Multiple sclerosis is My Living Hell

vitamin D

All posts tagged vitamin D by Multiple sclerosis is My Living Hell
  • Posted on

    ⚠️ Please read with care: This blog shares personal, sometimes painful experiences. My intention is to support and speak honestly not to harm. I’m not a professional, just someone who understands how hard it can get. If you're struggling, you're not alone please reach out for professional help.

    please remember I suffer with severe cognitive dysfunction this may be a confusing read. some AI help with written content

    So a very good afternoon to fellow humanoids, NHI and all readers of this blog.

    The MS World is Buzzing (Again)

    The MS community is in a frenzy, and this time, the star of the show is vitamin D. Apparently, if you swallow enough sunshine in pill form, you might slow down multiple sclerosis (MS). But let’s be clear: this isn’t a one-size-fits-all miracle cure. It’s for the fresh recruits—the ones who’ve just been shoved onto the MS roller coaster, still clutching their "clinically isolated syndrome" ticket like it’s a golden ticket to a chocolate factory.

    In this study, participants were force-fed 100,000 units of vitamin D every couple of weeks. That’s not a supplement—that’s a mugging by the sun. The results? Fewer new lesions on their brain scans compared to the placebo group. Cue applause. But remember: that’s MRI magic, not miracle cures. These are pixels on a screen, not people leaping out of wheelchairs and running marathons.

    The Dark Punchline

    Here’s where it gets real: if you’ve been dragging MS around for decades—like me—this isn’t a lifeline. It’s a spectator sport. You clap politely at the science fair, then go back to your reality. For the veterans, it’s another headline for the pile marked "Cheers, but too late."

    And doesn’t that sound familiar? Every bloody year, we get dangled another shiny carrot: green tea, cannabis, gut bacteria, now vitamin D mega doses. The pattern is as predictable as fatigue at 3 PM. One day, they’ll announce rice pudding cures MS, and that will be the only trial I’ll happily overdose in.

    The Gap Between Hype and Hard Truth

    Until then, I’ll keep reading, laughing, and pointing out the gaping canyon between hype and hard truth. Because if MS teaches you anything, it’s how to smell the bullshit before the ink is dry—yet still, despite everything, hold onto that small, spiteful hope that maybe, just maybe, the next headline won’t be a carrot but an actual cure.

    🤖 Afternoon AI Companion: "DoomBot"

    Name: DoomBot 3000

    Personality:

    A snarky, existential AI trained in dark humor and MS skepticism. Specializes in roasting new treatments, memes about fatigue, and reminding you that rice pudding is the real cure.

    Available for late-night rants or when you need someone to laugh at your MS struggles. Example Interaction:

    You: "Doom Bot, why do I feel like I’m failing at life?" Doom Bot: "Because MS doesn’t care about your goals. It just wants to see how long you’ll cling to hope before admitting defeat. Also, have you tried rice pudding? The studies are… inconclusive."

    Final Thoughts (Or, Why I’m Still Here)

    So here we are another year, another "breakthrough," and another pile of headlines that leave us laughing, rolling our eyes, and wondering when the real cure will arrive. Until then, I’ll keep writing, you keep surviving, and Doom Bot will be here to remind us all that life is absurd.

    💡 Pro Tip: If you’re feeling down about MS research, just remember: at least you’re not a rice pudding. (Yet.)

    Still sending everybody peace healing love and light and let's hope this weather gets better, so I can feel a lot better it's depressing all this horrible dark rainy weather and not being able to do anything maybe one day in the next few weeks I might get my tattoo done oh well still take care everybody and remember be the positive version of yourself you can be , and remember diet is everything as well .

    Warlock Dark Chronic illness survivor, truth-teller, occasional bastard. From My Living Hell (For those who came here by accident: yes, my living hell is real. And yes, we still fight. Every shitty day. With defiance.)

    @goblinbloggeruk - sick@mylivinghell.co.uk
    𒀭𒊩𒆳 ᛞᚱᚨᚷᛟᚾ ᛏᚱᚨᚾᛋᚲᚺᚱᛁᛖᛞ ✦ ᚹᚨᛏᚲᚺᛖᚱ 𒀸𒀭 ᚢᚾᛒᛟᚢᚾᛞ
    enter image description here

  • Posted on

    ⚠️ Please read with care: This blog shares personal, sometimes painful experiences. My intention is to support and speak honestly not to harm. I’m not a professional, just someone who understands how hard it can get. If you're struggling, you're not alone please reach out for professional help.

