I finally had my Vitamin D level checked and to my surprise, I am severely deficient in Vitamin D. The reference range for Vitamin D in the body is 32 – 100. Hell, my range was a 9, I was damn near depleted of Vitamin D.
A cousin of mine who is in the health nutrition industry brought the importance of Vitamin D in our system and the importance of African Americans to have their level check to my attention about a year ago. The reason being African Americans do not absorb the sun natural resource of vitamin D. She also mentioned, a lot of the pain I experience could not only be from multiple sclerosis, but also from the lack of Vitamin D.
My MS rollercoaster has been taking me for a ride. It was time to find out if there was something to this Vitamin D after reading about it. I did not have nothing to lose if I had to take another pill and if taking pills for Vitamin would help my cause living life with MS. I was all for it.
When my results came in, my doctor immediately but me on 50,000 ui of vitamin D a week, I thought I was going to have to take a handful of pills to get that much vitamin D a week. Fortunately, our good ole pharmaceutical companies make a 50,000 capsule and I take one a week.
It has been four weeks now and I have to admit I feel a lot better. I am experiencing moderate instead of severe pain now. That severe anxiety I experienced that damn near drove me insane has disappeared. Cymbalta helps, but I notice a tremendous difference since I have been taking vitamin D.
Although it is wise for African Americans to get their Vitamin D checked, I would suggest everyone who have health problems to have their Vitamin D checked. The medical community is doing more research about the harm of having a vitamin D deficiency. Instead of trying to blog about the different ways a lack of vitamin D can effect your life…check it out in your spare time on the provided links below.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin D and Mental Illness
Why Vitamin D May Be A Hidden Epidemic
Vitamin D May Prevent Multiple Sclerosis
4 comments:
Oh, I tell everyone I know in Seattle to get their D checked; I wondered if African Americans were more at risk, now I can let my AA friends know. (one has MS too, one--Lupus) When I went on the 50,000 dose I ended up in the ICU for 4 days---was taken off, so it is not good very everyone at that high dose, but at my new home I get LOTS of sun! (Even for Seattle) PS--I don't know why I am showing up on your counter as Federal Way...that is a town near Seattle...hmmm ANYHOO, glad it is helping.
Diane,
Everything I been reading suggested people of darker skin are more at risk.
I was apprehensive about taking 50,000 ui of Vitamin D; you have me a little worried. If the body can act strange with too little Vitamin D, I guess it could go haywire with too much. Hopefully, the specialist I will be seeing next week will monitor my level, if he doesn't I will make sure they check often.
The last think I need or want is to see the inside of an emergency room...the worst place in the world (Imagine Keith Oberman saying it when he give his worst person in the world award)
lol :)
When I was first diagnosed I read up on all of that. But as time went on and I had other concerns, I completely forgot about it's importance. Thanks for the reminder. I'm sure I'm not even on the chart. At least you were a 9. My sheet might be blank!! Thanks!
Hi Blinders Off,
Thanks for the vitamin D information.
Love,
Herrad
Post a Comment