Calcium and Vit D

[Guest guest]

Hi guys,

It amazes me that so many of us have Vit D insuffiency when Vit D is supposed to be a problem-- but one of facts is that we don't get enough Vit D--- at least the one we need.

Vit D cannot be processed by the body until we get out in the sunlight-- it is that little component that turns on the V-D absorbtion. Now, the second part of that is that we can assimilate Vit D without calcium.-- So you have to both.

What I"ve found is that if I take a GOOD Calcium/magnesium combo, and get a FEW-- 10 min is all that is needed, of sunlight daily-- my V- D level is fine.

For so many of us, we have lost the calcium from our bones because of the prednisone, and without enough replacement, then our bodies go into panic and think that we're going to starve it of this mineral. So, it leaches the calcium from our bones and puts it where it doesn't belong. (liver, kidneys, joints, ligaments, gallbladder) and guess what-- without the proper calcium level-- you hurt!!!

What is interesting is that the granulomas are partly calcium! I know that when I have to take pred for even a couple of days, that I get the "inside" the bone pain immediately-- my body is now saying no more--- stop leaching my bones-- and it tells me by sending my pain levels through the roof! If I go in and take a couple of Calcium/magnesium tablets (another MUST HAVE COMBO to be able to synergize the calcium)-- I'll be relieved of the pain very quickly.

The other component is that Plaquenil-- Hydroxychloroquine (quinine) is very helpful for that bone pain. Quinine was used for scurvy-- Vit C defiency. Vit C is also a necessary component of Calcium assimilation.

So, if we are not getting enough Vit C, enough Calcium (or are taking pred where the calcium is being leached from the bones) and our bodies response is one of "starvation" mode-- hmmm, I'm not getting enough of these vit and minerals-- so I'll stock pile these important nutrients so that I'm not going without (via granulomas in our lungs, etc) then it makes sense to me that when we get the levels up to standards-- by diet and mineral supplementation-- then our pain levels will go down.

Now-- think about this-- Vit C is a natural anti-inflammatory. Calcium is a natural muscle relaxant. Vit D is absolutely necessary for stopping depression, as is the sunlight necessary to get our bodies to absorb the D the way we should.

I've been experimenting on myself-- and by adding addl Vit C to my diet and Cal/Mag-- I'm in alot less pain. If I go without these vitamins and minerals-- then I pay for it. I also use the MSM powder religiously, and even with the advanced sarcoidoisis- I'm not in tremendous pain. I'm not breathing worth shit, but that is because of the severe scarring in my lungs.

How much of our pain is being caused by Vit and mineral defiencies, -- I suspect alot of it is. So for me, by getting a small amount of control back over my diet-- has meant that I'm more comfortable.

It'd be interesting, for all of us to take a serious inventory of our diets, and if we aren't getting the vitamins and minerals ( a diet journal would be good to do) and see if you are eating healthy, and then make some changes-- and see what happens. We may not be able to stop all the problems, but if we can be in less pain-- that would be a good thing!

Share your insights,

Tracie

NS Co-owner/moderator