[lafemelle]

Well, my follow-up with my doctor was yesterday. I don't have a vitamin D deficiency, although I am very close--the normal range is 30-100, and my level is at 31. So for now, my doctor is thinking that's not the cause of the problem. She's going to have me start taking 2000 IU's per day just to see if it makes a difference, but she doesn't think my D level is related to my symptoms at all. For now, she's put me on one more round of the duricef so we can see if it clears up my symptoms for a second time; if it does, we'll know we're closer to a solution, and if it doesn't, we know we're way off track once again. I'm really discouraged...I was hoping, after reading those med journals about vitamin D and DIV, that solving my problem might be that simple. My doctor kept on telling me, "We're going to figure this out, we're not giving up, we'll keep at it until we find out what's going on." But it's hard to stay positive about it after all this time.

[Sarah001]

It still might be the problem, I know some vitamin deficiencies can cause alot of symptoms in sensitive people when they are at "borderline" levels so hang in there, it still might make a difference as your reading is definitely borderline.

[mysticmom]

Desquamative inflammatory vaginitis

First time posting to this forum, but have been reading for a few weeks. I too have had multiple positive tests for strep B--clindamycin provided relief but my symptoms of burning/discharge always returned. Yesterday I saw a specialist who my gynecologist referred me to, as she specializes in vulvar disorders. She quickly diagnosed me with desquamative inflammatory vaginitis (DIV). She said the treatment of choice is a combination of clyndamycin AND topical steroid, made into vaginal suppositories and inserted nightly times three weeks. She said the reason I had some benefit from clyndamycin is that it is part of the treatment, but won't treat the inflammation which is causing the burning an discharge. A compounding pharmacy is now making up the suppositories, and hopefully they will work. You can google DIV for more info--it wasn't a term I had ever heard of, and not something my gynecologist had ever mentioned. Hope this helps!

[amelillo13]

Well, thought I'd check in. I had my vitamin D levels rechecked a few days ago, and I'm still waiting for the results. I'm kind of hoping they are still abnormal, that way I can feel better about the condition not having improved, and blame it on that.

Anywho, same old. Still on the Clindamycin once a week. The lidocaine has helped tremendously with being able to insert the applicator without pain. Aside from that, I've been battling a sinus infection, inner ear infection and bronchitis for a week now, and was put on Zithromax for all that. I was hoping it might help the vaginal problem too, since I was prescribed this for the BV in the past, but no luck there either

This problem is reaaaaaalllly getting old.

[amelillo13]

Ok, so, my blood work results came in the mail today. They never tell me a number, but it still says "abnormal", with a hand written note next to it saying "vitamin D still a little low. continue taking 800 iu a day. re-check in 6 months."

so...I guess I got what I asked for? I wonder why it's still low. Whoever was saying before that their Vit D was low, Lafemelle? You said yours was borderline on the low side and they started you on 2000 iu? That seems like so much. I've been on 800 this whole time and they said it was abnormally low. Kind of confused, wish I could see the actual number for it =/ I mean, what does still a "little" low mean. What is 'low' to these people? Arg.

[ItsASecret]

what does still a "little" low mean. What is 'low' to these people?

Low is when you dip below the recommended vitamin D level coursing through your body which is rougly 50-70 ng/ml. What this number means is the vitamin D level that is in your blood and therefore easily measurable. We use about 3000-4000 IU of vitamin D every day just due to the body's function and physiology...and much of that is already provided by natural sunlight or diet which is why not everyone needs to take supplements.

When they say you are "low on vitamin D" it means your body is likely using up that 3000-4000 IU before you can replenish it so they tell you to up your levels by adding the supplements. Not everyone is going to need the same volume of supplements to get your levels back within 'normal' range. These values again are subjective and differ for absolutely everyone so one person needing 2000 IU a day in extra supplements does not mean the next person does...they may need an extra 500 IU a day to keep their vitamin D topped off. I would not worry about needing to maintain the 800 IU even if someone else has 2000 IU, what will matter is checking in with your doctor in the 6 months to see if your vitamin D is being raised. And if it is not going up you can discuss with your doctor if you can begin taking a higher dose.

[amelillo13]

I called the office and they straightened it out. They said normal is 32-100, and initially I was at 24, but now I am at 30. So, whatever.

[lafemelle]

Yes, amelillo, my level was at 31 when they tested and she told me she'd like me to take 2000 IU daily to see if it changes my symptoms at all. I was going to see how the second round of antibiotics went before I started it, but they seem to be doing me absolutely no good this time around, so it'll be interesting to see what she says at my follow-up appointment next week.

I agree, this is getting old. I want my old body back. I'm so depressed.

[Dezerya18]

call me crazy, but.....three months ago i figured BV was either due to hormones or the blood feeding the bacteria during your period....SO, i got on seasonique to eliminate the "blood" and regulate hormones at the same time. I have been BV free since. I actually took a dose of Flagyl before starting to BC because i wanted to make sure that the bacteria was DEAD...I am pretty much convinced it is hormone related because i missed two pills and whalah! got my period. I've been lightly bleeding for 15 days in a row now and have NO signs of BV whatsoever! therefore i believe the pills are keeping my hormones in check and preventing the BV....anyone else had a little success here???

[amelillo13]

call me crazy, but.....three months ago i figured BV was either due to hormones or the blood feeding the bacteria during your period....SO, i got on seasonique to eliminate the "blood" and regulate hormones at the same time. I have been BV free since. I actually took a dose of Flagyl before starting to BC because i wanted to make sure that the bacteria was DEAD...I am pretty much convinced it is hormone related because i missed two pills and whalah! got my period. I've been lightly bleeding for 15 days in a row now and have NO signs of BV whatsoever! therefore i believe the pills are keeping my hormones in check and preventing the BV....anyone else had a little success here???

Though I'm not entirely sure on the status of my hormones, and doctors all refuse to check them because I am 22, I've never noticed any difference while on or off birth control pills. For me personally, when my BV infection started over a year and a half ago, I was on BC at the time. I had been for about 2 years. I continued to take it about 4-5 months into the infection, and then decided to go off of them and have been off since. Absolutely 0 change in symptoms and my BV has never gone away.