I've seen this vary on the Internet. How much has your rheumy or pcp told you to take daily? I also take 2,000 iu of vit D daily but for the life of me can't remember how much calcium daily I'm supposed to take. I've heard taking prednisone depletes your calcium and just started only 5mg of prednisone daily.
Thanks!My doctor didn't really mention anything about calcium to me. But I do take a calcium antacid regularly since it helps with my icky tummy when I take my pain medication.I have been on 40mg of prednisone a day for about 2 months and today was the first time the nurse at my doctors office mentioned vitamin D and calcium to me. I forgot to ask how much but she did say I could get it over the counter. I would be interested in what other people are taking also. Also my doctor is lowering my dosage of prednisone. I'm glad to get off of this stuff because it only helps for the first few weeks after he raises the dose. And in the last 4 months I've been on it I have gained 30 lbs and my blood pressure has gone through the roof. But when I have tried to lower the dose I have had a bad flare. He wants me to lower my dose 10mg a week til I'm down to 10mg a day. I'm worried I'll be bed ridden. Isn't that too fast too soon? If I accidently miss a dose I have a flare. Any ideas? I'm interested in hearing other stories about coming off of prednisone. Thanks.I take 400 of vit D every day.
Thanks, I'm really scared about this. I have trouble with my daily activities so the thought of being in such a bad flare is scary. I will start Enbrel next week so hopfully that will counter the prednisone reduction. What is the highest prednisone you have come off of?
My highest has been 40 but I have it between 10 and 15 now.
I don't take prednisone, but I do take 1200mg calcium and 400iu vitamin D daily. I have osteopenia and the nurse practitioner recommended the dosage. I also drink plenty of milk. The calcium and vitamin d intake sure does differ with everyone. Melissa when I was first diagnosed with RA my dr said a lot people with immune disorders have very low vit D levels and had me take 50,000 iu per week for several weeks until my vit d levels were normal again. He now says 2,000 iu daily . He mentioned how important vit D is and can actually cause pain , more sickness and more problems from not having enough and your calcium can't be obsorbed putting you at wrisk for fractures etc. If you don't have enough vit d/ calcium. Also said while on prednisone it's so important to take calcium becuase it steals calcium from your body. Like others have said it sounds normal to taper the way your dr is doing but I understand how scary it might be for you. My dr tried getting me on enbrel and said it takes some people a while to chose to go that route but once they do they've told her they can't believe they waited this long and feel so much better so let's hope the enbrel will be really good for you! 1200mg of calciumI eat a couple of Rolaids (calcium + magnesium) when I think about it. From what I've read .......for 750 mg calcium.. you need to take at least 400 IU of D.... for best absorption.. You can take more D... but that is the amount needed to absorb that daily recommmended dose of Calcium. Wouldn't your vitamin D requirement depend on how much time you spend in the sun? I wonder if there's a formula for that. [QUOTE=cataholic]Wouldn't your vitamin D requirement depend on how much time you spend in the sun? I wonder if there's a formula for that.[/QUOTE]