Vitamin D3

Ok folks, wasn't there some discussion about this recently?  I got my labs back and my Vit D is 16 which is low.  So he wrote me an rx for Vit D3 and I go to Walgreens and they want $168 for 90 tablets.  Is this what it's going to cost me?  Is there another source?

I also talked to him about nsaids and rx anti-inflammitories such as the one I take, Mobic.  I asked why I wasn't given any information about avoiding these drugs after wls.  He said I could take them when I need them but to be sure to eat first so I have food in my pouch. They can cause problems but usually only if you take them on an empty stomach or take them excessively.  Comments anyone?

As far as D3 goes, I take 1000 IU but it's just OTC stuff (NatureMade) and it doesn't cost that much ... I usually buy it when it's buy one get one free at either Walgreens or Meijer, and often I have a coupon. I don't know what you were given ... is it an extremely high dose that it has to be a prescription?

As for anti-inflammatories, I was told not to take them at all. So I suffered through (with arthritis and fibromyalgia). At one point, my knee doc wanted me to take Celebrex to help with the inflamed tendon I had, and I called my bariatric doctor to ask for permission; he said fine, but to take Nexium or Prilosec or something like that along with it (I already take Nexium twice a day for Barrett's Esophagus, so that wasn't a problem). But the Celebrex did nothing for me after a month, so I quit it (besides, it was expensive!).

I guess I wonder why your doc didn't tell you about the NSAIDs ... I would be asking your doctor that. They are supposedly very irritating to our pouches, even with food or PPIs (Nexium, etc).

You don't say what strength D3 the Dr. gave you but you need the dry D3 because we can't digest the oil the other is in. You can get it at Vitalady in several strengths.  Here's just one..... www.vitalady.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi

The D3 they prescribed is 50,000 IU's, once a day for 3 weeks then every other day for 3 months. I think the D3 is supposed to be between 30-90 but not sure. Like an idiot I picked up my lab paperwork with some other stuff and threw it away today at work. I'll have to call and have them send me another copy.

Vitalady??     Paul??

Bariatric Advantage, Vitalady and I'm sure others, have it in 50,000 IU's.  tinyurl.com/lc3pen

Before my surgery, about a year ago, I was very low D and I got a prescription also - it was D3
50,000 IUs.  I think I took one a day for two weeks and then one a week til the end.  People
actually die from low D - we read about it in the NY Times - there is a movement on to get to be part of of a regular blood test, e.g. during an annual checkup.

Then I had it tested 3 months later - fine.

Three months ago - tested again and way back down.  A little higher than you.  I'm now
taking Nature's Bounty from CVS 1,000 dry D3  tablets - very easy swallow - small and oval - I'm
staggering two a day so I get 2,000.  They're about $8 a bottle of maybe 120.  I haven't gotten
a towfer yet - tho I did on my multivitamins. 

I feel so much better - chipper - more energy - but just a better overall feeling.  I'll test again in 3 months.

I'm not buying expensive supplements anymore.  A  decision that I've come to.  It's either that or not.   I take about ten a day I guess aside from the prescriptions.

Good luck, Barbara!

Katherine B

There was a similar discussion on the Michigan board about this, and a woman named Pam who, I guess, is an expert on deficiencies and in particular, Vit D deficiencies. Here's the link:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/MI/3953883/Vit-D-Def/

She had some really interesting things to say. Hope that helps!

Thank you all for your input on this. 

Eileen the website you gave me was very informative.

I ordered some D3 from Vitalady. Not too bad. $30.00 including tax for 100 tablets.  Can't seem to find the 50000 iu's any cheaper.  Hope I don't die before they get here. 

I've ordered from Vitalady before; she ships out pretty fast.