Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Anxiety attacks. Recovering from Vitamin D defiiency

This is the only place I have come across where "How i'm feeling" could be understood.

I am 29 years old, and 3.5 months ago I was told I am vitamin d deficient. Out of the blue I started feeling very tired, and achy and lightheaded. I thought it might just be stress (I was mid-job hunting, and hated my current employment) I thought it would go away, but it slowly got worse. Symptoms of "what the hell is wrong with me?" kept building one on top of the other.

(I'm sure you are familiar with this list)
Symptoms:

- Fatigue (couldn't even walk down a flight of stairs without wanting to just sit and rest)
- Lightheadedness (I thought I would faint on a few occasions)
- Lower back pain
- Joints hurting
- Muscles cramping
- Muscles twitching (occasional)
- Appetite decreased
- Lethargic
- Brain fog
- Had trouble having conversations (Couldn't find the right words?)
- Headaches/pressure (occasional)
- Chest tightness, followed by harder breathing...
- ...Anxiety
- Pins and needles

I'm sure there is more, but its hard to keep track of it all.

So here is my story:
I felt like my body was falling apart one day and made an appointment to see the doctor. I had just had a cold, and I thought it may have turned out to be some god awful virus. The doctor (NP) did a bunch of tests, Thyroid, mono, lyme disease, the list goes on... and the only thing he said was abnormal was my vitamin D. My levels were at 20 (not as bad as some of you i've read about!) He prescribed 50,000iu of D3 once a week for one month. I spent a week at home, in bed, just resting after starting my D3. I felt better (able to function) by the end of the week and went back to work the next Monday. Things were okay for a few weeks. I was still not me, at all, but I felt "okay". Then after my 50,000iu was done, I started taking 1,000-2,000iu per day. It was a roller coaster. I had my good days, and my bad days. I also didn't have any information from my doctor. 2 months later I went in for another blood test because suddenly the bad days took over my life again. My levels went up to 35 and in her eyes, my body was perfectly fine.... she just told me i'm depressed and prescribed anti-depressants (which I will not take). I feel like most doctors aren't very knowledgable about Vitamin D deficiency. I had no answers, and no reassurance from her. This forum has really been helping me get through the bad days... everything I know, and have learned came from here. I am now taking 2,000-3,000iu daily, plus a Magnesium/calcium supplement. Plus multivitamins.

NOw a new thing that has been bothering me for a couple of weeks... my chest tightness came back, and my anxiety has been through the roof. I have had 2 anxiety attacks in 3 days, and I am not sure if its just a symptom of this all, or if I should be worried? (worry, is probably not going to help...)

Thanks in advance for replies :)

5 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Thanks for all the recommendations!

I have gotten plenty of tests done, and everything else comes back normal. I drink plenty of water. I eat very healthy. I am young and In pretty good shape besides the deficiency. I do take magnesium with my vitamin d and I take a. Epsom salt bath once a week. I plan on see a new doctor within the next couple weeks and have more tests.
All I know so far is everything else that can be determined by bloodwork checks out fine. My heart is fine. My lungs are fine. I haven't had a blood test for almost 2 months now, so I think my next step is to recheck my levels and go from there.
Helpful - 0
4851940 tn?1515694593
Be aware that overdosing on Vitamin D can be just a dangerous as not having enough.

A lot of the symptoms that you have can also be caused by other medical conditions.  I presume that your blood tests also checked for iron and Vitamin B12 deficiencies and your blood pressure has been checked out.  If you have not been checked for glucose intolerance that may be worth doing.

Some of the symptoms can also be from bacterial or viral infections.

Pins and needles can be from nerve damage (through diabetes and other conditions) low Vitamin B complex and especially Vitamin B12 as well as referred pain from problems in the spine.  It will depend where you feel your pins and needles as to which part of the spine may be the cause.  Pins and needles in your hands and fingers may be caused by compression of tendons in the wrist (carpal tunnel), especially if you do a lot of repetitive work with your hands.  Pins and needles in the little finger could indicate a problem in the neck.  Pins and needles in your legs and feet may be caused by problems in the lower back.

It may also be a good idea to get your heart checked out, if this has not been done.

A lot of the symptoms that you describe can be caused by anxiety and stress and any underlying medical condition can also be exacerbated (made worse)  by anxiety, stress and depression.  

For muscle cramping you may consider taking magnesium.  Ensure too that you drink plenty of fluids and especially water. 2 litres a day is usually recommended.  You may also benefit from taking baths with Epsom Salts.  Epsom Salts contain magnesium that is absorbed through the skin.  As Epsom Salts are drying, put some baby oil into your bath, but take care not to slip.  Epsom Salts can be purchased from the web and you would need to put in a big cupful into your bath for any benefit.  This also helps to help ease any muscle tensions too.

Keep a written diary of your symptoms to see if there is a pattern when your symptoms are worse or when you feel better. This is to establish whether there is a link to your menstrual cycle.  

Ensure that you have a healthy and well balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.  Drink plenty of fluids, especially water - 2 litres a day is usually recommended, more if you sweat a lot.  Cut out or cut down on junk food, processed foods (white bread), sugary foods like chocolates, sweets, cakes, biscuits.  Cut out or cut down on fizzy drinks and alcohol.  If you do notice that your symptoms are much worse around 10 days before your menstrual cycle, consider taking Evening Primrose oil.  You can purchase this from large supermarkets in the medicine section or from your herbal shop.

Don't assume that your symptoms are that of Vitamin D deficiency.  As your vitamin D levels are now fine, and should you continue to feel unwell, make an appointment to see your doctor for a further evaluation to rule out other possible causes.

Hope you start to feel well soon.

Best wishes.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
That is a great article! Thanks!
New England Climate... not ideal. I hate winter/fall when the days get shorter.

I take about 2000IU of my D3 in liquid (drops) form and then I take 1000IU in solid form before bed.
Thanks for the kind words! Even though I know whats causing this lunacy with my body, its hard to mentally convince myself that thats all it is... which also contributes to the anxiety.

Its scary. The anxiety attacks make it even more scary. Its a vicious cycle. Feeling unwell, worrying, worrying enough to feel more unwell. Oye, its madness!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Here is a great article on Vitamin D:

If You Take Oral Vitamin D You MUST Avoid Making This Serious Mistake

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/02/23/oral-vitamin-d-mistake.aspx

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Low Vitamin D symptoms can be horrific and it will take you 6 months to 12 months before you fully recover. Even after your Vitamin D has returned to a normal level, it will be several months after that before you will feel consistently better. Also, the road to recovery is not a linear progression of improvement. You will have many days of ups and downs in which you feel better some days and then worse the next.

Your Vitamin D level of 35 is not optimal neither. Most articles I have read indicate a normal "optimal" Vit D range of 40 - 70 Ng/Ml. I would suggest you take at least 4,000 IU of Vitamin D3 daily during the Winter months.  Not sure if you live in a warm climate area but getting sunshine is the best way to increase and maintain Vitamin D levels.

Also, many of us have suffered the anxiety issues that come along with low Vitamin D. Having many bizarre symptoms for a long time only increases the anxiety. Stay positive, take your Vit D and note it will take you a long time before you are fully well (maybe a year).
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Vitamin D Community

Top General Health Answerers
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.