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shellos8 06/16/2011

I haven't been to health food store yet but I did stop by Rite Aid today on my lunch break and was only able to find D3 with 1000 or 2000IU. I read studies that for people with MS you must take at least 14,000IU a day to have any affect.

Is there a higher IU available? Taking 7 or 8 of these a day doesn't sound like much fun. And if I do have to take 7 or the 2000IU per day do they all need to be taken at the same time?

Oh, and does it have to be D3? Is that different than regular Vitamin D?

***I posted this over sat MSWorld too but haven't got any responses yet. They like to move my posts to a more "appropriate" forum but it's not as active as the one I wanted it in***

deleted_user 06/16/2011

sorry no one replied. I am not sure of the answer, but thought I would reply. I guess you could ask your dr?? where is msworld?

hmmmingbird 06/16/2011

My blood work showed 14.9 level of Vitamin D. 30 - 100 is normal range. I took 1000 mg D3 daily along with 600 mg calcium (something about aiding apsorption) and in two months it was up to 43.

My sister (not an MSer) had low Vitamin D, she took 2800 units a day for a year and her number barely moved. So everyone is different.

I'd get your level tested first to see if you need it, and if so, how much.

shellos8 06/16/2011

I've only seen my neuro once and so far he hasn't ordered any further testing besides an MRI w/contrast. The first MRI ordered by my PCP was w/out contrast. Plus he wants to do my spine this time as the first one was only the brain.

My next appt. with him isn't until 7/25. He said I would get a phone call though when he gets the results from the MRI which is scheduled for Mon. morning. I guess I can ask about it then. Is that standard procedure to have vitamin D levels tested? He never mentioned anything about vitamin D when I saw him a few weeks ago....

shellos8 06/16/2011

Bobbijo....msworld is here:

http://www.msworld.org/forum/index.php

There's a lot of info there and I still post there a little bit but it's heavily moderated and I don't care for that. I like it here much better :)

chicagogrl 06/16/2011

Hi shellos8, you should not start taking vitamin D until you've had your vitamin D level tested. Most people, especially those with MS are deficient in vitamin D, however, if you take too much vitamin D, you can experience some bad side effects. including toxicity. Vitamin D can also interfere with some prescription medications.

Unfortunately, Dr.'s generally won't discuss ways for you to help yourself outside of prescription medications.

Like most MS issues, the vitamin D issue is different for everyone. There is not one standard amount that works for everyone. If your neuro won't help, talk to your PCP about it.

Best wishes!

deleted_user 06/16/2011

I buy my D3 at Life extention. They are 5000 iu. i take one or two a day.
All the best to you.

shellos8 06/16/2011

Thank you all. I will wait to talk to my doctor about testing my Vitamin D level before I start taking any.

jdmassey 06/16/2011

Hi

My doctor wrote me a prescription for 50,000 units to get my vitamin D levels up. Might want to call your doctor.

Hope you do well.

Juanita

CASMIRA 06/17/2011

make sure your neuro is proactive.. that is the first thing I would advise second ask him for a vitamin panel...they will catch all insufficient minerals in the blood there...someone on here suggested it to me last year and it saved my life...my vit D was 13 and classified as critically low....I take D3 1000 - 2000 i u but don't take it everyday....I do three times a week and my doc was fine with that....most important before you add something to your regimine consult the doc first and trust your intuition. good luck oh and 14,000 iu sounds kind of high

deleted_user 06/17/2011

hi!! well let me tell you!! i take right at 14,000 a day every day- have not checked blood- ins- mine wont cover that test- but it hasnt hurt me yet -doin it for 2 years, oh it made me stronger at first, its the d3 with calcium cause if your low on calcium it can take it from your bones- thats what i have heard- it has to be d3 the other- cant remember -a bunch of us on a site started this mega dose- well if you get a headache .... side effects are low- so i swear by this - a few very few people it didnt help- oh lol i might add i do not sell it!! ya get it at cvs-they said not at wal-mart= must be a weaker ??? lol hugs!! tickey

deleted_user 06/18/2011

at one my vitamin D level dangerously low and I had issues with the high dose doc prescribed me. My neuro told me 5000iu a day either supplement, food, or sunshine. The 1000 iu pills are small and sometimes seem to jump around as one gathers them up. Many with MS have a difficult time getting vitamin d via sunshine since the recommended time to absorb vitamin D is 11am to noon. I still can manage this as long as it is not too humid. Only now have very little area to get good sunlight at new place. My neuro seems to be really pushing vitamin D.

shondavoss 06/18/2011

Do has your doctor says, after your blood work he she shoud determine how much you should take. Don't go fishing on your own, my doc told me just to take 2000 so two daily. I went out and shopped for vitamins and got myself sick. Now I just take one a day. Vitamin D. Plus biotin 5000 because I need it lol. I am a vitamin junky lol we not getting any younger so I went all out

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