Vit D supplements - Neurologists thoughts?

It will be interesting to see just how many neurologists are advising their patients to take Vit D without the patient asking the question first!!

My neuro has always tested my Vit D and other vitamin and mineral levels but has never suggested for me to take Vit D as a supplement. I guess this is because they are always in normal range.

I'm quite amazed that he hasn't asked whether I take it given that he knows and accepts that I use chinese medicine and other supplements.

He even writes in the letters to my GP acknowledging the benefits I receive from acupuncture as part of my MS treatment plan.

Good luck Amber, hope all goes well with your husband's visit with the neuro.

Hi Helen,

Even though MS is an autoimmune disease we have to see a neurologist because it affects our CNS. Just like RA is an autoimmune disease and sufferers must see a rheumatologist, same with people with diabetes must see an endocrinologist and the list goes on for autoimmune diseases.

Immunologists aren't trained in the actual areas of where the disease affects. Truthfully, I'd rather be in the hands of a neurologist trained in the CNS, then an immunologist for the monitoring of MS.

I agree, but don't think we'll see the day that neurologists will be trained immunologists but they should work closely hand in hand. The same goes for western and complimentary medicine, they should also work hand in hand.

I certainly don't limit myself to my neuro, or what he says, or what any of my specialists say. I ask many questions before making any decisions about drugs. I only take two western drugs, so to speak, and one daily because I have to for my heart. I probably wouldn't take that if I could, but the fact is the proof is there I must have it as I've seen what happens when I don't and certainly won't play with life and death! So to me western medicine plays an equally important role as complimentary.

But basically I'm pretty much an alternative medicine person and will take things that I know can't really harm me, that I can only benefit from. Hence, why I take Vit D. But I personally don't believe this will be the magical cure until it is proven to me. Sure I can see many benefits from taking it BUT I don't believe it is a cure!! or even the cause. That's just my opinion. When data comes through that can actually prove these theories, then I'm quite happy to believe it. But until then I question everything about MS, the cause, the treatment etc; and I will continue to do that until there is a cure and also it is caused.

My personal belief is that MS is caused through a number of factors, and that a virus could be the main predominating factor as to what triggers it. Just like people who end up with cardiomyopathy as a direct result of a virus. Not everyone who gets the virus will get this, but some people do - why? We still don't know that answer.

I believe it's the same with MS but there must be other factors involved as to why the virus does what it does. I also believe that hormones are going to play a huge role in MS as they unravel the mystery! These are just my beliefs just as you have your your beliefs. But it doesn't mean I can't challenge anything I choose, whether natural or synthetic substances etc;

I personally chose supplements and acupuncture over Copaxone because I had terrible reactions to it which made me question it even further. I had some rare reactions to it that I wasn't told about originally, nor were these things listed on the leaflet. Now I have to be monitored for a condition every 6 months because of this drug, and it was supposedly the drug with the least side effects. So you won't be seeing me doing near any western drug for MS for treatment UNLESS it is proven as a cure, or proven that it can actually stop relapses, and proven that the side effects don't away the benefits.

I'd love nothing more than to find out we could take a simple Vitamin such as Vit D (which in fact is really a hormone) to cure or stop advencement in MS. So far personally, I haven't seen any difference with taking Vit D. I was never deficient in the first place, so my levels should be a lot higher now. I had doubled my intake at the beginning of the year, so it'll be interesting to see on my blood test 2 weeks ago whether the levels have risen.

I guess the only way I'm going to be able to see personally whether it is working for me is when my levels increase, and my symptoms decrease etc; So time will tell.

Hi Kristy,

Research has suggested reduced disease activity which would include reduction in symptoms I would imagine, as it's when our brains are inflammed that we experience more debilitating symptoms, excepting of course where there is permanent damage to nerves where there is no reprieve from symptoms.

Research from Harvard University suggests that by taking supplements you reduce the chances of getting MS. However, in this latest book I am reading, called 'The Vitamin D Cure', there is no mention that it actually reduces relapse rates.

But I would imagine if it reduces disease activity that that would in fact reduce the severity of a relapse, and/or lengthen the time between relapses. Basically acting the same way as the DMD's claim to! Time will tell, but in this book there certainly isn't any indictation that Vit D is going to be a cure for MS, or stop MS from progressing.

This book suggests that by having the right amount of exposure to sun, correct diet and taking of Vit D supplements that one can prevent alot of diseases or reduce your odds considerably; MS included. I haven't read the book in its entirety yet. There are lots of facts and figures in it, that's for sure.