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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by laurie_lu on July 18, 2010, at 10:02:08
I have discovered Vit D3 works the best for my depression. However about 10 days into taking it, I develop really intense muscle and joint pain all over my body. I also get really bad breast tenderness from it. I end up feeling mentally better, but I physically feel worse with the all over body aches. Due to the pain, I end up having to stop the Vit D3 and the depression slowly creeps back.
I have done this at least 3 different times and ended up with the same results. I've even lowered the dose of Vit D3 and still get the pain. I am in my early 40's and am a physically healthy person with no medical problems. I have only tried one brand of Vit D3. Would switching brands help? Or is it all basically the same?
Posted by morgan miller on July 18, 2010, at 12:49:06
In reply to Vit D3 Best For My Depression But Bad Muscle Pain, posted by laurie_lu on July 18, 2010, at 10:02:08
Switching brands should not make a difference. As long as you are using the gel cap oil based form of D3 it should not really matter what brand you use, IMO.
How much D3 have you been using? Too much D3 causing high levels of vitamin D in your blood has been known to cause muscle aches and pain. You may want to just try lowering your vitamin D3 dose and see if you still get the mood enhancing benefits. What about spending 30 minutes in the sun during peak hours with your arms and legs exposed?
Any time you are taking a large amount of D3 you should be getting your levels checked by your doctor. I think anything over 2000 I.U. is unnecessary unless you have a deficiency. You want your D levels to be in between 40 and 50 ng/ml IMHO. Anything higher than this may come with some health risks in the long run. Who knows, between 50 and 80 ng/ml may be found to be ideal for many one day, but the evidence is not there as of yet.
Posted by janejane on July 18, 2010, at 16:02:05
In reply to Vit D3 Best For My Depression But Bad Muscle Pain, posted by laurie_lu on July 18, 2010, at 10:02:08
So you still felt pain after you lowered your dose? How many IUs were you taking per day initially, and what did you lower it to? Are you taking it with food? Also taking daily calcium and magnesium?
I agree with Morgan that you should get tested if you haven't already. It's a simple blood test, and shouldn't be too expensive if you have insurance.
I just found this through google:
"Muscle and Bone Pain
This is a side effect of vitamin d that is not so easy to remedy and is actually a sign that you really NEED TO CONTINUE taking the vitamin d. If you experience Pain from Vitamin D this very likely means that your bones have become somewhat demineralized from having vitamin d deficiency for a very long time.
When your bones are demineralized and you begin Vitamin D Therapy, this can cause calcium to begin to go back into the bones. When the calcium goes into the bones it drags fluids with it. This fluid can actually cause a small expansion of the 'collagen matrix' inside the bones and this expansion pushes out against the exterior covering of the bone which is very inflexible and has extensive nerve endings.
When this occurs, you can experience this as bone pain or even muscular pain. If you do experience pain, it is NOT Vitamin D Contraindication, a reason to be scared or to stop taking the vitamin d. If you continue with the Vitamin D Therapy, the pain should subside in a week or two. While uncomfortable, you will be better off in the long run if you manage the pain for this time and 'get through' to the other side."
It came from here:
http://www.easy-immune-health.com/Vitamin-D-Side-Effects.html
Now, I don't see any citations on the page, so I wouldn't trust what they say without doing more digging, but I thought I'd share it with you as a starting point for you to do more research. If you can find a reliable source that says the same thing, it might be your answer. I still encourage you to get tested, though. Then you'll be sure that you're not going overboard, and you'll have a baseline.
Posted by morgan miller on July 18, 2010, at 17:58:24
In reply to Re: Vit D3 Best For My Depression But Bad Muscle P » laurie_lu, posted by janejane on July 18, 2010, at 16:02:05
> So you still felt pain after you lowered your dose? How many IUs were you taking per day initially, and what did you lower it to? Are you taking it with food? Also taking daily calcium and magnesium?
>
> I agree with Morgan that you should get tested if you haven't already. It's a simple blood test, and shouldn't be too expensive if you have insurance.
>
> I just found this through google:
>
> "Muscle and Bone Pain
>
> This is a side effect of vitamin d that is not so easy to remedy and is actually a sign that you really NEED TO CONTINUE taking the vitamin d. If you experience Pain from Vitamin D this very likely means that your bones have become somewhat demineralized from having vitamin d deficiency for a very long time.
>
> When your bones are demineralized and you begin Vitamin D Therapy, this can cause calcium to begin to go back into the bones. When the calcium goes into the bones it drags fluids with it. This fluid can actually cause a small expansion of the 'collagen matrix' inside the bones and this expansion pushes out against the exterior covering of the bone which is very inflexible and has extensive nerve endings.
>
> When this occurs, you can experience this as bone pain or even muscular pain. If you do experience pain, it is NOT Vitamin D Contraindication, a reason to be scared or to stop taking the vitamin d. If you continue with the Vitamin D Therapy, the pain should subside in a week or two. While uncomfortable, you will be better off in the long run if you manage the pain for this time and 'get through' to the other side."
>
> It came from here:
>
> http://www.easy-immune-health.com/Vitamin-D-Side-Effects.html
>
> Now, I don't see any citations on the page, so I wouldn't trust what they say without doing more digging, but I thought I'd share it with you as a starting point for you to do more research. If you can find a reliable source that says the same thing, it might be your answer. I still encourage you to get tested, though. Then you'll be sure that you're not going overboard, and you'll have a baseline.Interesting find Janejane. I guess this could be a possibility with the OP. An even better reason why they should get their vitamin D levels checked ASAP.
On the flip side, I have read of a few reports of people experiencing muscle pain because they were taking too much vitamin D over a period of time and their levels were too high. So, who knows?
Go see your doctor!
Good luck!
Morgan
Posted by former poster on August 1, 2010, at 23:36:29
In reply to Re: Vit D3 Best For My Depression But Bad Muscle P, posted by morgan miller on July 18, 2010, at 17:58:24
My kids and I all had the blood test and we all were low. We are all taking pharmaceutical Vit.D 50,000 IU every 2 weeks. I can't really say I notice any improvement after almost a year. I do have a sore back muscle for the first time in 15 years. I asked my Dr. when do I get checked again to see if Vitamin D level is ok? He said never, we only check that once and thats it. If its low, you get the prescription. No follow up. I don't know if it is his fault or if my dwindling health insurance coverage?
Posted by morgan miller on August 3, 2010, at 0:45:35
In reply to Re: Vit D3 Best For My Depression But Bad Muscle P, posted by former poster on August 1, 2010, at 23:36:29
I don't know what your doctor is talking about dude. If it is your insurance, he should clarify that is the case.
I say find out if it is your insurance, and if your insurance will cover it, find another doctor. You should definitely be getting your vitamin D levels checked about 3 times a years, IMO.
This is the end of the thread.
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