Hi Jenn, I think it's the other way around, one needs Vit.D to absorb calcium. For all those on steroids, both calcium and Vit.D are important. Preds deteriorate the bones and one is always at risk of osteoporosis, I already have it, so I take calci

[Guest guest]

Hi Jenn, I think it's the other way around, one needs Vit.D to absorb calcium. For all those on steroids, both calcium and Vit.D are important. Preds deteriorate the bones and one is always at risk of osteoporosis, I already have it, so I take calcium supplements.

Again mostly due to preds, my immune system is knackered so I boost it with Vit.D and in my case it has helped immensely.

Usually when being prescribed calcium & vit.D by the local shaman only contains a trace of vit.D, just enough to assist in the absorption of calcium. The normal dose included is only about 3 micrograms but the common starting dose of vit.D is 25micrograms or 1,000 IU. Many people take dose much higher than this depending on their own state of immunity or lack of.

I normally purchase my vit.D in 100 tabs of 25mcg from Holland & Barrett, they are inexpensive when considered against health benefits but, sorry Jenn, I have just checked and these too contain gelatin!

Maybe some of us should write to Holland & Barrett and remind them that as a health food store, their ingredients should be chosen with more care and consideration?

Anyway, I hope this info helps.

Take care.

Cheers from Mike (Chip) Chapman

Author of, A Fly on the Ward

http://bit.ly/KLXYO6

To: "asthma " <asthma > Sent: Thursday, 19 July 2012, 22:35Subject: Re: Jenn Vit.D

I didn't get the vit D on prescription in the end, as the one I've been prescribed is about £1 cheaper OTC. It's something we sell at work, but at the moment it's only available there in a gel capsule which contains gelatine, and I don't eat beef. They are launching a new vitamins only branch soon, so hopefully I can get it then, as I get a good staff discount.

The ones I have have calcium in them too - I think, if I remember rightly, you need the calcium to help you absorb the vit D. I don't eat much dairy, so possibly am low in calcium too

Jenn

Tha can tek t'lass outta Yorkshire...!

Don't brand me, don't classify me, don't tell me what to wear. I'll be who I want to be, and I'm proud to be me.

To: "asthma " <asthma > Sent: Wednesday, 18 July 2012, 9:05Subject: Re: Jenn Vit.D

Hi Jenn, in recent years there has been much research into respiratory & immune deficiencies being treated by vitamin D (D3). Many more senior doctors are using Vit.D3 to combat both a suppressed immune system which can result from steroid treatment and allergy conditions.

My immune system left home some years ago and I was catching chest infections by the dozen, often having pneumonia every month! I was put on a treatment of Vivglobulin, an immune system booster containing the antibody group IgG's which deal with all the allergy & asthma nasties. This treatment involved me inserting 3 needles and 3 pumps into my stomach every week. Not nice and it took a whole morning because each pump requires an hour to administer the dose.

However present info states that this form of treatment is not as safe as one would expect, so I stopped and on advice from a leading medical professional, I swapped to a daily dose of Vit.D. This has worked hundred times better than the other immune system boosting treatments. My health has improved, I only get pneumonia 2 or 3 times a year now and my IgG and IgE levels have climbed back to normal.

So Vit.D is no longer just a vitamin supplement, it is now a recognised form of treatment. In the UK, the NHS does not supply Vit.D in enough strength, by most health shops sell it and Holland & Barrett is a good provider.

OK, hope this helps?

Cheers from Mike (Chip) Chapman

Author of, A Fly on the Ward

http://bit.ly/KLXYO6

To: asthma Sent: Wednesday, 18 July 2012, 0:08Subject: RE: Review yesterday

Google Vit D3 & Asthma. There is a wealth of information about how helpful it is.

Leonie.

From: asthma [mailto:asthma ] On Behalf Of A HillSent: Wednesday, 18 July 2012 6:26 AMTo: asthma Subject: Re: Review yesterday

Yes, after a rheumatologist appointment in March. I have a lot of joint problems, and the result was a vit D deficiency. I still think there's something else at play, but I may as well try them for now. It's hardly surprising I'm deficient in Vit D, though, given the distinct lack of sun this 'summer', and then when we do see a bit of sun, I have to plaster the sun tan lotion on - I have very British skin, pale, pasty, lots of moles and freckles, and go red even at the mention of the word sun

Jenn

Tha can tek t'lass outta Yorkshire...!

Don't brand me, don't classify me, don't tell me what to wear. I'll be who I want to be, and I'm proud to be me.

To: asthma Sent: Tuesday, 17 July 2012, 0:11Subject: RE: Review yesterday

I take Vit D3. Were you prescribed D3?

Leonie.

From: asthma [mailto:asthma ] On Behalf Of A HillSent: Wednesday, 11 July 2012 6:59 AMTo: asthma Subject: Review yesterday

I had a review yesterday, as there was a note on my last prescription saying I HAD to see a doctor to get another repeat. Everything was fine, my peak flow is in my yellow zone, but as I've not really had any asthma symptoms, we put it down to me having a nasty cough last week, and still getting over it - the doctor told me the reading of 450 was reasonable, but then looked at my previous records, where I average 500, with 540 my best ever.

So. With my PF in the yellow zone, I decided that it's *clearly* a good idea to start the NHS's couch to 5K plan, a series of podcasts to get you from being a couch potato to being able to run 5K in 9 weeks. I live in a rather hilly town, high up (which is great when we're having so much rain as I don't have to worry about flooding but not so great for running!), so my first run coincided with a steep uphill, and made me regret not taking my salbutamol before I set off, but I was fine downhill. My lungs did feel more 'open' when i got home, and it's also helped me to

cough up a lot of the mucus still caught in my lungs, so wish me luck! I have a desk job, and hate being sat down, as I'm quite an active person, and my asthma has got worse working there.

I also got prescribed vit D yesterday for my joint problems - am I right in thinking someone has said it helps asthma too? We sell it at work, but unfortunately at the moment it's only in capules which contain gelatine, and I don't eat cow, so looks like I'll have to pay NHS prescription charges rather than get it with 25% staff discount

Jenn

Tha can tek t'lass outta Yorkshire...!

Don't brand me, don't classify me, don't tell me what to wear. I'll be who I want to be, and I'm proud to be me.