[Zeroid]

Hi all,

I have recently been diagnosed with a ridiculously low level of Vitamin D. This caused me some neurological issues - tremors, shaking, muscle weakness, some falling over, very scary. I was prescribed some massive doses of Vitamin D which cured the neurological problems I had, but had other effects. I have much more energy, I am happy and positive, but none of this has set off my bipolar (currently managed effectively by Lithium, but I'm trying to switch to Abilify).

So my question is this - has anyone else experienced something like this? Is there anything I should worry about?

[*Beth*]

My (adult) daughter was diagnosed with a serious vitamin D deficiency. Her very thick hair started thinning, she felt disoriented, and very tired. She was given a prescription for D and told to sit in the sun for 10 minutes around 10a.m. every morning.

I believe that you definitely need to take a high D dose and possibly get some sun. No vitamin deficiency should be ignored.

What has your doctor said?

[~Christina]

I had virtually no Vitamin D about 12 years ago when diagnosed Fibromyagia so I was put on Prescription Vit D, it did bring it up to a low "okay level" I never noticed it effect my Bipolar specificially.. But I still take the Vitamin D and need to be outside 20 mins in the sun daily if possible..

If Lithium is managing your Bipolar well, why switch to Abilify?

[HALLIEBETH87]

I was dxd with a deficiency a While back. I stilll take 2,000iu daily

[Zeroid]

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

I was dxd with a deficiency a While back. I stilll take 2,000iu daily

I am looking forward to those levels. I'm on 50,000! Still, it helps, and no side effects so I'm happy!

[Zeroid]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

I had virtually no Vitamin D about 12 years ago when diagnosed Fibromyagia so I was put on Prescription Vit D, it did bring it up to a low "okay level" I never noticed it effect my Bipolar specificially.. But I still take the Vitamin D and need to be outside 20 mins in the sun daily if possible..

If Lithium is managing your Bipolar well, why switch to Abilify?

Thanks for that, Christina.

I am switching to Abilify because although the Lithium works amazingly, it only does that if I am very controlled with dosing. If I miss a dose and delay a dose (as can happen through stupidity) within a few days of each other then I have an episode, and that will take a couple of weeks to fix. Abilify is one pill, once a day. It's easy, if it works.

[Zeroid]

Originally Posted by BethRags

My (adult) daughter was diagnosed with a serious vitamin D deficiency. Her very thick hair started thinning, she felt disoriented, and very tired. She was given a prescription for D and told to sit in the sun for 10 minutes around 10a.m. every morning.

I believe that you definitely need to take a high D dose and possibly get some sun. No vitamin deficiency should be ignored.

What has your doctor said?

As you can tell from my picture the hair thing is not an issue.

My Pdoc hasn't said anything as I'm on a new one and don't want to be extra.

[fern46]

Did they recommend you take a calcium supplement? My child fainted recently and they worked him up for everything. All they found was that he was vitamin D deficient. He takes a supplement for it now and has been fine since. His doctor said it was important he take it with calcium as the body needs the calcium to absorb the vitamin D properly.

Originally Posted by fern46

Did they recommend you take a calcium supplement? My child fainted recently and they worked him up for everything. All they found was that he was vitamin D deficient. He takes a supplement for it now and has been fine since. His doctor said it was important he take it with calcium as the body needs the calcium to absorb the vitamin D properly.

I've been told (or read) about this important role of calcium with vitamin D, too.

For those that don't like dairy (animal milk), I think most of the milk substitutes are calcium enriched. So are some (not all) orange juices. I usually drink the brand Skim Milk Plus, which is also fortified with some vitamin D. I know that some of the lactose free animal milks are, too. And these latter two even tend to have more calcium than normal milk. I like yogurt and cheese a lot, too. Then there is always select other foods fairly rich in calcium (i.e. broccoli/bok choy/kale, sardines, certain beans like white beans, etc.)

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by Zeroid

Thanks for that, Christina.

