Make sure to have you vitamin levels checked!

NicoS
NicoS Member Posts: 4
in Living with arthritis

Hi guys,

In the first half of 2023 I complained to my GP about joint pains and stiffness. I was diagnosed with OA, and told to take NSAIDs. My pain got progressively worse over the year. I asked to see a rheumatologist, but was told it was more than 6 months to see him, and they wouldn't refer me for more x-rays, etc.

It takes about 6 weeks to get an appointment at my surgery, and since my first visit, I've seen four different doctors; because of case load there is very little continuity.

This progressed to peripheral neuropathy in my hands and feet, burning feet, and some of my toes started loosing feeling.

A couple of months ago, my vitamin B and D was tested (about a year after my first symptoms). Around the same time I paid some hundreds of pounds to see the specialist privately.

The rheumatologist made it clear that I have no signs of arthritis. I have very low vitamin D and B, which is a probable cause.

The very next day, I slipped and broke my tibia and fibula. I am now several weeks down the line and not much healing has happened.

The point of this post: ask you GP to include these tests in your blood work - you have nothing to lose. They are doing their best but are under immense pressure, sometimes things aren't picked up.

Good luck on your individual journeys,

Nico

Comments

  • Naomi33
    Naomi33 Moderator Posts: 462

    Thank you @NicoS for your advice and sorry to hear your about your journey.

    Onwards and upwards as they say.

    Best wishes @Naomi33

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm


  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764

    Hi @Nico and thanks for the heads up Many of us older ones take a daily Calcium and Vit D supplement to protect our bones but I guess vitamin deficiencies can affect younger people too. Here's what the NHs says:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/

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  • jamieA
    jamieA Member Posts: 837

    Hi @NicoS

    Do you take a proton pump inhibitor with your NSAIDs - something like omeprazole? The reason I ask is that in the first year of my psoriatic arthritis I was prescribed NSAIDs and omeprazole. I ended up with anaemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency and subsequently vitamin D deficiency. It appears that PPIs can cause these deficiencies. The PPI was stopped and I was put on a course of cobalamin for the B12 and then vitamin D tablets for that deficiency. As I live in the west of Scotland with it's sunshine levels my GP actually suggested I take 400IU vitamin D daily ongoing - which I do.

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