Calcium: Hi all...................Went for shoulder... - PMRGCAuk

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Calcium

Wenben profile image
13 Replies

Hi all...................Went for shoulder Xray results yesterday as hard lump had appeared on top part of bone where clavicle meets shoulder joint. Very sore. GP confirmed wear and tear in joint and said I have some 'calcification'.

Have been reading up about calcium deposits in soft tissue and arteries etc but can't find anything about bones.

Will be asking my usual GP about it next visit but meanwhile was wondering...could I be taking too much calcium?

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Wenben profile image
Wenben
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13 Replies
SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

You need to have lots of discussion with your doctor. I would start jotting down your questions. It is unlikely that this problem is related to Calcium/ vitamin D Supplements. Although too much calcium can cause problems in our organs. I would be researching on the internet until you can see the doctor. This sounds unpleasant to say the least. I would be very interested to learn more about it if you care to share.

My paternal grandfather, about whom I know very little, and who died before I was born had Pagets Disease. I am curious about how this effected him. There seem to be many causes of what you describe.

Wenben profile image
Wenben in reply to SheffieldJane

Thankyou for reply. Will be doing some more reading. Whilst looking this up I have come across quite a few articles on the benefits of taking Vit K alongside calcium but it has never been suggested to me.

PMRnewbie2017 profile image
PMRnewbie2017 in reply to Wenben

The reason no one medical has mentioned vit K2 is probably because they don't know about it and sadly the training doesn't include nutritional aspects of health. I spent 35 years in practice and only learned about VitK2 through this forum. To be honest when I saw k2 mentioned I thought it was a typo because we are taught about vit k1 because of its role on blood clotting. Sorry to sound cynical but for the most part if it's not in the NICE guidelines it's witchcraft and Drs won't go there. They're bound by evidence based medicine these days.

Having read loads about vit k2 I'm now a huge fan of its benefits.

Wenben profile image
Wenben in reply to PMRnewbie2017

Thanks. Yes I like what I have read so far. It is out of stock at H & B at present so perhaps it's ' catching on ' .

PMRnewbie2017 profile image
PMRnewbie2017 in reply to Wenben

Can I suggest you look at a company called "Natures Best". Their products are of high quality and prices are fair. You will need to take two of the H&B capsules as they are only 50micrograms. Just one last thing. Make sure the vit k2 is menaquinone 7 and not mk 4.

Wenben profile image
Wenben in reply to PMRnewbie2017

Have heard of them. Thanks a lot.

Celtic profile image
CelticPMRGCAuk volunteer

Wenben, I guess the only way to find out if you might be taking too much calcium is to ask for a calcium blood test if you haven’t already had one. Too much calcium can cause calcium grit to form. People taking very high doses of Vitamin D should always have their calcium levels checked as the supplement can allow more calcium from diet to be absorbed, which, for some people can lead to a risk of hypercalcemia. I do hope the soreness eases soon.

Wenben profile image
Wenben in reply to Celtic

I would think past blood tests would have included calcium but will certainly be discussing with GP. Thanks

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

Look up calcific tendonitis online - there are lots of links to explain it.

This one

howardluksmd.com/shoulder-f...

says specifically "We do not know why most people develop calcium deposits in their shoulder. It does not mean you are drinking too much milk or taking too many calcium supplements. It does not mean that you have any rare diseases."

Wenben profile image
Wenben

Thankyou so much for that...that is very helpful. I remember now that he did use the word tendonitis as well. Was feeling depressed when this shoulder pain (other one as well now) seemed to come on rather suddenly on top of everything else.

Will do some further reading and it seems it can be treated.

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane in reply to Wenben

Well that link was bang on the money. Well done PMRPro!

kate24 profile image
kate24

Vitamin D3 K2 calcium and magnesium, all 4 work together.

Some supplements include more than one of these 4.

But calcium supplement seems a bit controversial, even with PMR,

my freind's rheumy did all the tests, told him to drink milk.

Most of us are low in magnesium, some benefit alot,

(natural calcium channel blocker) but some shouldnt use much,

contraindicated with one heart med, forgot which, maybe blood thinner

like omega 3.

Here is a recent article on K2, by a doctor specializing in the field.

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

I actually overtoxed on D3 myself, my GP suspected taking 5000

for 6 mo could be too much, he was right (but on the same dose my brother is a bit low) Each of us is different in how much we absorb, and for some things

blood tests arent useful (magnesium/zinc). Nor are GPs trained in all this,

so this research inevitably ends up DIY, now I take 2000-3000 for optimal levels (D3 is fatsoluble, so you need to be careful,sunshine is watersoluble you cant overtox). In hindsight I dont think I would have overtoxed on 5000 if I had taken K2, I did get that and the others in food, but apparently not enough K2.

Anyway, thanks to my doctor insisting on another D3 test I ended up

with the right dose for me, which I buy myself, and at this dose

I seem to eat enough K2, but I could take a supplement since its safe.

It was my GP who alerted me to the D3 calcium issue.

Sunshine is so crucial to the immune system, behaves more like a steroid hor mone than a vitamin, I think its well worth getting a test, and taking a supplement as necessary to attain optimal level, if not on the nhs you can still

get it done privately, as and when needed its not expensive. (eg took me 3 months to use up my overtox excess)

Wenben profile image
Wenben in reply to kate24

Thanks for all the info Kate24 ..........certainly something to think about.

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