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Email a friendIs Low Vitamin D Leading To Leg Pain?
Newspaper Columns, Herb & Home Remedy Q&A May 13, 2008
Q. I've had extreme chronic pain in my lower back, pelvis, hips and legs for nearly four years. Lying flat was agony so I had to sleep propped up on a love seat.I went to many doctors who said there was nothing wrong with me. Then I found a rheumatologist who checked my vitamin D and found it was extremely low.
I've been taking 1,600 IUs of vitamin D a day and have been feeling much better and happier. At this rate I think I’ll be about back to normal in six months. It's terrible that anyone should suffer for so long from this. If in doubt, get your vitamin D checked!
A. Vitamin D deficiency is common and is often underestimated as a cause of chronic pain. Low levels of this vitamin can contribute to arthritis, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and high blood pressure. In a high-tech society where most people work indoors and wear sunscreen whenever they are outside, vitamin D insufficiency may be far more common than most doctors suspect.
We discussed this topic in depth on our radio show with two of the country’s leading vitamin D experts, James Dowd, MD, and Michael Holick, PhD, MD. They provide a detailed discussion of testing and treating vitamin D deficiency.
Tags: Arthritis, Cancer, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Leg Pain, Osteoporosis, Vitamin D Deficiency
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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
© 2008 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Reader Comments
Yes, leg pain is one sign of vitamin D deficiency. There is a test 25hydroxyvitamin, which will give the Dr. your Vitamin D level. Mine was 16 (half of what it should be). I was given 4 pills of 50,000 units of Vitamin D (once a week for a month) and it brought my level up to 42. Now I take 1200 mg daily. The leg pain is gone. You need Vitamin D to absorb calcium, otherwise you can develop osteopenia.
Posted by: BH | May 14, 2008 8:17 AM
I READ THE ARTICLE ABOUT VITIMAN D. WOULD THIS BE EFFECTIVE FOR FIBROMYALGIA? IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE INFO PLEASE PUBLISH. I HAVE HAD CHRONIC PAIN FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH FIBRO IN THE EARLY 1980'S
THANKS
Posted by: L.S. | May 14, 2008 12:36 PM
I have post polio syndrome that affects lower back and hips. I was in such misery it was hard to sleep back in November. I started taking 4000 IU of D3 daily and within DAYS I was feeling better. And now that the sun is hot and I'm out gardening with few clothes I am suddenly feeling really great.
As for fibromyalgia, definitely try D3.
A young friend had such bad Chrohn's disease he had about given up on life. I suggested he take D3. A few months later, he was engaged and he and his finace had enrolled in doctoral programs at Chico State. No more Chrohn's!
Posted by: Barbara S. | May 16, 2008 1:27 PM
I have been having intense leg and hip pain that comes and goes, but seems to be hanging around now. A couple of months ago through a routine blood test my doctor found I am low in Vitamin D and prescribed me meds. To this day I did not purchase the meds. After reading what I found here I am out to get the meds. I will provide a follow-up after taking the meds for awhile. Thanks for everyone's input.
Posted by: Deb | June 22, 2008 8:09 PM
I get this intense leg pain while I am sleeping at night, and then I cannot find a comfortable spot to lie in, nor a position. I am on heart medication and I just thought that the diuretics would be the culprit in the cause, so, I just started taking potassium, and eating bananas again.
The pharmacist explained to me that I also need to have my bloodwork checked periodically to monitor my levels to see where the deficiency is; that is kind of difficult when one has no decent health insurance. What could be the primary cause of this issue? The waking me up at night, is so aggravating and annoying and it hurts like the dickens!
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY COMMENT: TAKING POTASSIUM PILLS WITHOUT MONITORING COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. PLEASE FIND A WAY TO HAVE THIS CHECKED ON A REGULAR BASIS.
Posted by: michelle | September 5, 2008 3:32 PM
I have had 15 years of back, hip, leg and sciatic nerve pain. Last week was checked for vit. d defficency which was low. I am on 1 pill a week for 12 weeks, then 1 time a month. In less than 1 week I am almost pain free and am so thankful as I thought I would need a wheelchair soon . I just wish this could have happened 15 years ago. Has anyone out there recovered this fast??
Posted by: Jean | September 5, 2008 10:23 PM