Vitamin D

From our Migraine Action Association:

http://www.migraine.org.uk/index.php?sectionid=1151

Well that is certainly new and interesting information. I've been following the studies linking low vitamin D to diseases like MS, but had no idea it might be linked to migraine and chronic pain.

About four months ago my GP tested my Vitamin D levels. I was waaaayyyyy low. The article states that Vitamin D level should be 50 ng. Mine was 17 ng.

He has had me on a very high prescription dose of 50,000 units twice a week.

I think many of us migraineurs are like me. I avoid the sun like crazy because of my photosensitivity. Plus, the more I'm down with my M's the less I'm outside. I used to garden a lot, but I haven't for several years.

I haven't noticed a difference, but no side effects and I don't feel it's hurting anything by staying on it. I was supposed to go in for a recheck last month...Oops!

The amount of research coming out about D3 is astounding. And it's research from mainstream medical organizations not natural health entities. I take 10,000 IU a day and my daughter does 5000 IU. She was the only student in her entire school with perfect attendance. No colds, sinus goop of flu's the entire year for either of us.

Even if it doesn't help migs we still owe it to ourselves to be able to at least dodge many or most bugs that can also make life hell for us.

So you just buy it in tablet form?
No side effects?

I'll try it.....

The strength I take is prescription, but is close to what Brent takes. Mine is a capsule with liquid in it.

No side effects.

If I feel like I am fighting a bug I will take 100,000 IU in a 24 hr period. So far the only side effect I have noticed is I don't end up getting sick.

I am really a sun lover and try to be out in the sun as much as possible. The problem I have with this is my eyes being extremely sensitive to the sun. I link it to my migraines although I don't know if that is the reason. I just know since having migraines (at age 36 I developed them) I rarely go outside with out my sunglasses.
I had always been someone that bought cheap sunglasses and just went through a couple pair a year. With theses migraines I had to end up getting a good pair of ray bans in the darkest shade they make. I am never with out them.
I am just so sensitive to so many things now it annoys me. Sound, light, scents ughhhhh I have to be a nightmare to live with!!
I take a whole slew of vitamins but I actually don't think D is on my list. I actually just came from our vitamin store so I may have to make another trip. I am up for anything that may help. I really don't feel like my Dr. is helping at all.

I take 2,400IU daily. I thought that was pretty high. Although I have heard that 5,000i is the way to go. What made you decide on 10,000 IU. Sounds fairly high. The drugstore only goes as high as 1,000 per tablet. I suppose the health food stores go highter??

One day of full body sun exposure will activate 10,000 IU. They are making 5000 and 10000 IU gel caps now which means people are catching on to the optimal amounts to use. If I was fighting cancer or an auto immune disease I would certaily be using at least 10k IU.

The RDA of 800 IU is worthless.

http://www.iherb.com/Vitamin-D-3-10000-IU

I take 5,000 IU and my daugther (3yrs old) takes about 1,200. I have my husband taking 5,000 also....

Here in BC is high % -age of people with vit D deficiency on the account of mostly rainy and cloudy weather,
too little of sun
so when my daughter's blood test showed vit D deficiency I knew I must have it, too

so both od us started taking it in a supplement form.

After a good few months taking it regularly we don't have it anymore (recent blood tests confirmed) and I did feel a tad bit more energetic than before but there is no change in M pattern.

I think all these optimistic news about "studies shown that..." and "studies shown this.."
abut various supplements and vitamins are good for people with just mild M.
For somebody with serious case, it's not going to make any difference.

Risa

My take is migs are bad enough that at least we can eliminate some of the other problems that D3 deficiency causes.

If we don't get hit with every cold, flu and lung crud bug each winter then life will be a little easier for us.

Make sure that you only take the natural form of vitamin D, which is safe in high doses; and stay away from the synthetic form, which is toxic in doses high enough to be helpful.

Do you all order your vitamins or buy locally?

Brent,

Thank you for posting the YouTube video...very imformative.

Ann

http://www.iherb.com/Vitamin-D-5000-IU

From what I've read, it is perfectly safe for most people to take vitamin d at the levels discussed.

However, I have a granuloma disease, probably sarcoidosis. Some people have this and don't even know it. Sarcoidosis patients often have hyper vitalmin D blood levels. And vitamin D aggravates the disease. In fact, people with active sarcoidosis are suppose to stay out of the sun. So I'm gonna have my blood levels measured before I take any.

AFter reading these posts I heard on the news (yesterday) that Canada Health has now approved 800 to 2000IU of Vitamin D for safe use. Wow, they're catching up!!

in desperation I ordered a whole slew of vitamins. they arrived yesterday. B100 complex, Omega 3, magesium in powder form, feverfew, cell salts (for good measure) I already take butterbur, calcium/magnesium. If you know of anything I may have forgotten, don't tell me! I've had enough. (:

and Vitamin D, of course.

I have had a low vitamin D level for years..mine is 15. I take a prescription Vitamin D pill once a week for 12 weeks. It should be taken with calcium.

Good article for anyone in pain.....Ha! Anyone??

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/health/27brod.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=general

Phillips87 - I am also a sun lover and find it hard to believe I could possibly be short on Vit. D except in winter. I also have to wear sun glasses all the time outside. I needed to do this before my migraines started in my 40's though. I figured it was because I wear contact lenses. Maybe I was wrong and it was a sign of migraines to come.

Like you Brent, I have noticed a HUGE change in my immune system since starting on D3. I'm on a mere 4000 a day and I skipped every single office cold this year, which is quite remarkable considering I see patients who are sick every day!