Vitamin D3 Coimbra Protocol

[Sharon]

Has anybody heard of this AI treatment termed the Coimbra Protocol?
There seem to be many impressive accounts all over the internet of people with various
AI and neurological issues going into remission and even healing while following this
fairly simple Brazilian protocol:
Just a few links out of many (you can google it and find much more):

http://www.vitamindwiki.com/Multiple+Sclerosis+and+(lots+of)+Vitamin+D+-+book+by+patient+on+Coimbra+protocol+-+Feb+2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOfO29rL-gI

[hopeforall]

Looks like high dose Vitamin D is linked to improved Gut Microbiome and significantly higher CD8+ T immune cells.

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/High-dose-vitamin-D-may-boost-diversity-of-the-gut-microbiome-Study

Since the effect of CD8+ T Cells on specific autoimmune conditions is not well established, we might want to proceed with caution.

[Sharon]

This is only supposed to be followed under a doctor's care.
He claims is works in 95% of AI illnesses.

[Sharon]

If anybody has first hand experience with this protocol I would love to
hear from them. I can't find a doctor in my area who's knowledgable in this.

[bluegardenia]

sharon  did u see the possible reactions to a massive dose of vit d?

[Sharon]

Yes Blue, I did, that's why it's important to be under a doctor's care if you follow this protocol.
You need checkups and tests to make sure your levels don't get too high and no toxicity is occuring and so on.
The possible reactions are nothing compared to those side effects you can get from steroids and Methorexate...
I generally do well with supplements.
The personal testimonies of people following this protocol are quite amazing and encouraging.
At this point it seems to me a better option than steroids or letting the disease rage on.

[Deb 27]

It sounds very interesting. They know AI diseases and other diseases are seen in people with low Vit D levels. Sometimes I think I've actually had better improvements with  supplements and vitamins than with the plaquenil.... Very few of us get enough Vitamin D anymore. Kind of make me wonder about the rise in chronic disease. I religiously take my Vitamin D every night, 2,000 mgs. along with my fish oil. I feel a big difference in my mood as well.
Thanks for sharing this article Sharon.

[Wal]

This sounds very interesting. I going to investigate further. Thank you!

[Sharon]

Thanks for the feedback Deb and Wal.
I'm going to gradually raise to 10,000 IU of Vit. D3 on my own
since that's considered a non-toxic dosage,
evaluate how I feel and then decide
if I want to go the length and try the Coimbra Protocol.

[jazzlover]

Be very careful.

The Magnesium Advocacy Group on FB says taking Vitamin D3 without proper testing is a really bad idea.

More info here:

gotmag.org/vitamin-d-deficiency-mg-deficiency-period/

[irish]

If you are going to take that big a dose daily it is necessary to have your blood level checked often. Too much Vit D can be a big problem and the other aspect is that this is something new in the way of treatment. I am speaking of the normal dosages of Vit d that are given now. The docs don't even know all the long term effects of the average dosages that we take. I have been on 2000 mgm for about 5 years now. Hard to tell if it is helping but at least my levels are up in lower end of normal range now. Irish

[Sharon]

Thanks for your concerns all.
Jazz- I have been tested many times throughout the years and have a consistently low deficient level of Vit. D.
My magnesium levels are perfect as I've been supplementing with Mag. Citrate for many years. I really do avoid the sun like a plague due to my sensitivities so I have no source of Vit. D. in my life.

Irish- Yes, true I will need to begin closely monitoring my Vit. D levels. That's fine by me since I am sent to many blood tests in any case. I'll just request they add in the Vit. D, testing each time. From all I've read seems it's agreed among all authorities in the field that up to 10,000 IU is harmless. True that over that dosage it may pose a problem and that's why I'm not going there yet. If I do feel it would benefit me to go all Coimbra I would need a doctor who understands how to treat according to the protocol to do this safely since they give you other forms of testing and supplements to balance and lower the potential complications and you must then also lower calcium intake and begin exercising every day (which I'm unable to do now), among other things.

[WhatYouSjo]

I'm planning on bringing this up with my rheumatologist during our next visit. The research is promising, but the studies are still small and preliminary. While I'm usually willing to use myself as a guinea pig, large vitamin D doses can have unpleasant side effects and lead to vitamin D toxicity (Mayo Clinic):

Taking 50,000 international units (IU) a day of vitamin D for several months has been shown to cause toxicity. This level is many times higher than the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for most adults of 600 IU of vitamin D a day.

Doses higher than the RDA are sometimes used to treat medical problems such as vitamin D deficiency, but these are given only under the care of a doctor for a specified time frame. Blood levels should be monitored while someone is taking high doses of vitamin D.

Although vitamin D toxicity is uncommon even among people who take supplements, you may be at greater risk if you have health problems, such as liver or kidney conditions, or if you take thiazide-type diuretics. As always, talk to your doctor before taking vitamin and mineral supplements.

[Sharon]

From what I understand they counter the possibility of toxicity with additional supplements
and treatment guidelines through the protocol alongside frequent bloodtests.

[Sharon]

WhatYouSjo- You have no problem swallowing worms but balk at overdosing on Vit. D?