Mayo Clinic research shows a correlation between inadequate vitamin D levels and the amount of narcotic medication taken by patients who have chronic pain. This correlation is an important finding as researchers discover new ways to treat chronic pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic pain is the leading cause of disability in the United States. These patients often end up taking narcotic-type pain medication such as morphine, fentanyl or oxycodone.
This study found that patients who required narcotic pain medication, and who also had inadequate levels of vitamin D, were taking much higher doses of pain medication — nearly twice as much — as those who had adequate levels. Similarly, these patients self-reported worse physical functioning and worse overall health perception. In addition, a correlation was noted between increasing body mass index (a measure of obesity) and decreasing levels of vitamin D. Study results were published in a recent edition of Pain Medicine.
“This is an important finding as we continue to investigate the causes of chronic pain,” says Michael Turner, M.D., a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician at Mayo Clinic and lead author of the study. “Vitamin D is known to promote both bone and muscle strength. Conversely, deficiency is an under-recognized source of diffuse pain and impaired neuromuscular functioning. By recognizing it, physicians can significantly improve their patients’ pain, function and quality of life.”
Below is a link to an edited youtube video with Dr. Turner.
I am so impressed with the delivery of health information that can help patients and their physicians. Thank you for your information.
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How much Vitamin D would you advise me to take? I take 600mg with my calcium. Thank you.
A person should take at least 4 to 5000 iu of vitamin D daily.
I have been taking it for yrs. and it hasn’t helped my Fibromyalgia pain at all. And I just had mine tested again and it is within range.
This is exactly what happened to me! Been well controlled for yrs on same dose of oxcodone until the pain mgmt group wanted me to keep an open mind and try other things. Went thru enormous pain for 3 1/2 months, & was shocked that when I got back on my “regular” dose, it took wks to even begin to touch the pain. I thot I’d almost be “high” from the low of where I had been…My primary doc ordered mineral & vitamin blood work…and sure enough, my Vit D level was low. (I had forgotten to take it with my calcium during this time.) Four wks later…on the Vit D & same dose of oxycodone…am back to baseline control. I can’t wait to take this article to the pain mgmt group…Thanks for your work!
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Chronic pain opiate narcotics are effective but very dangerous, should be taken in moderation and prescribed by a physician, medications such as Darvocet, hydrocodone, Lortab, Vicodin, Norco, Percocet, OxyContin, are even more commercial and very useful for people with diseases like fibromyalgia, chronic pain, Parkinson’s, arthritis, arthrosis, should be restricted and controlled, as in findrxonline said the FDA does not allow them the freedom to market.
its really good and informative site.I will definently visit this site again thanks
For thirty years I had muscle and joint pain. My useless doctor did not take me seriously and wouldn’t prescribe pain relief, or find a cause. Eventually I was in so much pain I couldn’t sleep at night or get out of a chair, everything hurt.When I started taking lots of Vitamin C and D I gradually improved. All along I had been following his advice to stay out of the sun. How many millions of people endured pain and risked all these other diseases because the medical profession is so incompetent?
Anyone who gets unsatisfactory results or answers should see another doc !
One doc IS NOT the medical profession
My pain doc has all his patients evaluated by a psychologist, What was your status ? As a precaution we must remember that psy ill patients get sick like healthy persons. A good team should be able to sort this out.
I had the same problems as Marlene. Saw doctor after doctor, physical therapist after physical therapist…and got worse. I was diagnosed with nerve damage, fibromyalgia, and severe arthritis, none of which was correct. The only honest MD said he didn’t know what I had. I gave up on the medical profession as being useless and got better on my own with Egoscue exercises, homeopathy, an alternative form of therapy known as IMT, and 10,000 IU per day of Vitamin D. Incidentally, I did see a psychiatrist. He was just as worthless as the rest. Your insinuation that this kind of pain is psychological is as simple-minded as it is insulting.
I am in my 60′s and had suffered with generalized aches and pains for about 35 yrs. The last 9 years have had severe knee pain and doctors recommended joint replacements. Started taking 50000 IU’s D3 weekly and was surprised that all pains subsided after a month on this regimen. The doctor would only let me have it for 3 months and the pain quickly came back with a vengeance. Got new Rx after much persuasion-blessed relief! I wonder how high a dosage would be risky on a daily basis.
You do not need a prescription for D3
I have sudden onset severe osteoporosis which has resulted in the fracture of four vertebrae and the pain is intolerable. An MD Anesthesiologist specializing in pain management put me on oxycontin 12hr time-release, Celebrex, and hydrocodone APAP 7.5/325 for break-thru pain. While at the same time, my Osteopath put me on 50,000mg D2 2x week for 8 weeks, he said to ‘super saturate’ me before considering bone-growing meds for the osteoporosis.