I am switching to Abilify because although the Lithium works amazingly, it only does that if I am very controlled with dosing. If I miss a dose and delay a dose (as can happen through stupidity) within a few days of each other then I have an episode, and that will take a couple of weeks to fix. Abilify is one pill, once a day. It's easy, if it works.

Yes Abilify has a longer half life than Lithium.. Can you set a daily alarm to remind you to take it??? Also you use a weekly med box that way you know for sure you have taken it by a glance..

I get a slight vitamin D deficiency in the winter which I've never noticed any symptoms from it, but I take a supplement pretty much during Daylight Savings.

[sarahsweets]

I had gastric bypass in 07. Part of the conditions of the bypass at the time was me signing paperwork agreeing that I would have to take vitamins and supplements for the rest of my life. I take: Vitamin c, d, e, b6, b12,folic acid, iron, chelated magnesium, acidophilis, calcium, fish oil, prenatal multi, biotin and zinc. The biggest thing with me and vitamin d is getting outside. I sit outside and read every morning and periodically throughout the day. IMO nothing beats the natural vitamin d from the sun.

[Aviza]

I'm deficient in vitamin d supposed to 6000 a day i take 5000 cause that's what i could find. My levels are fine now. My hair needs work. I didn't hear to take calcium with it. But i do try to get sun.

[Zeroid]

Originally Posted by fern46

Did they recommend you take a calcium supplement? My child fainted recently and they worked him up for everything. All they found was that he was vitamin D deficient. He takes a supplement for it now and has been fine since. His doctor said it was important he take it with calcium as the body needs the calcium to absorb the vitamin D properly.

They didn't, but I think that's a function of age and gender. Calcium is apparently more of an issue for the young or women.

[Zeroid]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Yes Abilify has a longer half life than Lithium.. Can you set a daily alarm to remind you to take it??? Also you use a weekly med box that way you know for sure you have taken it by a glance..

Done all that, plus a back up stash in a pill box in the pocket. I can only take it with food, which means that the alarm can get turned off if I'm still cooking, and if I forget then it's late or not taken. Same if I'm out for dinner and forget the pill box (rare), or can't hear the alarm (common).

I'd also like Lithium as a last resort backup. It's the gold standard, and I would like to go through the others while I am young(ish) and have the Lithium in reserve.

[Zeroid]

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

I had gastric bypass in 07. Part of the conditions of the bypass at the time was me signing paperwork agreeing that I would have to take vitamins and supplements for the rest of my life. I take: Vitamin c, d, e, b6, b12,folic acid, iron, chelated magnesium, acidophilis, calcium, fish oil, prenatal multi, biotin and zinc. The biggest thing with me and vitamin d is getting outside. I sit outside and read every morning and periodically throughout the day. IMO nothing beats the natural vitamin d from the sun.

Originally Posted by Aviza

I'm deficient in vitamin d supposed to 6000 a day i take 5000 cause that's what i could find. My levels are fine now. My hair needs work. I didn't hear to take calcium with it. But i do try to get sun.

I'm English with some Scots, so I have what is known by some as blue skin. It's when your skin is so pale that you have a faint blue tint because your veins are all visible. Obviously this means I have had a life of sunscreen and hats (even as a kid) and the terrifying spectre of skin cancer.

I will be getting more sun now. Balancing risks is something we probably all get, and this is my latest one.

[Fuzzybear]

I have not had this tested. It would not surprise me if I have some vitamin D deficiency. I have not had access to good or interested medical providers for some time now... years... (not months).....

Hugs to all

[wing]

Originally Posted by Zeroid

Hi all,

I have recently been diagnosed with a ridiculously low level of Vitamin D. This caused me some neurological issues - tremors, shaking, muscle weakness, some falling over, very scary. I was prescribed some massive doses of Vitamin D which cured the neurological problems I had, but had other effects. I have much more energy, I am happy and positive, but none of this has set off my bipolar (currently managed effectively by Lithium, but I'm trying to switch to Abilify).

So my question is this - has anyone else experienced something like this? Is there anything I should worry about?

Enjoy !!

The first thing my psychiatrist did when she saw my lab work was prescribe massive Vit D and now I take a daily supplement.