What side effects happen at each dose of 50,000 units of vitamin D?
Question posted by Capitola on 24 Nov 2010
Last updated on 25 August 2023
I took my first dose of 50,000 units of vitamin (D2) this past Friday night. I was prescribed 50,000 units once a week for 12 weeks.
I experience adrenalin rush symptoms along with a little shakiness and insomnia. However once I fell asleep, I stayed asleep until I woke up abruptly feeling like I couldn't catch my breath and my heart pounding... I sat straight up in bed and violently coughed. It really scared me. After I calmed down all was fine and I was able to relax.
Now at 4 days later I just feel achy, a little nauseated, some stomach upset/cramps. I am finding myself a little scared to take the 2nd dose this friday night...
Has anyone had a similar experience? What can I expect after the 2nd dose? 3rd dose? etc.
Thanks so much for any advice you can give. ~ Capitola : )
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86 Answers Page 2
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Temptation999
15 Dec 2018
I take that much medication for so any ailments, i'm bedridden 22 plus hours a day or more so I take 50,000 units of vitamin D as prescribed over 7 weeks, just done week 1. I was high as a kite and rearranged my rented room at 5 in the morning lol. I feel dreadful all the time so see it as a help to me to take it rather than not as I was under a consultant for vitamin D and B12 injections for life. I moved to another county for a while and they never bothered so now it's come back with a vengence and now it is 2018, see what I mean #confusion
Votes: +0
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Temptation999
15 Dec 2018
I take that much medication for so any ailments, i'm bedridden 22 plus hours a day or more so I take 50,000 units of vitamin D as prescribed over 7 weeks, just done week 1. I was high as a kite and rearranged my rented room at 5 in the morning lol. I feel dreadful all the time so see it as a help to me to take it rather than not as I was under a consultant for vitamin D and B12 injections for life. I moved to another county for a while and they never bothered so now it's come back with a vengence.
Votes: +0
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Lisakuba
11 Dec 2018
I just took my 2nd dose of the 50,000 mg of Vit D. The 1st dose made me dizzy... shaky..but the 2nd dose I took before bed and woke up having to vomit! Im very sensitive to any kind of medication. Im not sure if it came up but I feel fine now. So calling my Doc later today.
Votes: +0
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Vpeavy1
9 Dec 2018
OMG! I'm experiencing the same thing. My level is 12, and my doctor gave me 50,000ius once a week for 2 weeks. I took my first dose this past Friday, and woke up experiencing high anxiety, sinus headache, and heart pounding hard and fast. Now, its Sunday, and I have a cold, can not sleep, and feel like my head is going to explode. I'll take my last dose next week and I am nervous. How long does your symptoms last?
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Vee88
19 Dec 2018
For me the symptoms didn’t go away until I stopped drinking those nasty pills. Instead I began taking Vit D3 (3 a day, 50mcg) plus took Epsom Salt baths for the magnesium. I instantly felt better even though it took a longer time to recover from my low vitamin D. It was worth it for me. I’m so sorry for what you are feeling but it does get better. It takes time but it gets better if you follow all the health rules. Best of luck.
IN
Inactive
5 Aug 2018
Vitamin D toxicity can happen if you are taking megadose although it's not that common. It can cause hypercalcemia and calcium stones.
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DA
Darla kay
23 July 2018
It doesn't get better only worse. Have your calcium level checked to see if it is too low then take a lower daily dosage of vitamin d3 from shelf... it is made of different product than vitamin d2. A vitamin is not JUST a vitamin.
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Vee88
13 May 2018
I recently replied to one of the comments posted here, but now I want to write about my experience in hopes that someone will see it and relate. Back in January of this year I started feeling really weird, like electric shocks up and down my arms and legs. I felt very tired and my back ached constantly. I went to the Dr twice before she finally checked my Vitamin levels. I soon found out my Vit D was at 17. I got those 50,000 once a wk pills. And oh boy! The side effects were horrible! I woke up at night with my heart pounding! I couldn’t sleep. I felt depressed and cried about 3 times per day. My arms were weak. And yes every time I took a pill I had it with a meal. I only took it 3 times before I stopped. I found this site and I knew I had to stop taking them. I searched endlessly and found I could get Vit D3 instead. I bought a bottle of Vit D3 2,000. And I got potassium as well to calm the shocks. I started taking Vit B12 to calm my stress. I changed my diet.
