Good News Free Vitamin D From The Government For The Vulnerable.

[ladybirder]

News to me. Good. It's been quite a problem to buy in my area. Enough to see us through the winter. There must quite a few on here who'll be entitled to it. Had anyone heard about it?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8925321/Millions-elderly-vulnerable-free-Vitamin-D-government.html

[Mamyalynne]

Excellent news, I have been on a prescribed does for a while now.

[bookbinder]

I haven't heard of it. I was diagnosed in late August as having a vitamin D deficiency, but all that the GP gave me was some folic acid tablets and a few vitamin D capsules.

[tiggerblue10]

I was diagnosed with deficiency last year and prescribed a high dose for the first 1-2 months to bring my levels up then just a regular dose. I take one a day.

[queen 1954]

Thats good news,my mums not been out of her bed for 3 years and i have discussed with the care home staff her probable lack of vit d due to no sunlight.She got covid in april and its a miracle that she survived at 90 years old and being very frail.

[ladybirder]

Queen1954, that certainly is a miracle bless her. I hope you can make sure she gets given them.

[eve1974]

At last! Something is being done to boost immunity. Should have been done ages ago!

[jourdain2]

Hmmm. Different approaches here. When we lived in France all O.70s were given a prescription for a massive (I mean 'massive', something like 500 time the normal recommended amount- I looked up doses) dose of Vit. D in liquid form to collect from the pharmacy. They had worked out that this was more cost-effective than older people catching diseases in the Winter. Simple and effective.

[Apc2604]

It does say that those shielding will be sent 4 months supply. Does this include the over 70s regardless of whether they are healthy or not? I buy them for myself and OH.

[woofgang]

no APC, healthy over 70's didn't have to shield

[Apc2604]

I realise that Woofie, but the Mail report indicates that they will be free to those shielding and the elderly. I take it to mean that those who are under 70 and have been told to shield will also get them free. If I ask my doc he will put them on prescription so I will get them free. He told me I should be shielding, but I never got a letter. I really don't need a letter because it would make no difference to me.

[pixie374]

They were advised to, though. Just being over 70- and /or- certain health issues, puts you more at risk. It's older people plus those with certain conditions who are most vulnerable.

[Apc2604]

I have been taking them for ages anyway because I get very little sunshine these days.

[pixie374]

https://i.postimg.cc/pXq6TnPh/Screenshot-20201108-222438-Chrome.jpg

It's "or" rather than "and".

[Apc2604]

I have been shielding since March. My health reads like a medical encyclopedia these days. I didn't need the advice. I just used my common sense. I have almost forgotten what goes on outside the boundaries of home.

[ladybirder]

I've always avoided going to the doctors all my life, if possible, until the last 12 months when my health dictated otherwise. So I didn't know much about prescriptions and am surprised that doctors issue prescriptions for medication that can be bought over the counter without one. Should they be doing that?

[pixie374]

They try not to now. They used to give prescriptions for paracetamol, etc. But it's often cheaper just to buy it.
If this can protect against covid though... it is obviously worthwhile.

[Mamyalynne]

I recall you have asked that before LB, I don't know the definitive answer but can only think that if they feel people are more likely to take something prescribed and thereby protect their health then it's worth it.

Mine was prescribed by the Hospital and my GP carried it on from there.

[Apc2604]

I now get my paracetamol on prescription because people were panic buying at the beginning of covid and it's an essential drug for me. I have chronic pain and can't tolerate stronger pain killers. The doc was happy to let me have it on repeat prescription. I was buying it until Covid.

[pastafreak]

I've been taking vitamin D for years. I wonder what the strength is for what they'll be giving out. If you're low on D, you need fairly high strength to start off to get up to optimal levels.

[Apc2604]

I read that 25 mg is the maximum dose you should take for keeping your levels up after you first boost your Vit D. I had tests for Vit D a couple of years ago in hospital and I was fine, but since then my health has got worse. There are some problems if you take too much though.