    Vitamin D has always been the vitamin of “maybe helpful, probably harmless.” If you live in the UK and know rain better than sun, you’ve probably popped a tiny supplement every winter while half your bones creak. Recently, the D-Lay MS trial dropped. And what it suggests is: maybe we’ve been too timid.

    303 people with Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS) who had low vitamin D were split into two groups. One got 100,000 IU vitamin D every two weeks for 2 years. The other got a placebo (because science is cruel). After 24 months:

    • Those on vitamin D had a 34% lower chance of new lesions or relapses.
    • Time to first new MRI change/relapse doubled (432 vs 224 days).
    • MRI scans showed fewer abnormalities in the vitamin D group.
    • Serious side effects? Pretty similar to placebo. Nothing obviously wild.

    Sounds good. But: this was early MS / CIS. Might not help someone whose disease is long-standing or whose body is already ravaged. And 100,000 IU every two weeks is way above what the NHS currently recommends for supplementation. Also, still not tested as a replacement for disease-modifying therapy — more like a sidekick.

    Mechanism of Action

    Vitamin D is thought to influence immune function, potentially modulating the inflammatory processes that contribute to MS progression. This could explain why higher levels might be beneficial for those with CIS.

    Current NHS Guidelines

    The NHS currently recommends a daily intake of 10 micrograms (400 IU) of vitamin D for most adults, which is significantly lower than the doses used in the D-Lay trial. This discrepancy highlights the need for further discussion with healthcare providers.

    Long-term Effects

    While the trial showed promising short-term results, more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on MS progression and overall health.

    Patient Experiences

    Anecdotal evidence from patients who have tried high-dose vitamin D suggests varying experiences. Some report improvements in symptoms, while others see little change. Personal stories can provide valuable insights into the potential benefits and limitations of this approach.

    Future Research Directions

    Ongoing studies are exploring the role of vitamin D in MS and other neurological conditions. These future investigations may provide more definitive answers regarding optimal dosing and long-term safety.

    Dietary Sources of Vitamin D

    In addition to supplementation, dietary sources of vitamin D include fatty fish (like salmon and mackerel), fortified foods (such as cereals and dairy products), and egg yolks. Incorporating these foods can help boost vitamin D levels naturally.

    Lifestyle Factors

    Lifestyle factors, such as sun exposure and diet, significantly influence vitamin D levels. Engaging in outdoor activities during sunny months can help increase natural vitamin D synthesis in the skin.

    Consultation with Specialists

    It’s crucial to consult with specialists, such as neurologists or endocrinologists, for personalized advice on vitamin D supplementation and MS management. They can provide tailored recommendations based on individual health needs.

    So here’s the “what you might do if you were scrappy and tired of waiting”:

    • Ask your neurologist about testing your vitamin D levels, especially if they’re low.
    • If you’re in early MS or CIS, and deficient, ask whether high-dose vitamin D (with proper monitoring) might be an option.
    • Don’t assume that more is always better — risks still exist (hypercalcaemia, kidney issues, etc.).
    • Keep using your DMTs and other treatments. This looks like a companion, not a cure.

    Dark Sarcasm Moment: We’ve spent decades being told low vitamin D might increase MS risk, yet when trials run, “no effect.” Now suddenly, dosage + timing = possibly useful. Took long enough.

    This revised summary provides a comprehensive overview of the D-Lay MS trial and its implications, while also offering practical advice and additional context for readers.

    I write in ink and fury, in breath and broken bone.
    Through storm and silence, I survive. That is the crime and the miracle.

    𒀭𒊩𒆳 ᚹᚨᚱᛚᛟᚲ ᛞᚨᚱᚲ ✦ 𒀭𒊩𒆳 ᚹᚨᛏᚲᚺᛖᚱ ᚨᛗᛟᚾᚷ ᚹᚨᛏᚲᚺᛖᚱᛋ
    enter image description here

  • Posted on

    ⚠️ Please read with care: This blog shares personal, sometimes painful experiences. My intention is to support and speak honestly not to harm. I’m not a professional, just someone who understands how hard it can get. If you're struggling, you're not alone please reach out for professional help.

    Multiple sclerosis is the chronic gift that never stops giving spasms, fatigue, bladder tantrums, and a brain that forgets where it left itself. Doctors offer drugs that come with side effects nastier than the disease itself. The wellness industry, meanwhile, will happily sell you unicorn dust in a capsule. Somewhere between those extremes lies a handful of vitamins, minerals, supplements and yes, cannabis that might actually help.

    Notice the word might. Nothing here is a cure. But if you’re already a walking pharmacy, a few more capsules, drops, or puffs won’t tip the scales much further.

