Vitamin deficiencies

Earlier this year my labs came back with the deficiencies in D, B12 & Iron. So "we" (me & the doc) upped my daily vitamins quite a bit. I seem to have felt a bit better. This weekend I noticed my knees were killing me. Also my hips and thighs had begun to hurt. MY shoulders and elbows were even bothering me. hmmmmmm....!!!!!!?????? One joint hurting wouldn't be very alarming. A muscle ache here or there wouldn't be a big deal. But everything was hurting. I was stiff and felt way beyond my 46 years.

I remembered the questions my doc had asked me regarding the pain and stiffness. I did some on-line medical detecting (honestly - don't we all?).  All 3 of my deficiencies have joint pain and stiffness as one of the indicators. I called the doc and she told me to double everything for the next month and then we'll reassess.

3 days of doubling the already upped vitamin regiment and I feel like myself again. I'm not going to say that I'm pain free BUT it's the closest I've been in a very long time.

I know there are a lot of folks on the site who have dealt with deficiencies and I was wondering how my experience compares. Other than fatigue and the actual lab results----how do you know when you're out of whack? I know we tend to relax the vitamins when we get further out. That to me is a HUGE no no.

Lets talk about our vitamin regiments...

- Iris

Hi Iris,

This is a great subject to focus on.  Yes, a lot of us do get very lax as the years go by, not only in our food choices, but also in taking our daily meds.  I will volunteer to be the poster girl for Osteoporosis.

I had my RNY at age 44 in 2000.  I was diagnosed with Osteopenia several years later, about 2005.  I had become very lax in taking my Vit D and calcium.  I was put on Fosamax after my dexascan diagnosed Osteoporosis in 2007.  I absolutely HATED taking Fosamax because of the restrictions involved, even though it's taken once a week.  But you have to take it early am on an empty stomach, take it ALONE with no other meds, take it with only WATER, and remain upright (standing or sitting up) for at least half an hour afterwards.

My problem would've been easy to solve.  I worked 7pm to 7am,  3 days a week, so I could've chosen a work day (should be taken same day weekly) to take it since I would already be awake = EARLY AM

I usually ate dinner at work, anywhere from 11pm to 3am, so I could've eaten at 11 and had an empty stomach by 6am= EMPTY STOMACH

Taking it alone and with water only= NO EXPLANATION NEEDED

I would continue working to finish up my shift= STANDING OR UPRIGHT

So what was my problem?  Nothing!  But it still seemed too restrictive for me.  I requested BONIVA from my doc and got a script.  Problem? Fosamax was a 10.00 co-pay once a month.  Boniva was a 50.00 co-pay, but it was one pill, once a month.  Still too rich for my blood.

Anyway, I took my Fosamax, but I will admit I was not diligent about it.  Then on Halloween 2012, a co-worker and I were lifting a patient, and as we lifted, I heard and felt a loud "POP"!  I suffered a spinal fracture!  After 3 invasive procedures, I am still in pain, still out from work, just had another dexascan which showed my Osteoporosis has progressed, and possibly facing a surgery.  I am currently awaiting insurance approval for IV meds once or twice yearly for my Osteoporosis as the cost of that is tremendous.

People....PLEASE TAKE YOUR VITAMINS, MINERALS AND SUPPLEMENTS AS DIRECTED. HAVE YOUR TESTS AND EXAMINATIONS. PRODUCTIVE LIVES DEPEND ON IT!!!!

At 57, I am not an old woman.  I was widowed 9 years ago, but I have been dating through all those years.  The man in my life is almost 46 years old, and  until this injury, he had a time keeping up with me, even with my re-gain.  I will NOT let osteoporosis get the best of me, but it (possibly) would never have taken a hold in the first place IF I had been diligent.  I know this is long, but it is intended as a warning, and I am glad that Iris brought up the subject.  Off my soapbox now.  Hope everyone has a great day!

Shelia

This is the kind of stuff that we HAVE to talk about. When I was a newby I wasn't worried about this type of thing because I was convinced I would be the poster child for compliant patients.

Guess what? Life happens. I'm lucky that I've kept fairly good health insurance and low co-pays for my meds but I know in the past couple of years....LOTS and LOTS of folks have not been that fortunate. In this economy we have to stretch those dollars as far as possible, With some communication hopefully we can foresee the possibility of trying to pinch pennies when it comes to our health.  (does that make sense?)

- Iris

You know I am all about the vitamins but I was not always.  The first couple of years after my bypass, I was very compliant on everything.  As I got further out, not so much.  When my body started to ache, knees, hips and overall general blah, I knew it was time to figure out what I was lacking.  I had a full bloodwork done and my Vit D, B12, proteins and iron was in the toilet.  So for the next year I became super woman and took all my vitamins and some in mega doses to bring my counts back up.  I did so good that I was almost toxic on B12 and Vit D.  So I back off of those and up a few others.  I just had my yearly bloodwork done last week and I am waiting on the results of those.  I will let everybody know how I stand vitamin wise.  I feel good so hopefully I have found the balance that works for me.  My current regiment right now is:

2 - Multi Vitamins (1200 mg)

3-Calcium Citrate (1800 mg)

1-B12 Sublingual (500 mg)

1-Vit D weekly only (50,000 mg)

1-iron carbonyl (63 mg)

2-Magnesium Oxide

1-Miralax Daily

I suffer with many deficiencies and some I'm sure are there that my regular md hasn't considered checking for.  Here is my vitamin/supplement regimine:

1st thing- 2 gummie vits with Sam-e (empty stomach)

About 1 hr later:  2 calcium citrate, 2 magnesium, 1 co-q-10, 1 osteo-biflex, 1 tumeric, 1 vitamin D3, Omega 3/6/9, plus my meds for fibromyalgia

After dinner:  2 calcium citrate, 2 magnesium, 1 osteo-biflex, 1 Omega 3/6/9, plus my fibromyalgia meds

Bedtime:  9mg of melatonin and 200 mg Trazodone for sleep

I think that's all.  I have to keep a list on my cabinet to make sure.