The oxycontin time release worked for 2hrs then All the pain came rushing back and I had to take the generic vicodin anyway, so I quit taking the oxycontin, wanting to keep the number of opiates to a minimum.
I never took the Celebrex after reading the contraindications.
I cut the generic vicodin in 4 parts, not easy as is a small tablet, and take only those about 4-5x a day depending on level of activity. If I took a whole one I’d fall asleep. Level of pain w/ the approximately 2mg hydrocodone/vicodin, stays at about a 5-6, but I am functional and don’t feel stoned.
On the days I take the huge D2 dosage, I notice almost immediate pain relief, and thought I might be imagining it, til I checked online to find it IS a pain reliever at a mega dosage. The reason the Osteo Rx’d it was because it is far simpler to take 1 small pill twice a week, than a whole bottle of D 100′s, trying to get to the 50K level. But I suppose one could do that, buy the D2 or D3 OTC and take the entire bottle.
I don’t know why the D was Rx’d for only 2 months, then blood work for D levels required, but I Have read that there is no known toxic level of D, and I also asked the pharmacist if 50K D was high or unusual. He said no problem. I live in a very sunny climate and am a confirmed sunblock and long sleeves wearer, as everyone here who doesn’t cover up is a routine dermatology patient, having cancerous cells and areas removed. I’d rather take D orally, and I still take about 1K mg D OTC daily, in addition to the mega dose.
All the above is early stages of pain management for me, and won’t be reassessed for a month. In addition to specifying what meds I have tried, I wanted to verify that the mega D dosage Does provide pain relief, and I was Not told it might, so I am a good test subject. Have not notice relief from fybromyalgia or arthritis except somewhat on the mega D days.
Will follow this forum and hope others will share what meds they have tried and what, if anything has worked. Has anyone used the 12hr oxycontin Rx to good effect?
Kris, thank you for your message.
Unfortunately, we cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this correspondence. However, I have attached a couple of links to pages on our website that you may find helpful: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteoporosis/DS00128
http://www.mayoclinic.org/pain-rehabilitation-center-rst/
If you would like to seek help from Mayo Clinic, please call one of our appointment offices in Arizona at 480-301-1735; Florida, 904-953-0323; or Minnesota, 507-284-2511.
When I started on dialysis, they did a lot of bloodwork. They put me on 30000 units of D daily. In a fairly short time, I noticed pain relief, mostly in my knees. I could run up stairs! Switched units and that doc took my D away – I guess higher dosees can cause problems. I was kind of upset, because it had made my bones stop aching. The doc said I could take 2000 units a day. It was ok. Not much difference. Yesterday, I took 4000 and I was just noticing how much better I feel. I thought maybe it was in my mind, but found this site and a few others. I will tell the doctor of course.
I have been in pain for 6 1/2 years. My thoracic back pain is managed, although not well, by a pain clinic where I am prescribed Fentanyl transdermal patchs (25 mcg/hr.) and Tramadol for breakthrough pain. I also take Neurontin 800 mg. three times a day for “neuropathic pain”. All of the above do help reduce the pain, but I am rarely pain free. I had knee replacement 3 weeks ago and I also have fibromyalgia. I take Zoloft 100 mg. for depression that is most likely a result of the chronic pain and the narcotic medication.
I went to a new chiropractor today and he told me that I should take Vit. D at least 4000u/day because I am vegetarian and I live in a northern latitude and I avoid the sun because of a family history of melanoma. I am anxious to see if/when it helps my pain. I will follow this site to see how others are doing.
What do you think of estroven for hot flashes?
Gaby, we cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this correspondence. If you would like to seek help from Mayo Clinic, please call one of our appointment offices at mayoclinic.org
I had a knee injury almost two years ago. After initial surgery it was pretty good then June of 2010 had a fall that put me in alot of pain in my knee and hip. 5 months of physical therapy did nothing for my knee infact my pain was 7/10 most of the time. I work 12 shifts as RN and had a few nights that I would have to call my husband to come and help me out of my car when I got home. I remember crying from the pain and wished someone would just got my leg off above the knee. I saw my doctor and he ordered some test and xrays and one of the test my vit d was very low. He said he wanted to see it at least at 50 and I was 21. I started on 50,000 units of Vit D once a week for 5 weeks and by week 5 I had 1/10 pain even after gardening and working 4 12 hours shifts in a row!!! This is the best that I have felt in almost 18 months and I am very happy about the outcome. Now I take 3000 units a day and hope that life keeps being the best. As a Registered Nurse I am spreading the word!!
Although I am on and off high doses of Vitamin D per my doctor, I had no idea there is a relationship between that and fibro pain reduction, which I have in addition to osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis. My question is this; is a high level dose of Vitamin D taken daily harmful? I’d really like to take a lower dose of Arthrotec.
