Anemia Support Group
Anemia (or anaemia), which literally means "without blood," is a deficiency of red blood cells and/or hemoglobin. This results in a reduced ability of blood to transfer oxygen to the tissues, and this causes hypoxia; since all human cells depend on oxygen for survival, varying degrees of anemia can have a wide range of clinical consequences.
Hello all :) I'm new and I thought I would share my story in hope that A. it would help me to vent, and B. it would benefit someone going through a similar situation.
I've struggled with anemia during pregnancy but up until this last time seemed to bounce out of it alright.
I had my last child 2 years ago via c-section where I suffered a hemorrhage and haven't really recovered from the anemia since. As my condition has worsened they have tried and tested almost everything.
I can't tolerate the oral iron due to peptic ulcer disease (currently battling 6 ulcers that are not bleeding). I had 2 IV iron treatments to which I reacted to badly even with pre-medication on the last treatment (yesterday) and now my hemoglobin is down to 8.8 and I'll be getting 2 units of blood in a couple of hours.
Color me not excited, or just color me, because I'm really pale.
I will be having a capsule endoscopy when my hemoglobin stabilizes. My TIBC is 19 and my ferritin is 3- so I'm willing to try anything that will find a cure for this unrelenting fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and palpitations- oh and the being short of breath at 32 is a real drag :(
I hope everyone is seeking the medical help and having good results.. I'll be floating around as I am able and I hope to update in the next couple of days about how the transfusion goes today.
:) Thanks for listening!
Cherie
I've struggled with anemia during pregnancy but up until this last time seemed to bounce out of it alright.
I had my last child 2 years ago via c-section where I suffered a hemorrhage and haven't really recovered from the anemia since. As my condition has worsened they have tried and tested almost everything.
I can't tolerate the oral iron due to peptic ulcer disease (currently battling 6 ulcers that are not bleeding). I had 2 IV iron treatments to which I reacted to badly even with pre-medication on the last treatment (yesterday) and now my hemoglobin is down to 8.8 and I'll be getting 2 units of blood in a couple of hours.
Color me not excited, or just color me, because I'm really pale.
I will be having a capsule endoscopy when my hemoglobin stabilizes. My TIBC is 19 and my ferritin is 3- so I'm willing to try anything that will find a cure for this unrelenting fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and palpitations- oh and the being short of breath at 32 is a real drag :(
I hope everyone is seeking the medical help and having good results.. I'll be floating around as I am able and I hope to update in the next couple of days about how the transfusion goes today.
:) Thanks for listening!
Cherie
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My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
You said no celiac showed up. Nor did mine, but the rarer wheat intolerant eventually did which meant the celiac diet. But cant join the celiac soc for more info as not one. And no support group in our area for the wheat intolerant one. The symptoms are virtually the same. Just a thought.
Just reading your posts. Glad all went well with your tests even though it still hasn't provided you with answers. Sorry to hear that you have to resign from your job. You may be able to file for disablity based on your health issues and that's the reason they are letting you go.
My son has been under peds GI since he was 3 yrs. old. He's had about every bowel test there is out there other than the capsul endoscopy or the regular endoscopy that they put scope down throat. He had a cecostomy tube placement April of last year and then it was replaced this April. It was placed so we could give him flushes through it to try to help clear out his colon but he still is severely backed up w/stool. He has Encopresis, Megacolon, Acid Reflux, ADHD, Bipolar and Oppositional Defiance Disorder.
Our insurance approved for him to go to a bowel management program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and scheduled for mid-September this year.
I haven't gone to doctor yet for blood results on B-12 yet. I have an appt scheduled for this coming Wed. but I may call to see if I can get in earlier than that. I've been on my cycle for five going on six days now and feeling really tired and little energy. It was a wierd cycle this month. It started off light the first 3 days and then yesterday and today has been heavy ones. Usually it is opposite for me. I am not sure if it is just because I'm on Coumadin or not.
Aust - Did you say there is not a Celiac support group on here? If not try to get one started. I've known a few Celiac so it isn't that uncommon so I'm surprised there isn't already one on here.
Sorry ladies for the long post. Hope you both are doing well despite our health issues.
Take care and blessings,
Tabby
The capsule study was yesterday and I'm still not feeling right from the prep (still passing bile) and having some belly pain.
The work thing is more and more ok with me. I'm going to take the summer and spend it with the kids.
I was going to try to go to work today but it was just too much for me. I'm so tired. Going to lay low instead.
Even though I'm able to eat normally now, I'm just not hungry. All of this fasting has reset my appetite.
*sigh* here we go again..
Have they done a bone marrow test for autoimmune hemolytic anemia? 'Cause the symptoms you are having are similar to what I experience although not from child bearing circumstances.
I had a hemoglobin of 8.0 when admitted to hospital and they ran every test known to man on me, bleeding ulcers, internal bleeding from unknown source, you name it. Then they brought an oncologist in who specialized in blood diseases and he had a bone marrow test done on me and it showed the autoimmune disease as the culprit.
Prednisone is typically the treatment along with other meds to offset the side effects, sometimes a splenectomy is done if not controlled or cured the first way. I had all of that and still had a set back and then I turned to natural alternatives and they worked! Through a lot of prayers of many friends and myself and by God's Grace I am now in remission! I know that HE has the answers and you will be lead to the right people to find the answers, I'm praying that for you and standing on His promises!
Hugs, Cindy
Thank you for sharing your experience- the next step in my testing is the biopsy. Did you have any other lab work that indicated you needed the biopsy? My hemotologist seems stumped and not at all interested in finding a cause anymore. I had a uterine ablation and my hemoglobin is still dropping, a tiny bit slower, but dropping none the less. I'd be interested in hearing more about your experience :)
Cherie
I was severely anemic and had very, very heavy periods. After I had my last kid, I went and had a hysterectomy - one where they ONLY take out the uterus and leave the ovaries. That way I have no hormonal side effects. It took about three years of Venofer IVs to get my iron levels up to normal and to stabilize, but without any bleeding, I have held steady and feel fine now for six years. My hematologist was the absolute best ever - and he told me to check my ferritin and hgb every few years and come back if it begins to drop. I think I am more tired now than normal so it is time for a test, but I went from a exhausted mom of four to a mom who can run and play with her kids with those IVs and the hysterectomy. Never bleeding has its other benefits, too! :)