My saga continues

Went to the Endo today for my 6 month follow up. I was really hoping that something would be resolved with me, but no, it's not. I was on a 50,000 units of Vit D once a week for 5 months to see if that would help my PTH levels and boost up my Vit d levels. Well, the PTH is about the same and the Vit D decreased. So, now I am to do 50,000 units of Vit D twice a week....no problem, cept the cost.....my insurance doesn't cover these. 50 caps is $72..... Anyone have any sources of Vit D that is less expensive? I know I can take the lower units of like 400 or so, but then that's 120 something pills to take for one dose....Not me.... So to summarize: I'm still Vit D def, still bones ache, still on vicodan and still hurt...somedays I think I will be in wheelchair sooner than planned..... Thanks for letting me vent/rant etc.......and yes, this is all due to WLS and non absorption..... Darlene

Wow! I have a friend (a little over a year postop) who is also having severe malabsorption issues...Vit D, Potassium, etc. I'll ask her what Vit D she's taking. I know it's a very high amount like yours. Dang.

Hi!! Tooter! Since you are such an expert! what exactly is malabsorption? is it that we dont absorb the pills? or the calories? 6 months out and still confused

oh sweetie! I am so far from an expert its pathetic lol. You'd likely get a more informed answer from Darlene (the originator of this thread) than from me. Malasorptiion is basically that one doesn't absorb all of their nutrients, or pills, etc. My doc told us to figure we absorbed about 1/2 of our nutrients and ALL of our calories. Usually the further out you get, the more you absorb, but obviously some people do have long term issues from malabsorbing.

Darlene - I'm sorry to hear you're still having difficulty and in pain. Do you have a flexible spending account thru work that would enable you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for the vitamins? I'm so sorry - I am keeping you in my prayers for some remedy -- physical, financial, or otherwise. Desi

How high is your PTH? I have PTH issues also. It's not terribly high but over normal. They put me on Vit D3. PTH didn't budge. Neither did the Vit D which wasn't low to begin with. Ended up at Mayo Clinic to have it evaluated since I have osteopenia, just a hair from osteoporisis. I have 4 gland hyperplasia, for whatever reason. They don't know. So I'm on Fosamax and my dexa scan has improved. My PTH is still high tho but since it's stable and my calcium and vit D are okay, they are jus****ching it. Very strange. Mayo tried to say it was because of WLS. However, as I pointed out to them, my PTH was elevated BEFORE I had surgery. Go figure.