So I started to take 2 pills of Vit D3 per day which is 4,000. One B12 and one Potassium. I went out to the sun for 20 mins any time from 9am-12pm. I started to snack on food with high Vit D. Another IMPORTANT thing I did was take baths with epsom salt. I learned the magnesium is vital when taking Vit D at high dosages. It also helps you really relax. I went through so much, I thought it would never end... it’s May now and I am still struggling. My level went up to 45 which is good but not great. I am still taking the pills. I also began having chest tightness which I was told was due to stress and anxiety. I believe this has come about because of all the stress the low vitamin D put me through. I lost some hair which could be from low Vit D or all the stress. I recommend leaving D2 and taking D3 if it is causing you horrible symptoms. And you’re not alone. Keep looking online for help, keep asking your Dr questions, and I suggest you watch some YouTube videos of people struggling with this too. It really helped me because it made me feel I wasn’t alone. I hope this reaches anyone just like the past responses reached me. By the way, I’m 29. And up until now I’ve never had any health issues this severe. I know a lot of people say they took the 50,000 pills and everything went smoothly but everyone is different and some of us felt or feel these symptoms. And if we don’t talk about them, companies will continue to push them and claim there are no symptoms related to the pills. Much luck, take care and know that I, too, care for you.
Votes: +3
HR
Hr7979
11 May 2018
I took my first dose of 50,000 VD last night and I haven’t slept more than 30 minutes. Im not wired with energy, it’s because of stomach pains. I have been in unbearable pain since and spent the night on the floor of the bathroom. I know they say no side effects but after reading all of these comments that is most definitely not true! My other symptoms are dry mouth, fatigue (might be from not sleeping), and a pretty bad headache. My brothers graduation is tomorrow and I’m going to be very upset if I cannot go. I’m absolutely miserable today and it’s halfway through the next day and the stomach pains persist. They’re very mild and then all the sudden they’re excruciating for like 10-15 mins, then go back to being mild for a short period. They need to change the side effects on the package because I was terrified I was having an apendasitis or something. Definitely terrified to take the next dose and might chose not to. (For reference, my Vit D level was at 18)
Votes: +0
BR
Brendaleebro
18 April 2018
My Daughter is taking VitaminD2 50,000 units.she is now experiencing muscle aches, and heaviness in her legs.I want to stop the dosages but I,m afraid to.can someone please give me some advice on what to do.?
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Vee88
13 May 2018
Please read the last comment on this thread. It is the one I wrote. There are many things you can do for your daughter. She doesn’t have to go through those symptoms. It may take longer to get her Vit D level up but it is MUCH better than living through those symptoms.
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Susan Cassarino
1 March 2018
EVERYONE, PLEASE KNOW YOU ARE NOT ALONE & KNOW THAT THERE IS HELP AVAILABLE FOR YOU. I URGE YOU TO PLEASE VISIT THIS WEBSITE SaveOurBones.com AND UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS OVER-PRESCRIBED & SYNTHETIC "Vitamin D2" by our doctors. The natural & healthy form of vitamin D is actually vitamin D3. * Which, by the way, is free and always available to you in unlimited supply, from simple daily sunshine, courtesy of the sun. Simply put, 20 to 30 minutes a day of natural sunshine gives us our daily requirement of vitamin D3. (By the Way, It is only when a person is deficient in the B vitamins that we may get a little sunburn.) I found the website noted above because of a friend of mine telling me about her doctor who prescribed 50,000 units of this synthetic "vitamin D" prescribed by her doctor for her hypothyroidism.
(Also, if you need a good vitamin that is organic and contains true vitamin D3, I have read much about a young naturopath named Ty Bollinger at TTAC.com who has a completely organic & natural line of vitamins & multi vitamins, etc. through a company he created called Organixx. He has become an expert at all things natural due to his losing a precious family member to cancer and wanted to do something to make a big difference). I, myself, after researching multivitamins that are truly organic & natural, finally feel comfortable about choosing a brand I actually feel confident about. He also has a newsletter (that both he and his wife) Ty & Char Bollinger available online with wonderful and natural approaches to our health. I don't work for them, I'm just someone who cares & appreciates good people and real information and believe in treating others like family and taking care of each other. I know this is a long post, but I sure hope it helps you. God bless you ~ Sincerely, Susan
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Brenda58
1 March 2018
Just wondering are any of you that think it’s making you ill eating before taking this high dose of vitiamn D ?? The only symptoms I’ve experienced is high energy unable to sleep for first two nights. Didn’t have any feelings of feeling sick. I’ll not take at night again. I’m now on my 5th week and I’m not having issue with not being able to sleep. Also you need to take vitamin C everyday these two vitamins work along each other. Remember if your having trouble sleeping due to great energy take in morning after you eat.
Votes: +1
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Lesa Marie Z
10 Feb 2018
I am having the same experience you're having. I am actually on my third dose I have to take today but I'm afraid to. I can't take much more of this. A little back ground on why they put me on it. I actually went in to my endocrinologist because I thought I had adrenaline fatigue syndrome. I have one kidney and adrenal gland. I was negative for it so blood was drawn to find out what else it could be. They found out that my blood levels were 11 and told me that I needed to bring it up so they prescribed me the 50000 units for the next 6 months. Before I started taking the vitamin D I was experiencing bone, muscle aches, and severe pain around my rib cage. It was tolerable. Then I took my first dose of 50000 units and the next morning I started getting severe body pains, more anxiety and depression than normal, and stomach pains. By my second dose it was like 20 times worse. Confusion not being able to concentrate started kicking in.
