Location: eleven miles north of the MT/WY boarder off I-90 in Wyola Montana (where men are men and sheep live in constant fear.
Posts: 18
Vitamin D Study
Hi There Gang...
I've got a new VA Doc who wants to do a Vitamin study.
Okay, so what's that all about?
I've had MRI's, which I understand to a point until it's confusing.
I've had CAT scans which I also understand to a point, until it's confoosing as well.
But Vitamin D study?
I've heard of it, but what does it show, if anything.
Is there a concern for lower Vitamin levels that affect the spine, or do I have a Vitamin happy Doctor on my hands?
My current problems are as follows and I hope I don't leave anything out, 'cause sometimes I forget all that's wrong... Bulging and or herniated discs at C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6, L-3. Weakened discs at L-4/L-5 (herniation is no longer present on MRI, however, discs are still not up to snuff). spondlyolothesis(incorrect spelling, it means that my L-5 vertebra has shifted forward of my spinal column) L-5 Ruptured disc at L-5/S-1[/U] with two fragments impinging on both sciatica nerve roots. DDD Degenerative Disc Disease through out entire spine. Mylopathy (incorrect spelling---again! deterioration of mylen covering spinal chord) at cervical and lumbar regions. Stenosis at C-5, C-6, T-4, L-4, L-5. Bone spurs at C-5, C-6. Wheel chair bound for distances further than forty feet or the length of my trailer house. In my 60's, if the above isn't bad enough, add older age benefit.
The new doctor may be trying to figure out why you have problems at so many different levels of your spine. This study would in no way help correct the current issues but would perhaps explain why they have occurred and perhaps, if it reveals any significant findings, might prevent further damage in the future.
There is an article on the sister site of Healthboards where you can learn more about vitamin D deficiencies:
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Posts: 701
Re: Vitamin D Study
Ouch -- sorry you have so many problems at so many different levels. I went to a rheumatologist to try to determine whether I had a systemic joint problem before I committed myself to more surgery. The rheumatologist checked lots of things, including Vitamin D. The D was the only amiss (it was REALLY low), so he recommended that I take a daily dose that exceeds the RDA until I got caught up. Within three days, my energy levels had returned to normal.
I wouldn't involve myself in such a study unless I had a low blood levels of Vitamin D. It seems likely that you don't go outside much, so I'm guessing that you aren't getting D from the sun. (I have atypical nevi syndrome, so going out in the sun was not an option to correct my D.)
Did the new Doc discuss your levels with you? Or is he recommending mega-doses with no current deficiency?
Low levels of vitamin D are thought to cause osteomalacia which is a softening of the bones. Women are more susceptable than men. It would seem that women with low levels of vitamin D are more likely to aquire low back pain. Unfortuately D supplements don't seem to help. Best get your body into the sunshine as Sweetpea says, but not today at least in Canada!
James
A lot of spine surgeons will test your Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is necessary for your body to properly use calcium. Especially if you will be having a spine fusion, it's necessary that your Vitamin D levels be in the normal range for the bone to grow properly to create a fusion. During winter months and further away from the equator it's common to have low levels of Vitamin D.
FYI that you also should be taking a calcium supplement if you are taking a vitamin D supplement, as your body will take calcium out of your bones if you don't have enough calcium in your bloodstream yet have Vitamin D there.
The Following User Says Thank You to twohands For This Useful Post: SweetPeainSF (02-06-2012)
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Posts: 701
Re: Vitamin D Study
That probably explains why my calcium was just a tad under (0.2 under the desired level) when I had my pre-op blood testing done. I have since been taking a calcium/Vitamin D combo pill.
This is an interesting topic. Almost everyone I know was vit. D deficient after spine surgery. The thing is, most of us do not know if we were deficient prior to surgery because it wasn't tested.
Location: eleven miles north of the MT/WY boarder off I-90 in Wyola Montana (where men are men and sheep live in constant fear.
Posts: 18
Re: Vitamin D Study
Quote:
Originally Posted by tetonteri66
The new doctor may be trying to figure out why you have problems at so many different levels of your spine. This study would in no way help correct the current issues but would perhaps explain why they have occurred and perhaps, if it reveals any significant findings, might prevent further damage in the future.
There is an article on the sister site of Healthboards where you can learn more about vitamin D deficiencies:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/vitamin-d-deficiency
Two Hands, thanks for the info got a call from my Doc's RN today and she told me the V-D study showed extremely low V-D levels, I'm being placed on two Vitamin D supplements, one to be taken twice a week, the other on a daily basis.
These are not in preparation for surgery, nor are they for post surgery, as I am not a candidate for such a procedure, which has to do with my condition being non-service connected, as well as age related (62) as the Regional Medical Center (which would do the procedures) has but two Ortho-Docs (your tax money not at work!).
Your info is much helpful and what with what I've read about low Vitamin D levels, I'm fairly confident that I'll be feeling much better in the future, as the old saw goes, "it can't hurt'.
Now then what I've learned so far from reading these postings, is that the low D is responsible for my equally low calcium levels, which helps me to understand why my CT scans show that my vertebra appear to be dissolving...but perhaps that's another problem to be solved at a later time.
Location: eleven miles north of the MT/WY boarder off I-90 in Wyola Montana (where men are men and sheep live in constant fear.
Posts: 18
Re: Vitamin D Study
Tetoneri66: Thanks for the info on the site at WebMD, it never occurred to me to look there, but then you learn something every day so long as you listen or read what people have to say.
Since she's a new Doc for me, my other one had to semi-retire as he's out now for back problems, as he just had surgery for lower back problems, gee that sounds familiar...anyway she's replacing him.
As I said in my reply to Two Hands, I'm not a candidate for surgery due to age and non-service connected disability, but that being said, if there is any relief from the pain I suffer from in my legs and lower back after taking these supplements that would be just ducky for me.
Vitamin D Study 
