My neuro and I just had this discussion in July after a massive attack sent me for a stay in the hospital. They had never mentioned it before this attack but in the hospital they ran my levels and it was at 18, which they said was very low and does have a connection to MS. I have now started vit D at 5000 IU a day.

http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/articles/061219/19msvitamind.htm

http://news.health.com/2009/02/05/vitamin-d-linked-multiple-sclerosis/

http://www.emaxhealth.com/1035/83/29145/vitamin-d-deficiency-ms-what-genetic-link-means.html

Mine is at 4! Almost nonexistent.

Did they suggest Vitamin D for you also? I meant 8 for my levels, having issues coordinating my hands vs what I am acutally trying to type today. Up until July I had never had the connections, or maybe connection mentioned to me but I have looked around and seems to be a something there.

I haven't heard from my Dr since my results came in. I am wondering if this could be causing or impacting the vertigo I have. Did anyone feel better immediately after taking Vitamin D supplements?

There is a connection. Almost every last one of us with MS have Vitamin D shortage. My Dr. prescribed my Vitamin D the same day he got the results and called me and told me there was a prescription for me to pick up and start ASAP. You should call the Dr.office Tuesday and see what he says. Best of Luck!

I have PPMS & also was dx'ed as vitamin D deficient.

Two years ago my legs gave out every time I tried to stand and transfer. I asked my neuro to test my vitamin D and it was 13. Normal is over 30. I was put on the booster dose and I felt a big improvement. The same thing has happened 3 times since and I get on the 50,000 units for 1-2 months. I improve but the biggest improvement was when I took it when Vit D was the lowest the first time. Vitamin D helps a lot . I take 2000 units a day. Some people take more.

I started researching it and found at least two medical journal articles that say an exacerbation can be caused by low levels of vitamin D. I get it checked at least once a year.

Some scientists think the reason may have something to do with vitamin D, which the human body produces naturally when the skin is exposed to sunlight. People who live closer to the equator are exposed to greater amounts of sunlight year-round. As a result, they tend to have higher levels of naturally-produced vitamin D, which is thought to have a beneficial impact on immune function and may help protect against autoimmune diseases like MS. The possible relationship between MS and sunlight exposure is currently being looked at in a National MS Society-funded epidemiological study in Australia.

Thanks for the input I will call my Dr first thing tuesday morning.

I was taking quite a bit of Vitamin D3 and it worried my doctor that I may have been a little overboard. I've calmed it down to 10,000 IU per day. I too have read that MS'ers are basically deficient of the D in the first place. My doc tested my level because I was taking about 50,000 IU per day at one point. Too much can build up from what I understand. So, I'm continuing with my 10,000 and I'll get another test at some point.

It's important for people with MS to take Vitamin D. I am taking 7,000 IU right now, I was at 10,000 after I was treated for CCSVI and will probably go to 5,000 and stay there. I have never had my vitamin D levels done but found out early in my disease that it is important and helps with MS.

i don't have a diagnosis yet but my doctor has me on 10,000iu a day..i still don't feel the difference..but he told me it will cause less flare ups....i also live in the cloudiest place in the u.s..and also the highest rate of ms..i wonder..???

When I was tested 2 years ago for my vit. D level, it was 16. My regular doctor tested again 6 weeks ago and it was 31, which is a huge difference, but still low. So, she has me on 50,000 units of D once each week for 12 weeks and will be tested again. I have read that low D causes all kinds of health problems, including cancer, which I have survived. So, it is important for all adults to have their D level and B levels checked. My B levels are good. I think it should be part of our annual physicals or you could just ask your doctor.

ramble on and be as silly as ya want....please. yes, vit d def is common in MS, i take two 1000 mg tabs /day. don't take it w/calcium cause it really make your bowels mad, and they won't poop for you. i have a prob w/that cause of my pain meds. and it makes me feel even worse...toxic stuff ya know. take care and ramble on dear, we need that here too!! leslie joan in idaho

My neuro has me on 5000iu every day,I have been told must be vitd3 not d2,isnt ok to have too much vitd2 their is a difference apparently.
I would ask your neuro especially if he or she is a ms specialist some are mine is otherwise I dont think they are very clued up on the latest,