Then I started throwing up and not feeling like eating at all. I've missed work because I get partly through the day, I get severely sick and hurt to the point where I can't even walk. Today I'm supposed to take my third dose, and I'm afraid to because I can't handle the pain that I'm in! I don't want the constant nausea and throwing up after I eat, not to mention the diarrhea that's happening too. Granted it was pretty bad before I started taking the medication, but not as bad as what I'm going through now. I'm about ready to go to urgent care to see if they can help me. I don't want to discourage anyone on taking it, but I want people to know how they might react to the medication. I wish I would have been told about the side effects. I'm not sure if I'm having these reactions because I have one kidney or from my Hashimotos disease. But I wouldn't wish this reaction on anyone! I hope this helps anyone who reads this! I'm going take my 3 dose and pray for the best! If anyone has any advice or questions please feel free to ask or answer away! Lesa
Votes: +1
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Vee88
12 Feb 2018
I've been reading all these answers and there are way too many to look at. I am experiencing most of these similar side effects and was really confused because my Dr said there would be no side effects. I read the instruction paper carefully and it said no side effects, maybe constipation. However on my 2nd week of 50,000 per week I felt anxiety and depression which I have NEVER felt before. I am currently on no other medication, I am 29 and I have been going crazy thinking I may have something worse than vit D deficiency... but reading all these responses has put me a little at ease.
I have had headaches, aches all over my body which last a few mins each but they bother! I wake up many times at night with heart palpitations or feeling nervous (can't explain it). I had nauseous feelings too, stomach pain and some under the rib pain. Currently I feel shaky especially one of my fingers cannot stop shaking and it started as soon as I took this Vitamin. Is there anyone out there who finished their dosage and can let us know how it went and if these effects go away. Please and thank you!
JU
Judy5
9 Feb 2018
Horrible and malpractice, as far as I'm concerned. Why not just raise your levels slowly by taking a reasonable amount every day? They don't think this is dangerous? I'd never take that second dose.
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Iva T
5 Feb 2018
I had no problems taking my first dose of 50,000 IU of D2 and neither did ANY of my friends and family I asked. I had only one friend who said she had some itching with D3 after second dose that continued through her last gelcap, but not bothersome enough to stop. I almost didn’t take mine after reading the posts here. I’m glad I did. I think people who have issues with it are the minority, and the vast majority do not post to this type of forum. Everyone has different stuff they bring to the table that may interfere (medications, physical health problems, mental health issues, etc.) So, I figured I should come back here and share my good experience, so you know that it doesn’t have to be so scary, and a good supplement experience is actually The Norm. I took my first dose six days ago in the evening. About an hour or two later, I noticed I was shallowly breathing rapidly, but not a big deal.
I suppose some people may have panicked noticing that, but I figured it would pass, so I just watched television and didn’t think about it, and it really wasn’t a big deal at all. The next couple of mornings I had loose stool - not diarrhea - just passed loose stool once in the morning when I usually pass stool. Again, not a big deal. I take my second dose tomorrow evening. I am hopeful that it will be much the same as last week. I hope this helps those who are newbies on here.
Votes: +0
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ferngirl33
31 Jan 2018
I had Vit.D3 prescribed to me by a neurologist, 50,000iu ever two weeks. I started having hot flashes, unimaginable hot flashes, often every 10 minutes day and night, so deep and intense but no sweating. I put it down to menopause, so did my Dr. My platelets also rose to around the 900 mark and I was put under a haemotologist and told to take aspirin every day. After 4 years I noticed a pattern of insomnia on the night i took my fortnightly Vit.D3. The night i took it, i would lie awake all night, wide awake, and the next morning i was never very tired. Finally figured out the patterns and stopped taking the Vit.D and all my symptoms, hot flashes went away after a few weeks. i tried again after a few months, and the symptoms came back immediately. After talking to the neurologist's nurse i purchased an over the counter 5000iu Vit.D3 and tried that.
i got the same symptoms, just they lasted for only 3 days, not 16 days like to 50,000iu had. I've tried once more to get back on the Vit.D, but it's just not possible for me. I'm feeling great since removing myself from this so called vitamin. In fact it is a hormonal steroid. So it makes sense now, as I could never take the contraceptive pill either (more hormones). Hope this helps, Vitamin D is not for everyone. Another bonus since coming off the Vitamin D is my Platelets have gone down a bit as has other anomolies I've had in my CBC blood tests since going on it four years ago, I also developed pseudohyperkalemia. I'm happy to be off the Vit.D and I'm spening more time in the sun to get Vitamin D naturally and I feel more energetic.