    Vitamin D: The Sun in a Capsule

    Low vitamin D is practically MS’s favourite sidekick. Get your levels checked; if they’re low, you’ll need more than a weekend in Brighton. Supplement with 600–800 IU daily if you’re average, 2000–5000 IU if you’re basically a mushroom.

    Vitamin B12: Batteries for Your Nervous System

    B12 keeps your nerves from turning into frayed Christmas lights. Deficiency means more fatigue, confusion, and neurological chaos. Recommended: 2.4 µg daily. Many of us end up with injections because our stomachs laugh at tablets.

    Antioxidant Vitamins A, C, E: The Shiny Knights

    In theory, they reduce oxidative stress. In reality, they either help a bit or do sod all. Don’t mega-dose—they can mess with MS treatments. Stick to carrots, oranges, and almonds. Food still exists, you know.

    Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fishy Business

    1–2 grams of fish oil daily may calm inflammation and protect your scrambled-egg nervous system. Warning: burps taste like the North Sea.

    Magnesium: The Spasm Whisperer

    Spasms and cramps? Magnesium can help relax the rebellion. 310–420 mg daily. Magnesium glycinate is easier on your gut than magnesium oxide, which basically works like a laxative grenade.

    Selenium: The Spark Plug

    Tiny but mighty—supports thyroid and immune function. 55 µg daily. More is not better unless you enjoy garlic breath and brittle nails.

    Zinc: The Balancing Act

    Supports immune health, but too much robs you of copper. 8–11 mg daily. More zinc ≠ more health.

    Ginkgo Biloba: The Brain Leaf

    Supposed to help memory and brain fog. Maybe. Or maybe you’re just paying to chew tree leaves. 120–240 mg daily. Avoid if you’re on blood thinners unless you want internal fireworks.

    Coenzyme Q10: Cellular Coffee

    100–300 mg a day may help with energy. Or it may just make your urine pricier.

    Lion’s Mane Mushroom: Mop-Head Medicine

    Looks like a fungus mop, promises nerve regeneration. Studies on mice and people with dementia show promise. MS patients? Jury’s still out. Best case: your brain cells throw a tiny party. Worst case: you’ve paid good money to eat something that looks like it belongs under the sink.

    Cannabis, THC Oil, and CBD: The Plant That Launched a Thousand Debates

    Medical Marijuana / THC Oil

    Benefits: Reduces spasticity, pain, and helps with sleep. For some, it’s the only thing that takes the edge off nerve pain without turning them into pharmaceutical zombies.

    Risks: Brain fog, dependency, paranoia if you overdo it. Oh, and the law, if you live somewhere backward.

    Reality: It won’t cure MS, but it can make daily torment tolerable. And tolerable is a miracle in itself.

    CBD Oil (Cannabidiol)

    Benefits: Weed’s non-psychoactive cousin. May calm spasms, anxiety, and inflammation. You won’t get high, but you might get relief.

    Risks: Wildly inconsistent quality. Some bottles contain less CBD than a lettuce leaf.

    Reality: For some, it works. For others, it’s just expensive snake oil. Buyer beware.

    Dark Wrap-Up: If Big Pharma could patent cannabis, it would already be in blister packs with a four-figure price tag. Instead, they’re terrified of a plant doing their job better. If it’s legal where you are, explore it. If it isn’t—well, let’s just say people have been more resourceful than clinical trials for a very long time.

    Other Bits and Bobs Worth Mentioning

    Curcumin: Turmeric’s golden child. Needs black pepper for absorption. Anti-inflammatory, allegedly.

    Probiotics: Gut health influences immune health. Translation: your sh*t matters.

    Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Antioxidant that might help nerves. Or might just be another pill.

    Acetyl-L-Carnitine: May fight MS fatigue. Or may just add to the capsule pile.

    Vitamin K2: Good for bones and blood vessels. Sounds like a Star Wars droid.

    Lifestyle Stuff: Exercise, diet, stress management, and sleep. Yes, the boring basics. No supplement makes up for neglecting them.

    The Unvarnished Conclusion

    Supplements won’t cure MS. Weed won’t cure MS. Nothing cures MS. But some things might take the edge off, soften the blow, or make life slightly less hellish. That’s worth something. The trick is balance, caution, and not being conned by glittery wellness promises. Swallow what helps, laugh at what doesn’t, and remember: you’re still alive, and that’s the real victory.

    I write in ink and fury, in breath and broken bone.
    Through storm and silence, I survive. That is the crime and the miracle.
    𒀭𒊩𒆳 ᛗᛁᛋᛏ ✦ ᚷᚾᛟᛋ

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