I've read lots on this site about the anti inflammatory effects of vit d3 and fish oil and are really keen to try it.  I've been using Bowen technique with a practitioner to help control the pain where I can and it did seem to be beneficial.  I've discussed the regime with her and she thinks it is excellent and good sense.  My question is this do I need to have a serum test before starting the regime?  I'm on a prednisolone taper which will end in a few days and am on verapamil at 480mg per day.  I can't get to see my Dr for another 2 weeks but want to make a start ASAP to see if it works.  Just as a sideline my hubby jokingly said I probably lacked the "sunshine vitamin" as I can burn in 10 mins so stay out of the sun and covered up!  Would also account for the pale skin and blue eyes - wear sunglasses nearly all year as I can't cope with sunlight...... 8-)

Hey Jacey/Sunlight  8-),

Good question...  and it sounds like you've got a smart practitioner...

Start now and worry about the lab test for 25(OH)D when you see your doctor.  The sooner you start the better...

The main reason to have the lab test early is to know where you stand with respect to your serum concentration of 25(OH)D. 

The lower the concentration of 25(OH)D, like less than 30 ng/mL, the longer it's going to take to build levels of this vitamin D3 metabolite to a therapeutic level sufficient to prevent your CH.

It's kind of like throwing the kids in the car for a road trip...  10 minutes after you leave home they ask, "Are we there yet?"  Knowing how long it's going to take will prevent a lot of angst. 

From the data collected so far, most CH'ers experience a favorable response in 10 days to two weeks... some in as little as 12 to 24 hours... The rest dribble in over the next 10 weeks if they stick with it...

With blond hair, blue eyes and skin that burns easily, you're likely Skin Type I.  That means you'll also likely respond very rapidly to a dose of 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 as your 25/OH)D levels will build rapidly.

If you go pain free for a week before you have your 25(OH)D lab test, drop the vitamin D3 dose to 7,500 IU/day.  The simple way to do that is alternate between 5,000 and 10,000 IU/day every other day.  If the CH return... jump back to 10,000 IU/day.

Take care and please keep us posted.  The more data we collect the better.

V/R, Batch

I, too, am a toe-headed, blue-eyed, freckled-skin abomination of northern Euro descent. Having had four basal cell carcinomas removed over the last 20 years, lots of exposure to sunlight is not an option for me.

I just started this regimen on Saturday because my normal preventative approach is not living up to my expectations lately. I'm coming off almost two years of pain-free time.

My hits seem to be less intense, but they're coming just as frequently. I'm having to battle them with a small amount of trex and large quantities of O2 as they seem to be more stubborn than normal.

I'm committed to this regimen and eagerly await the next few weeks to see if there's really something to it. My heart and my mind are open.

I really hope it works for you Brew.  I "think" it is working for me, kinda, sorta.  Last few days have been much improved, but I've been here before and gotten all excited.  I'm hopefully waiting this time before saying one way or the other.

JErry