Re: vitamin d-reply

[Guest guest]

I am very interested in this subject. I find this odd, does anyone know why we

are not absorbing vitamin D. I have recently learned that my vitamin D levels

are not adequate. Despite taking multiple D containing supplements.

I have had a total pancreatectomy with autologous islet cell transplant due to

chronic pancreatitis. At the time of my surgery we were under the impression

that my pancreatitis was a result of congenital birth defects. I was under the

impression that my decreased levels were as a result of the area of my small

bowel that was removed during my surgery. But now, I am beginning to wonder if

some of my problems are related Sjogrens syndrome and PA.

I read another post regarding wearing black ( or any other dark color) and leg

shaving. I have suffered with horrid pain for years. Years I have tried to tell

my physician that my back pain was not all pancreatic pain. It is amazing what

we endure when we know something is wrong but can't get anyone to help or

listen.

I was started on sulfasalazine 2 weeks previous, as I can't take methotrexate I

have chronically elevated liver enzymes. I could not tolerate the sulfasalazine,

it made me terribly nauseous, and I just felt terrible when on it. Again, I have

chronic hepatitis from islet cell transplant (done to prevent very brittle

diabetes). I have learned from surgeon that I can have biologicals. I am looking

forward to feeling better. I have been ill for 15 years, who knows what all

caused the problems. I just want to be able to do a few things that I want to

do. Lately I have been in bed more than out. I have a 2 year old grand daughter

that I would love to spend more time with.

Atwell

[Guest guest]

You've had a host of complex problems and I hope that the biologics are able to

help alleviate your pain. My daughter has suffered from pancreatitis and so I

have some idea how painful it can be when you have an attack.

Re: Vitamin D. It has to be metabolized in the liver in order to be available

for use within the body. Maybe that's where the problem lies but only a doctor

could tell you. My vitamin D levels have been tested several times by my

rheumatologist and are fine but most likely because I spend at least an hour or

two every sunny day during the summer working out in an outdoor pool. I try to

remember to use sunscreen but 1/2 hour a day for 2 days a week normally provides

enough Vitamin D for most people; so even with the sunscreen, I'm sure I get

plenty. It is an increasing concern, however, particularly Vitamin D3. Make sure

the form of calcium you buy is one that is easily absorbed and able to be

converted to a useful form once it's inside the body. Ensuring that it contains

some level of D3 is also important.

Joanna Hoelscher

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I haven't had anything as complicated as you have with your pancreases,

but I have been sick for 12 years and just in the past 2 years my

vitamin D level has dropped to a all time low. The rheumatologist

worries because my bones are already under attack from PA, RA,

steoarthritis, osteoporosis, and I guess low vitamin D causes

osteomalacia, which is the softening of the bone. I also noticed when

my vitamin D level is low that I have no energy and am more fatigue than

even normal from all my other problems. I don't know if it comes from

PA or whether it is related to all the medication we take. So far I've

not been able to tolerate any of the biologicals, I had severe allergic

reactions to all of them, and now i have developed diabetes as well

probably from the continual use of predisone. My doctors constantly

want my level of prednisone lowered and i agree with them 100%, but if

i go now lower than 17 mg i simply can't walk or make it to the bath

room in time. I feel like I've lost so much from this disease, I can no

longer work, drive, walk or lead any real qualify of life. I also have

developed erythromelalgia, which is a type of neuropathy that causes

your skin to burn. I have that on my feet, hands and face. it's really

like living in hell when it hits and lately it's gotten a lot worse.

There are so many times i want to just stop and give up. I " m only 54

and i know that is young to even be considering something like this, but

i can't do it anyway because I have 2 daughters and a great husband who

love me very much. My younger daughter who is only 26, just had a

stroke and we still don't know what has caused this and if she is even

going to get her vision back to 100% normal. I couldn't even go visit

it her ICU because my family was too afraid I would catch something in

the hospital since my resistance is so low.

I used to be a very positive person and when this first hit, I had no

doubt i would learn to live with this and still have a fairly decent

quality of life. I've been in pain management for over 10 years and I

think they have saved me over and over again. Currently they want to

implant a neuro stimulator in my back to see if it helps the neuropathy

and some of my over all pain. We've had to put it off over and over

again due to the repeat infections i keep developing. That's another

thing you have to be careful with on the biologics. I know they have

been life savers for some people and i hope they are for you as well.

I only wish you the best of luck and hope you have a great outcome. It

sounds like you have had a really rough time and like me only want a

portion of your life back. I'd just like to go out to dinner with my

family even if it's in a wheelchair. I'm just so sick of being sick and

what it has done to all my relationships and the hardship it has put on

my family. Take care of yourself and i hope you have a great outcome.

Sincerely, Fran in florida, trying to stay warm...

[Guest guest]

Many people take stomach meds to reduce acid....Prilosec, Nexium.. when you

decrease stomach acid you helps heartburn symptoms but on the down side, many

people doesn't have enough acid to fully digest oral medications and food.

Therefore Vit D may not be absorbed totally. I got off the Nexium and switched

to gastrozyme.. a digestive enzyme. It got rid of all my upset stomach issues,

added in digesting my food and medications. I had a rebound increase in acid

and heartburn for 2 weeks after I stopped the Nexium but my internist said to

ride it out that things would get better. It did.

Katy in Michigan

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have also found that I have low vitamin d levels, I have asked about

my levels and why they are low, its because of the antacids.. your

correct I think.

Mmmmm