Comments on: Mayo Clinic Researchers Link Vitamin D and Chronic Pain Relief

By: Sandra Diebel

Sandra Diebel — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:13:48 +0000

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 ?

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:10:40 +0000

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.

By: Paul Mann

Paul Mann — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:32:29 +0000

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

By: Joel Streed

Joel Streed — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:23:20 +0000

Barbara, Thanks for the question. We’ll forward your question and have a response as soon as possible

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 19:10:50 +0000

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.

By: Jan

Jan — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 17:49:14 +0000

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!!

By: Joyce Groenke

Joyce Groenke — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:45:23 +0000

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

By: Gaby Arnold

Gaby Arnold — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 07:08:18 +0000

What do you think of estroven for hot flashes?

By: Juanita

Juanita — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:48:38 +0000

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.

By: DoverNH

DoverNH — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:54:24 +0000

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.