I have had been feeling tired accompanied with anxiety and feeling down for months now. I knew that the tiredness was not normal - I would feel tired from any exertion such as climbing the stairs (not breathless - dizzy and wanting to lie down). I couldn't bring myself do normal everyday things like make my bed, make myself food or run errands let alone revise for my exams. So I knew it was anaemia and went to my doctor - hey ho, it turns out I have it pretty bad.

I've started my oral iron therapy now. I've been taking it for two weeks and not noticed any huge difference. I'm only marginally less tired. But I still feel so down. I had a bought of anxiety and depression a year or two ago but managed to get myself out of it but recently its coming back. I feel anxious all the time now and my heart races a lot. I'm such a downer to be around, and I'm not as friendly and chirpy like I once was. I just don't feel like myself whatsoever.

I can also feel myself drifting from all of my friends as I am too exhausted or too overwhelmed to reply to them and be a proper friend to them and when we hang out my sense of humour and sense of fun is completely dead. I have to force myself to laugh - I don't know the last time I actually laughed was. I hate that I've become someone who going into university and tries to avoid everyone just so I can get through the day. I used to be so sociable and self-confident. Now anything someone says to me, or if someone is aloof or snappy, it really affects me and I take it so personally. I don't like myself anymore and think I am totally ugly. My skin and hair aren't what they used to be and since I'm too tired to exercise I'm gaining weight too.

I read that anxiety and depression can be a symptom of anaemia so it totally makes sense and its like a light bulb went off my head. Plus over the past couple of months my brain feels like its in this fog and I do so many stupid mistakes in university which makes me feel even worse. It sucks feeling like you are horrible at the thing you're going to spend the rest of your life doing. What makes it even worse is that I got such a low mark in my exam, and rejections from 4 interviews for a job next year. My confidence is 0% lets just say... before I thought I could do and achieve anything and be at the top of my class, now I am lucky to even graduate.

I'm so sorry for this massive post but I just felt like letting it all out here. I really hope I am not alone. And I really hope this is all actually due to the anaemia. I am so so terrified that I am never going to get my confident, self-assured quick whitted, smart self back. :( What if she's gone forever...

I was contemplating asking my GP if I would be able to get intravenous iron therapy instead, because I honestly don't think I can live as this sub-human for 6 months plus. If anyone has any experience or advice on when things will start to pick up it will be very much appreciated...