calcium/vit d recommendations

[mchugh725]

last month (9/20-9/25) i had a 5 day steroid treatment of 1,000 mg, I had another 750 1 day 2 weeks ago and then last week I had 2 more days of 1,000. I am going to go back to having the 750 monthly on nov 24.
so my question is that i seem to be having alot of steroid treatments with more in the future. what is a good supplement to take to help with the osteo risk. I am only 38. i do not recall if i had my vitamin d levels checked, i know i had my vitamin b checked and that was good. i dont go back to the neuro until 12/20.

[lydialou]

I would wait and ask your neuro to do the testing for vitamin D levels and I would ask him/her about your calcium needs since he/she has prescribed the steriods.

My neuro is the one who handles all of my testing for vitamin D and does the prescription for me-that is why I suggested talking with the neuro.

Your neuro also might want to prescribe one of the bone drugs (like Boniva, Reclast, Fosamax) if you have some bone loss already and expect additional steriod treatments.

Also you might want to ask about a Dexa Scan which provides information about your bone density. It's an easy test-no drugs are involved. Takes only a few minutes and provides pretty decent information.

12/20 is not that far away........don't stress out!

lydialou

[mchugh725]

thanks

I know the nurse suggested I take the calcium/vitamind supplement when she was scheduling me for the steroid treatment. She suggested Viactiv I think. The appointment was over so I was not able to ask the Dr and I was in a hurry to leave. I definately have this on my list of stuff for my next appointment

[lydialou]

Viactiv is pretty good-I have used that before. My favorite was the caramel. It also seemed to have less impact on my GI tract (which can be pretty cranky). Now I just take the calcium pills-600 mg in the am with breakfast and 400mg at night. The rest I get from eating the right things.

I take 50,000 units of vitamin D once a week (my neuro gave me that) as well as 2000 each am and pm. The 2000 is OTC.

Thanks to Tara-I now also take magnesium to help make my bones a little more healthy. It helps with sleeping so I take it at night AND it helps with bladder problems which I sometimes have-that overactive thing which seems to have improved, too.

I did take Fosamax in the past because my dexa scan showed some bone loss and my PCP wanted me to take it. He felt it would help with future bone loss and possible fracture stuff. I took it for 5 years and had to stop because it gave me terrible acid reflux problems (which is a side effect-yuck). So I stayed off for a year and then he prescribed the Reclast which is an infusion that take 15 minutes and is done in a hospital infusion center.It was easy but expensive-my insurance did not cover a lot of it. My dexa scan did not look much better but I don't think they waited long enough to make that decision. So then he put me on Boniva but I have stopped that too because I didn't like what I read about it and what it does to your bones.

I know-way too much information for you. You are probably wondering why I said they might put you on a bone drug if I had taken them and had problems. I felt he was doing over-kill on me.I had no risk factors except my MS and some bone loss from the dexa scan. I have never had IV steriod. I felt like increasing my calcium, increasing my strength exercise was a better first step.

But-folks I know who have done the IV steroid or have done chemo for cancer do need additional things....like prescripion bone drugs. There are other threads about bone drugs that you can find at this site if you look around.

Hope things go well.

lydialou

[nutritiontara]

last month (9/20-9/25) i had a 5 day steroid treatment of 1,000 mg, I had another 750 1 day 2 weeks ago and then last week I had 2 more days of 1,000. I am going to go back to having the 750 monthly on nov 24.
so my question is that i seem to be having alot of steroid treatments with more in the future. what is a good supplement to take to help with the osteo risk. I am only 38. i do not recall if i had my vitamin d levels checked, i know i had my vitamin b checked and that was good. i dont go back to the neuro until 12/20.

Certainly steroids put one at a higher rate of bone loss. You are young and at the beginning of steroid Tx; it would be advisable to get a baseline DEX scan. Then you can be monitored for subsequent bone loss. With steroids I would be aggressive with bone health. Upwards of 2,000mg/day of calcium, 1000-1500mg magnesium, vit D has to be in the 70s+, bio-identical progesterone. I would get you w a bone specialist. And bones drugs are not a long term answer...not starting at your age. They slow the rate of resorption...which just means "old bone". They have no effect on laying down new bone. Only thing that will accomplish that is progesterone.

