My drs office called yesterday and said I was low in Vit D. I don't have the test results. Dr rx'd me a weekly cap of 50000 unt, for 16 weeks.
On the instruction leaflet, from the pharmacy in big letters it says:
"DO NOT TAKE antacids containing MAGNESIUM with this medicine".
I have been taking 500 mgs of Mag daily and its been helping me alot.
Is there is a different kind of Mag in the antacids?
Or will I have to stop taking my daily Mag, until I am done with the Vit D?
Thanks.
Posted by DoctorLuddite (Member # 13853) on :
The vitamin D your doc prescribed is drisdol, also known as ergocalciferol, or vitamin D2. For some bizarre reason it is considered the "standard of care" in treating vitamin D deficiency. It may work wonders initially, but if you use it, you must also take a non prescription vitamin D3 at the same time, as the drisdol will deplete you of D3 which is really the thing you need. Since drisdol is given once a week at first, and then once a month afterwards, I would say to skip the mag on the day that you take it and one day after, and then resume it at the regular usage. What form of mag do you take, malate, citrate, oxide? Ergocalciferol comes from ergosterol, a cholesterol like substance made by fungi. Chloecalciferol, D3, comes from the kind of cholesterol made by our livers. We are designed for the use of the latter, not the former.
Posted by DakotasMom01 (Member # 14141) on :
DoctorLuddite, Thanks for your help. I am taking the Mag Oxide, 500 mgs a day.250 mg twice a day.
""It may work wonders initially, but if you use it, you must also take a non prescription vitamin D3 at the same time, as the drisdol will deplete you of D3 which is really the thing you need.""
Then I would be better off skipping the Rx'd Vit D and just using the D-3, daily. The dose on the bottle of D-3 says 400 IU, once a day. Will that be enough?
Will I still have to adjust the Mag ? Sorry, for all the questions, this is all new to me. Thank You.
Posted by DoctorLuddite (Member # 13853) on :
For an adult, 400 IU is not near enough, especially if you have a lot of metabolic stressors, like Lyme for instance. It also depends on your size, your intestinal health, and the status of your liver and kidneys. In general, start with one per day, and every few days increase by one, when you get to five/day, and run out of 400s replace them with 2 1000IU capsules and have your Doc retest you in 12 weeks. If you develop untoward symptoms back off, and resume a few days later to determine with certainty that the symptoms were D related. Take the D midway between the mag dosing. I have heard that Mag Oxide is not well absorbed, it's nice to know there are exceptions.
Posted by dguy (Member # 8979) on :
Many lymies are low in the vitamin D precursor measured in the typical blood test (25D). This is a common symptom of the illness. The infection consumes 25D and converts it into its bioactive form 1,25D.
No one I know has recovered from Bb infection by treating its symptoms. If you decide to supplement anyhow, the infection is likely to drive up your 1,25D (the active kind) to abnormal levels, so be watchful for new symptoms. For many here this has shown itself as unexpected, new dental problems such as cracked molars and chipped enamel. I did not start recovering until I avoided vitamin D intake.
Posted by DakotasMom01 (Member # 14141) on :
DoctorLuddite, Thank you!!
Dguy said: ""No one I know has recovered from Bb infection by treating its symptoms.If you decide to supplement anyhow, the infection is likely to drive up your 1,25D (the active kind) to abnormal levels, so be watchful for new symptoms. For many here this has shown itself as unexpected, new dental problems such as cracked molars and chipped enamel. I did not start recovering until I avoided vitamin D intake.""
""No one I know has recovered from Bb infection by treating its symptoms""~~ The symptom I am treating is bone loss.Its called osteopena.{sp}
""the infection is likely to drive up your 1,25D (the active kind) to abnormal levels, so be watchful for new symptoms.""~~ I believe this has been happening for a long time.I wasn't using any supplements before last yr. With the infections knocked back down, I should be headed the other way. Back towards normal levels.
""For many here this has shown itself as unexpected, new dental problems such as cracked molars and chipped enamel.""~~Been down this path for 20 yrs, with un-dx'd lyme, coinfections & tooth grinding. I am hoping the vit D will prevent any more damage and save the rest of my teeth.
"I did not start recovering until I avoided vitamin D intake""~~Glad to know this worked for you. Hope you continue to improve.
Thank you both for your help.
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
I increased my Vit D3 from 1000 IU daily to 5000 IU daily which is indicated for rheumatoid arthritis which I have. It made a tremendous difference for me and in fact, it is reducing my herboden's nodules.
My D levels were down.
Posted by pamoisondelune (Member # 11846) on :
DocLuddite, can you give references so i can read something about why not to take Magnesium with Vit D?
When i search, i can't find.
Thanks, pamois.
Posted by DoctorLuddite (Member # 13853) on :
I don't have any references for that, and had never heard of it being a problem until Dakotasmom started this thread. It probably has to do with some interaction between Drisdol and Magnesium in the lumen of the intestine that interferes with absorption...That would be my guess. I maintain though that D3, not D2, is the preferred supplement.