Why Being Vitamin D Deficient Is Not Good for Fibromyalgia

According to the Mayo Clinic, fibromyalgia is a condition, “characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues.” Also referred to as fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), approximately 2% of all Americans suffer from this condition.

Some medical researchers believe that fibromyalgia affects how your brain processes pain signals, essentially intensifying pain. Symptoms include widespread pain, fatigue and ‘fibro fog’, an impaired ability to pay attention, focus and concentrate on certain tasks. Although its causes are unknown, genetics, infections and physical or emotional trauma often play a role.

There are some people who are more likely to have fibromyalgia than others. The condition is more common among women than men. Additionally, if you have a relative with fibromyalgia, you have a higher risk of developing this condition. Also, you are more likely to have it if you already suffer from other disorders like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Treating Fibromyalgia

At the moment, no cure exists for fibromyalgia. However, it can be treated and managed. The two most frequent treatments include medications and therapy.

Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen and naproxen sodium are helpful for pain management. Antidepressants and anti-seizure drugs are used to help people deal with the symptoms.

Several types of therapy are beneficial to fibromyalgia sufferers including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and even counseling. Massage therapy, meditation, yoga, and acupuncture have also proven to help reduce fibromyalgia pain and relieve stress.

To help manage this condition, sufferers are advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise regularly, get adequate rest and lower their stress level. While remaining active, people with fibromyalgia should also moderate their activity levels and not try to do too much.

Another way to manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia is by using vitamin D. In general, this fat-soluble vitamin reduces pain, lowers inflammation and can also boost the immune system. And while there is no direct evidence that low vitamin D levels cause fibromyalgia, it is noted by many that those who suffer from it are usually vitamin D deficient.

Reduced Pain for FMS Sufferers

While vitamin D does not reduce the risk of developing fibromyalgia, it helps with the symptoms. A study published in the journal Pain in January 2014 concluded that vitamin D, “can reduce pain and may be a cost-effective alternative or adjunct to other treatments.”

The lead investigator on the study was Florian Wepner, MD, of the Department of Orthopaedic Pain Management at the Orthopaedic Hospital in Vienna, Austria. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether or not vitamin D supplementation can improve other symptoms of fibromyalgia. As Dr. Wepner said:

Low blood levels of calcifediol are especially common in patients with severe pain and fibromyalgia. But although the role of calcifediol in the perception of chronic pain is a widely discussed subject, we lack clear evidence of the role of vitamin D supplementation in fibromyalgia patients. We, therefore, set out to determine whether raising the calcifediol levels in these patients would alleviate pain and cause a general improvement in concomitant disorders.

The study was done on 30 women with fibromyalgia who also had low serum calcifediol levels (a major indicator of vitamin D status). Some women received a placebo while others were given oral vitamin D3 supplements. Their progress was tracked at 20 and then 25 weeks, after which the treatment was stopped. Vitamin D levels were also checked 24 weeks after the end of treatment.

Throughout the study, the women receiving vitamin D supplementation experienced reduced pain. The women who took the placebo didn’t experience changes in their pain levels.

Dr. Wepner concludes that “Vitamin D levels should be monitored regularly in FMS patients, especially in the winter season, and raised appropriately.”

Other Studies

In other studies, vitamin D has been used to treat fibromyalgia. Supporting Dr. Wepner’s conclusion are the following findings:

• Individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia or muscle pain in the United Arab Emirates benefited from vitamin D treatment. However, it was uncertain whether or not those with muscle pain also had fibromyalgia.
• Minnesotans suffering from fibromyalgia who also had low vitamin D levels took part in a study. Some participants received placebos while others received took 7000 IU daily of vitamin D3. After 8 weeks, those taking vitamin D3 demonstrated significant improvement in fibromyalgia assessment scores. Those taking the placebo experienced no improvement. However, those with the most severe vitamin D deficiency didn’t experience improved symptoms during the trial or one year later.
• People who experience widespread back pain related to vitamin D deficiency are sometimes diagnosed as having fibromyalgia. In these individuals, increasing their vitamin D blood levels helps reduce pain.

Checking and Monitoring Vitamin D Levels

Because of vitamin D’s role in reducing pain and inflammation, fibromyalgia patients should have their levels checked and monitored to make sure they are getting enough of the vitamin.

Dr. Kiran Patel is a pain medicine specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City who frequently treats patients with fibromyalgia. He says, "Fibromyalgia patients and those with chronic pain should certainly have their vitamin D blood levels checked and, if low, consider supplementation under the guidance of a physician."

Dr. Houman Danesh, director of integrative pain management at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City agrees, stating, "Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to chronic pain, and [Dr. Wepner’s] study further strengthens the argument to [replenish] vitamin D in deficient individuals,"

Getting Enough Vitamin D

Vitamin D comes from a number of sources. Although there are dietary sources, few foods are naturally rich in vitamin D. Some of these include certain fish like tuna and salmon as well as eggs. Other foods like milk, orange juice, and cereals are fortified with vitamin D. Yet many people don’t get enough vitamin D.

The best source of vitamin D is right outside your door: Sunshine. Yet 40% of Americans are vitamin D deficient because they don’t spend enough time in the sun.

During warmer months, people with fibromyalgia should spend moderate amounts of time outdoors in direct sunlight. This allows the body to naturally produce vitamin D, the ‘sunshine vitamin’, from UV-B rays. During winter months when the sun is lower in the sky and UV-B rays don’t penetrate the atmosphere, vitamin D supplementation is often necessary.

Having a shorter shadow means the sun’s rays are more intense. If your shadow is shorter than you, your body can produce vitamin D. Another guideline suggests spending about half the time in direct sunlight that it takes to start to get a sunburn each day to get enough vitamin D.

Is a Vitamin D Supplement Right for You?

Vitamin D helps reduce pain and inflammation. Fibromyalgia patients should monitor their levels to make sure they are getting enough of the vitamin. If you suffer from fibromyalgia, ask your care provider to check your vitamin D levels. If they are low, you may need to take a supplement.