[mchugh725]

FOLLOWUP

Hi Tara I was hoping you can give me some more advice. I had my Vitamin D checked and it was 59. So my neuro said it was in the normal range so I did not have to take any vitamin D. You had stated it should be 70+. So I wanted to start taking vitamin D how much should I take since my doctor does not think I need to take it?

[nutritiontara]

Hi Tara I was hoping you can give me some more advice. I had my Vitamin D checked and it was 59. So my neuro said it was in the normal range so I did not have to take any vitamin D. You had stated it should be 70+. So I wanted to start taking vitamin D how much should I take since my doctor does not think I need to take it?

I think you should take 6-8,000 IU/day. Neuro Researchers are recommending levels to be 110. Clinicians (your doctor) usually run 5-10 years behind the research.
Google vit D toxicity.....you will find very little.

[Mariposa49]

Tara question about vitamin D dose and type

I have a question for Tara regarding type and dosage of vitamin D.

I was taking a vitamin D gel tab until I found it had soy in it so I switched to a liquid. One Doc I spoke with felt that the liquid was not as easily absorbed as a gel tab would be.

My levels were in the high 80's last I checked while I was taking 10,000iu gel tabs. He felt (as you) that my levels should be pushing 100.I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in my left hip, earlier this year so I want to get this right

My question is two fold: what is the best form to take of vitamin ?.I increased my vit D to 10,000-15,000IU of liquid vitamin D (5,000 with each meal) I sometimes miss the mid day dose if I'm not home. Should I get my levels checked on this dose before making any adjustments? I have a dr. appointment next week.

[nutritiontara]

from Mariposa:
My question is two fold: what is the best form to take of vitamin ?.I increased my vit D to 10,000-15,000IU of liquid vitamin D (5,000 with each meal) I sometimes miss the mid day dose if I'm not home. Should I get my levels checked on this dose before making any adjustments? I have a dr. appointment next week.


I use a vit D in liquid form. The issue is to take D with protein to have it be carried into the small intestines for absorption there. Your Docs perhaps thinking a liquid won't get down to your gut.....my "top" favorite vit Co. produces a liquid D; I know they got it right.
A gel capsule is fine also. What you don't want is a tablet of calcium, magnesium and D. You can't heat and dry a fat soluble...it is no longer viable.

I have patients on 20,000/day...if your insurance will cover it and Doc will write the script; get it checked, but not necessary. In my clinical experience it takes a lot to get it to 100 and keep it there.
Let us know....

[heidelee]

60x1000IU Vitamin D3 Cholecalciferol Capsules

I know, one's need to aim for an optimal amount of 1000 IUs for a daily dose of vitamin D3 cholecalciferol. This will ensure that the body gets the best possible amount of vitamin D to reduce the risk of vitamin D deficiency symptoms. Maybe that's why my uncle is now taking MX Vitamin D that contains 1000 IUs of vitamin D3 cholecalciferol that they said will replenish my uncle body’s stores and nourish bones and immune system.Just sharing..

[Sequoia]

I know, one's need to aim for an optimal amount of 1000 IUs for a daily dose of vitamin D3 cholecalciferol. This will ensure that the body gets the best possible amount of vitamin D to reduce the risk of vitamin D deficiency symptoms. Maybe that's why my uncle is now taking MX Vitamin D that contains 1000 IUs of vitamin D3 cholecalciferol that they said will replenish my uncle body’s stores and nourish bones and immune system.Just sharing..

The title of your post, 60 x 1000 IU Cholecalciferol Capsules, refers to the number of capsules in a bottle of the Maxalife product.

Just to be clear, Maxalife Vitamin D3 is no different from, or better than, other brands.

And 1000 IU is not the optimum dose; it's far too low for replenishing depleted stores of D3.