Gosh Paul its either feast or famine for you, awake all the time or asleep, could it be that your body is just catching up on the the nights spent awake with the high dose steroids. Have you had your thyroid levels checked?
Good news that the crp is down, that will be the steroids.
Best wishes
Sheila

Hi All

Some advice please if anyone knows the answer. As per this thread I have been diagnosed with really low Vitamin D levels so I have been prescribed Fultium D 800 IU Capsules for 30 days. They are not on repeat and I have not been asked to have another blood test.

I had to go to the doctors today as I have an infection in my toe (now on antibiotics) and I mentioned to the Nurse Practitioner if I should just take a 30 day course or should this have been on repeat. Her answer is "I do not know" so she told me to speak to Reception and ask for a GP call. I have spoken to Reception and they have no appointments available until the end of July (can you believe that?). So I went to the Chemist next door and asked if I could buy this over the counter but was told that this strength can only be prescribed by prescription. I have six tablets left.

Does anyone know if Vitamin D is normally just prescribed as a one off course or is it likely to be a long-term thing?

I expect I will have to get on the phone again tomorrow but wondered if anyone has any experience?

Jackie
x

Hi there,
Just to say that I have been prescribed Fultium D because of virtually non existent Vit D levels - 4 a day for 3 months. It seems a lot, but my consultant said this is normal for levels as low as mine.

Hope you can get an answer soon, does your GP not do telephone consultations? If I ring up early enough, a GP will always give a call back after surgery at my practice and they are happy to do this for things where they don't necessarily need to see patients.

Good luck with this and everything,
Lizx

Wow Jackie, that is not a good service:-( We are also 2 GPs down out of a total of 3, but they are at least providing locum GPs until the new ones start. Nurses can't do what doctors are authorised or able to do however good they are.

I think you are right and just have to keep ringing to try and get an answer. I can't remember if you have a good rheumy nurse helpine, as this may be another avenue for advice as it is all RA related?

Wishing you lots of luck,
Lizx

I agree with Sheila, Jackie. Make a bit of a nuisance of yourself or, alternatively, take yourself down to the surgery and refuse to move until you have spoken to someone. I just can't believe no-one is available to speak to you until the 31st July. I'm fuming on your behalf. If I ring my GP he always rings back that day before he goes home. Incidentally, I take 20,000 mgs of Vit D as Dekrisrol every month.

Hi, I've just had a check up with my rheumy nurse and she's requester my vitamin D to be tested in my next blood test for tiredness. I've also become sun sensitive with Methotrexate :-(

Louise

while we have this searing heat i sit out on my patio about now time, 4.30 ish onwards without being under the umbrella.

i think as long as i'm in the sunlight without it bearing down on me for short periods, then i am getting some natural Vitamin D, to be honest if i wasn't on RA drugs i couldn't cope in this heat in full sunlight for long anyway.

Suzanne