Tapering off Entocort and D3

suzieq · Post by **suzieq** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 1:58 pm

Hi all,

I've been tapering off Entocort and did it a little too fast I guess, so I went back to the drawing board. I'm currently taking 3 mg every other day and if all goes well, I'll take 3 mg one day, skip 2 days and then so on.

I have osteoporosis and have faithfully been taking calcium everyday. I recently choked on the calcium, it's a big dry pill. I thought I was going to die. I could breathe but it was stuck, I was wheezing and it took awhile for it to finally dissolve after drinking a lot of water and coughing until all my muscles ached. I started cutting the pills in half and that didn't help much, I had a few get stuck, so now I don't want to take them. I was told that the calcium doesn't really help much and that vitamin D3 was more important. Can anyone recommend a brand of Vitamin D3 that doesn't contain soy? I haven't been able to find a soy free brand.

My new primary care referred me to a rheumatologist for my osteoporosis, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. First, they couldn't see me until April and 2nd they don't treat fibromyalgia. I didn't make the appointment. Because of my health plan through healthcare.gov here in NC, I am limited to which specialists I can see. My new GI dr. I will see after a 3 month wait, in the end of January. The Primary care is the one who prescribed the Entocort.

Thanks,
Susanne

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 2:05 pm

now foods Vit D3 with Vit K

capsules (not the spray)
http://au.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Vitamin-D ... Caps/10056

Post by **tex** » Wed Dec 16, 2015 3:49 pm

Susanne,

I sometimes have problems swallowing dry pills and tablets also, so I try to avoid them whenever possible. I've been using Freeda 3,000 IU D3 tablets (2 per day, and they are free of all allergens), but I'm going to switch to Doctor's Best 5,000 IU softgels after I use up the rest of my stock on hand, because even though the Freeda D3 tablets are small (smaller than an aspirin), they're so dry and abrasive that they don't always go down easily. The Doctor's Best softgels contain virgin olive oil, rather than soy oil. I never have any problems with softgels/capsules. If you don't have any problems with small dry tablets, then the Freeda D3 would be safe to take.

These days, a lot of foods contain calcium, so that as long as we have enough D3 and magnesium in circulation, absorbing plenty of calcium shouldn't be a problem. If you use any almond milk, for example, it contains at least as much calcium as cow's milk. If I recall correctly, that's true of coconut milk also.

Tex

suzieq · Post by **suzieq** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 12:12 pm

Hi Tex and Babes,

Thank you!!! I ordered Doctors Best 5,000 IU D3 from Amazon, got them today. No trouble taking one. I just need to figure out how much to take in a day.

I need to up Calcium from foods. I don't like the Almond milk, I'll try the Coconut or Cashew milk instead.

Thanks again. A MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!!!!

Susanne

Post by **tex** » Sun Dec 20, 2015 1:33 pm

Susanne,

Unless you know (by test results) that you are vitamin D deficient, 1 per day should be adequate at your latitude. Of course taking an additional capsule once or twice a week during the wintertime certainly shouldn't hurt anything. The average person supposedly uses approximately 5,000 IU daily, according to the Vitamin D Council.

Have you tried the Vanilla flavored almond milk? IMO it tastes much, much better than the bland original version. I don't like the Original version of Silk Almond Milk at all, but the Silk Vanilla Almond Milk is delicious, according to my taste buds.

I hope you have a delightful Christmas too, and the New Year brings you health and happiness.

You're most welcome,
Tex