Barbara, Thanks for the question. We’ll forward your question and have a response as soon as possible
Interesting reading, i an 42 have 3 dessicated lumbar discs, two disc protrusions, peri-articular-sclerosis, osteoarthritis, no lumbar lordosis and all the other associated rubbish that goes along with that kind of diagnosis, i havent worked for 6 years due to pain, i have been prescribed oxycontin, morphine, fentanyl, plus loads of others, i have changed my diet, given up tobacco, tried cannabis, tried 5htp, high tryptophan diets, exercise, no exercise, been on a 3 week intensive back pain programme at the Royal National Orthapedic Hospital in London, i have tried everything as they say my condition is inoperable and i have been suffering in pain for many years now, i take 15mg slow release oxycontin(prescribed) twice daily at the moment , i live in london so dont get anywhere near enough sunlight and recently watched a you tube presentation by a Dr Holick about vitamin d called ” a d-e-lightful story”, very clever man and highly qualified, there is a brand of D3 called sunvit available from a popular health food chain here in england so i got a bottle, i worked out the bottle contained about 200,000 units and swallowed half the contents mixed in with a yohgurt drink(approx 100,000 units) , tasted good, knocked me out for about 3 hours, made me do lots of orangey burps which was a bit strange, that was 7 days ago ( i intend to dose every 4 weeks) , no reportable side effects, i still get acute pain and sciatia but the chronic, looming, depressing pain i had everyday has all but dissapeared, it seems so distant in my mind now, i am amazed after trying so many different methods that i seem to have found the holy grail of pain relief, it has gone from a debilitating 7-8/10 daily to a 2/10 , i can only hope it continues like this
I am 28 years old and have suffered from chronic upper body pain in my chest, ribs and back for about 1 and a half years no. I have seen about 10 different doctors and have had every scan and test done possible. I just got done with my 4th visit at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN and they told me that all they could find was that my Vitamin D was low at a level of 18. I was prescribed 50k units of Vitamin D once per week for 8 weeks and then to continue at 4k units a day indefinitely after that. So far I have only taken two pills and I have felt generally a little better but only time will tell. I have also recently started accupuncture as well as physical therapy only seemed to make things worse. I truly hope and pray that my story ends up as good as some of the other individuals on this blog. I had literally lost all hope after seeing so many doctors so many times, about 75-100 visits I’m sure in the last year. I wish everyone else good luck who is just starting out on their vitamin D regiment. Thank you for your comments.
I suffer from chronic pain which began with a severe car accident and spinal injuries and has developed into Fibromyalgia, arthritis, scoliosis, and severe spinal degeneration among other things. My experience for 25 years has shown that the patches do not address fibromyalgia pain but Tramadol WITH IBUprofen does. The combination seems to work together to reduce inflamation and pain together but neither works alone. The opiates also don’t seem to have much effect on osteo arthritis which I have in hands, spine, hips, knees, and ankles. There is a compound available by prescription called Ketoprofen which is in cream form that works well for immediate, short term arthritis pain (don’t bother with the gel form – it just crystalizes on the skin surface).
I am curious to know if any research has been done the other way around – chronic pain depleting Vitamin D? I have been taking vitamin D but recent blood tests reveal my levels are almost non-existant and there doesn’t seem to be any other correlating cause. I know several people who take vitamin D who have chronic pain issues who have been told to increase their intake because it is low also. Since Vitamin D deficiency affects the dopamine and seratonin levels as does light deficiency, it seems that perhaps chronic pain may be the reason my vitamin D levels are low and why persons with relief from chronic pain via vitamin D usage have to take such extremely high doses. Anyone know of any studies on causes of vitamin D deficiency other than familial or childhood ones – when adults are taking it regularly ?
I have been diagnosed with Hyperparathyroidism (also known as Hypercalcemia) These are Parathroid Glands four of them in the throat behind the Thyroid gland
(but no connection to that gland). The Parathyroid Glands have one function and that is to control Calcium. In 2002 My Internest drew Lab and the results came back at 10.5 and was flaged as HIGH on the Lab report No one called to tell me so I called my Doctor’s office and spoke to His RN, She told me that my calcium was a little high. So just last year, Dec.2011 I was able to get a referral to an ENDOCRINOLOGIST IN Memphis,TN. He did lots of Lab work and a bone scan before diagnosing me with Primary Hyperparathroidism. He then put me on 50,000IU Vitamin-D Once a week. I started having side effects from it and stopped taking it. Now I’ve been seen by my
ENT. (EAR,NOSE,THROAT DOCTOR). He had my Parathroid Hormon (PTH) level checked and it is now 93, the normal range is 15 to 88. I don’t have enough time to bore anyone with all of my symptoms but all of my symptoms started in 1988 after a spider or tick bite then later I was diagnosed with LUPUS.
COULD LOW VITAMIN-D BE THE CAUSE OF PARATHYROID DISEASE???
Can you tell us what type of side effects you had please?