Expert: Suzan Jackson - 7/17/2009

Question
This may not be exactly in your line of expertise, but I'm seeking an answer, and hopefully you'll consider giving me an answer.  I was diagnosed with fibro about 5 years ago, and am on disability.  My dr did a vitamin D level two weeks ago and it was 15 (normal is over 40).  She has placed me on a D supplement 50,000 units to be taken weekly.  My symptoms are very troublesome:  I am female, 53, with hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, terrible insomnia, fibromyalgia, hypertension and depression which was under control until the last 3-4 months, with TERRIBLE mood swings. My question is will getting my D level up help any of these?  I know there is recent studies that D can help with musculoskeletal pain of fibro, as well as heart health and even cases of psychosis and schizophrenia have shown improvement.  I'm a nurse, so you can be as technical as you wish in your answer. Thanks in advance.

Answer
Dear Patricia -

I apologize for the delay - we were on vacation, and, with my kids home from school for the summer, my computer time has been very limited!

I don't know much about vitamin D or fibromyalgia.  Like most people, I've read heard a lot about vitamin D in the news lately - it seems that every new research study finds another result of D deficiency.  Studies have certainly found that it affects the immune system, so I imagine that a D deficiency would have a significant effect on someone with CFS and/or fibro.  Supplementing with D is certainly worth a try.

Something else to consider is that your age combined with your new symptoms sound an awful lot like menopause to me.  Again, I'm certainly no expert, but new onset of night sweats, hot flashes, and insomnia at 53 fit the profile for menopause.

Here is a website with some great information on fibromyalgia:

http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer

And here is an excellent website with LOTS of archived articles on both CFS and FM, including all the latest research.  I'm sure they have plenty of info on vitamin D, too - just use their search function:

www.prohealth.com

Sorry I couldn't be of more help - I'm just not very familiar with the topics you asked about.  best of luck to you in finding some relief and improvement -

Sue Jackson
www.livewithcfs.blogspot.com