Sorry to hear this Jackie - yet more to contend with.

I may be able to help with the Vit D levels. It was discovered I had a severe Vit D deficiency back in May, but this was picked up with a Parathyroid Hormone level test and not, as far as I know, by a routine blood test. My PTH levels were twice as high as "normal" and I am now on a 20,000icu Colecalciferol capsule twice per month. The downside is that this sends the calcium levels up so I am having extra blood tests to keep an eye on this. The rheummy reckons this deficiency was adding to my exhaustion levels so we'll see how it goes.

I suspect it does have something to do with RA as it seems fairly common amongst patients. I am sure it is all connected to not being able to sit in the sun as much as we would like. Of course, when on MTX, sitting in the sun isn't an option, so we don't really have much choice!!

Good luck and I'll be very interested to hear how you get on.

Lots of love
Jeanxx

When I was first diagnosed I was told I needed to take Vitamin D tablet morning and night.
Mine were called Adcal. However, I have not taken any for a year now and am not sure if
I still need them though. When I sent in for a repeat prescription about a year ago, it came
back saying that Adcal by itself is not 'enough', but I have never asked him about it again.
I was at Docs yesterday so I am sure if it was a problem he would have mentioned it to me !
Who knows.

I feel that it does go hand in hand with RA an auto immune disease.

Sorry to hear you have something else to worry about I hope things turn out ok
for you soon.

Rose

Jean,

Why aren't we allowed to sit in the sun?

I didn't know this.

Trace xx

Thank you Tony.

It's something I think I need to read up on.

Trace

Well how odd, I was sitting in the chemist waiting for my barrow load prescription and reading a leaflet about osteoporosis and vitimin D. It also said that having RA means we are at a greater risk of having osteoporosis too. Glenys.

Tracy

Sorry I have only just got back to you but I have been away. I cannot sit in the sun as the Methotrexate has made me extremely sensitive to the sun. I had to go and see a dermatologist and apparantly it is quite a common side effect. I was told to wear factor 50 all year round and even on a dull day like today if I do not put it on I can feel my skin burning.

Jean - I am definitely going to investigate this because as you say it is important to catch it early if it is going to damage my bones more. I know I already have osteoporosis as this was diagnosed many years ago in my spine, but nothing is said about this. I had a hysterectomy when I was 34 following birth complications but they did leave my ovaries intact. I am now 48 and was told I would go through an early menopause but still waiting. Obviously this can also affect bones.

Will keep you posted.

Jackie
xx

Jackie, thanks for bringing this up, I have the same problems with the sun. Strangely though, I have always been sensitive to the sun and my skin flares badly and makes me feel achy and sick. I was told when diagnosed that lupus was a possibility. Never had vit D levels tested so far as I know, had an appt with consultant yesterday, wish I had read this sooner!! will ask gp about testing. Hope you are ok, take care x

Hello All

I have has the results of my second blood tests and I have a Vitamin B12 deficiency which has lead to Pernicious anaemia . Speaking to the doctor it all fits perfectly on why I have felt even more unwell than normal. I have taken the following extract from the internet:-

"The symptoms of vitamin B12-deficiency anaemia include:

feeling very tired
breathlessness after little exercise
palpitations - the sensation of feeling your heartbeat thumping in your chest
headaches
a reduced appetite
a sore mouth and tongue

If you have vitamin B12-deficiency anaemia, you may also look pale or jaundiced (have a yellowy tinge to your skin and the whites of your eyes).

As well as the symptoms of anaemia, vitamin B12-deficiency may cause symptoms related to your nerves. This is called vitamin B12 neuropathy. It may affect your movement and sensation, especially in your legs, cause numbness or 'pins and needles' and decrease your sensitivity to touch, vibration or pain. It can also cause confusion, depression, poor concentration and forgetfulness.

Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is a condition caused by antibodies from your immune system attacking your body. Your immune system mistakes your own tissue as foreign and attacks it, causing inflammation. If you have pernicious anaemia, the inflammation happens in the lining of your stomach.

The exact reasons why you may develop pernicious anaemia aren't fully understood at present. It tends to run in families and is most common in people over 60. It affects more women more than men. If you have another autoimmune disease, such as Addison's disease, you may be more likely to develop pernicious anaemia."


Just when I thought I would not have to inject any more I am going to have to have B12 injections. I just need to get tomorrow's first round of Rituximab out of the way then they will tackle this.

I have also read that taking Folic Acid (which we all do with Methotrexate) can mask the condition.

I am thankful that they have diagnosed this as I could not understand why I was feeling so unwell outside of the normal RA. Oh well another thing to add to the never ending list.

Jackie
xx