has implicated vitamin D deficiency as a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease, and more.
Vitamin D's influence on key biological functions vital to one's health and well-being mandates that vitamin D no longer be ignored by the health care industry nor by individuals striving to achieve and maintain a greater state of health.
If well adults and adolescents regularly avoid sunlight exposure, research indicates a necessity to supplement with at least 5,000 units (IU) of vitamin D daily. To obtain this amount from milk one would need to consume 50 glasses. With a multivitamin more than 10 tablets would be necessary. Neither is advisable.
How To Get Enough Vitamin DThere are 3 ways for adults to ensure adequate levels of vitamin D:
regularly receive midday sun exposure in the late spring, summer, and early fall, exposing as much of the skin as possible for 2030 minutes (being careful to never burn). (Those with dark skin will need longer exposure time up to six times longer.)
regularly use a sun bed (avoiding sunburn) during the colder months.
take 5,000 IU per day for 23 months, then obtain a 25-hydroxyvitamin D test. Adjust your dosage so that blood levels are between 5080 ng/mL (or 125200 nM/L) year-round.
Vitamin D's Co-factorsVitamin D has co-factors that the body needs in order to utilize vitamin D properly. They are:
magnesium
zinc
vitamin K2
boron
a tiny amount of vitamin A
Magnesium is the most important of these co-factors. In fact, it is common for rising vitamin D levels to exacerbate an underlying magnesium deficiency. If one is having problems supplementing with vitamin D, a magnesium deficiency could be the reason why.
Read more about vitamin D's co-factors.
i did buy D3(1k) got a sale but 1get 1 so i will see if Doc will get me a script! & make sure itis D3
i take caluim-1kmg w/mag400mg & zinc15mg & eat lots of veggie & fruit
i need to get outside during day=sometimes i don't go outside for 2-5
i also take Q10-50mg,flaxseed-1kmg,fish oil-1760mg,l-lysine-500mg & Acidophilus w/bifiudus-90/25mg
i haven't been taking them reg was tryin to get clear from all the posien womder drugs the Doc have experimented on me! lol
i will be taking my suppliments 3xady! got a weekly orgnizer 1 for meds & 1 for supplements! That way i won't forget or take to many!
RANDY_RABBIT= got it right! If the Docs will lets 'US" know! i kinda had that thought w/doc this week he doesn't want me to have surgery but also ? PT that thinks i could have less pain/no need for Doc every month for MEDS?PILLS! If i wear a spinal custom body brace for scoleious! So may have to get Primary DOC more involed then just insurance ruelet to other DOCS!
Thnzx for this info still might add some of the other supplement that D3 needs to work correctly! Iam also thinking about getting the light for depression for winter/cabin fever time anybody out there=got one???
Another important piece of info is that most of us do not need to take a calcium supp. Here in the US, most people consume enough dairy products to MORE than supplement our calcium. It's the lack of vitamin D3 that can prevent the absorption of calcium. Calcium supps can actually do more harm than good. Calcium in it's natural form (dairy, dark green leafy vegs, etc) is much better for the body.
I also concur about the magnesium. It helps us fibro's with the oxygen exchange in the muscle tissue. I was told that the magnesium aspartate (not asporotate) that is the most bio available form of magnesium.
I'm glad you posted this Narey!
It's hard to get a good balanced diet when you live alone.
I'll let you know the developments as they occur.
Mizroze
Mizroze, hope it really helps you! How much are you taking? (I was where you were in Feb, too!)
http://www.webmd.com/fda/fda-101-dietary-supplements
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/vitamins-and-supplements-health-check/default.htm
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-929-VITAMIN%20D.aspx?activeIngredientId=929&activeIngredientName=VITAMIN%20D
scroll down to vitamins and supplements and more on vit. and minerals below that ...is some videos to watch.
http://www.webmd.com/fda/vitamins-and-supplements/default.htm
http://www.webmd.com/video/siris-male-osteoporosis
Be safe and make sure when using vits or herbal and any kind of supplements your doctor is aware of it.
take care everyone
gentle hugs
Also, this site quotes the recommended dose base on the FDA published amounts which has proven to be the bare minimums....NOT necessarily the true recommended dose.
I do agree with talking to your doc if you're taking lots of meds and want to take higher doses of vitamins or supps, but don't be surprised if your doc either doesn't have a clue or tries to deter you from beginning to take your health in your own hands.
Just as I scrutinize supplements from a site that's sole existence is to sell them to you, I also look deeper into medical sites that are heavily funded by pharmaceutical companies. Both kinds of sites may have very valuable info, but I would recommend visiting several sites when you're investigating any issues relating to our health.
If everyone REALLY investigated the meds we're prescribed, more people would be shocked and dismayed that the FDA ever approved them for human use!! I've heard so many people say, "well, those are just the RARE side effects", when in fact, they're talking about the common side effects.
I know what it's like to have so much pain that you'd take anything to make it go away. I started down that route for a short time when I first got this horrible illness. But most, if not all, of the meds that are being prescribed for those of us with fibro begin to have side effects that can be difficult to separate from the illness. So we take another med to help with what the first med is doing to us. It's a viscious cycle.
So far, I haven't seen one person on this site who has had any lasting symptom relief from meds. I HAVE, however, read many posts about lasting relief from other forms of therapy such as diet change, supplements, excercise, heat/cold treatment, massage, accupuncture etc.....
I'm not trying to be critical....just doing a reality check.
Narey....I know...it's not always easy to rock the boat! lol!
Mizroze.... I'd also check the D dose and make sure it's D3. Better yet, if you can get out and get some sun, that's even better. As for healthy diet while living alone.....I find it's easier because you have complete control over what comes into the house. I'm single and mostly eat "made from scratch" non processed foods. Sure, sometimes I reach for ice cream or Cheez-it crackers but I make that a treat, not a staple. I do admit that I have to go a little more frequently to the market in order to always have fresh produce on hand (or else, yes, it will rot in my fridge) but that's a small price to pay in order to feel better. Eating "real" food has reduced my pain along with taking some basic supplements.