Totally understand your pain.. I have been out of sorts for so long, joint pain, muscle weakness, no energy,etc. I'm a 56 yr. old Women. Finally diagnosed severe Osteoporosis. I thought great.. now I know. It gets better, super high liver enzymes.. 4 Doctors 62 blood tests, a liver scan, liver biopsy and a Genetic HH test. Hemochromatosis!! So now I really know. I'll be seeing Gastro Dr. next week to start my treatment plan.. Have you been to Gastro Dr.? liver scan? blood work? genetic testing? It took 4 Doctors and 6 months to figure it all out.. Your Gastro Doctor will be the most helpful. Hopefully you will get the proper Diagnosis,and be able to move forward with your life.. I can't wait to get on the road to recovery..take care

Thank you so much for your comments Blondiegirl. I just found a week ago I have ALL the HH symptoms and I got my first confirmatory medical and lab appointment for next week. At this point, I have no doubt about what would be the diagnostic now that I know and suffer all the symptoms every day for years now. I already started with a diet suspending everything can increase my Fe levels. I will post next week my lab analysis here and then will start whatever process I need to be. I have been with ups and downs this week, feeling sad and worry. I have been in a lot of pain for so long I can see now how difficult is to get to this one genetic disorder due the variety of physical issues. Right now my mayor issues in that order are the severe joint pain in my hands, my muscle weakness (many muscle tear now), heart problems, feeling exhaust, mental fog, hair and libido loss. I am a farmer, so having this intense joint pain, muscle tear and no energy has been affecting me specially this year. Without knowing, this year I made the BIG mistake of start taking A LOT of Vit C trying to boost my immune system which I know accelerated exponentially all my symptoms at once. I know it was a very bad call but was not even near to suspect about Genetic HH back then. Anyway. I wish you also the best and you can feel better, You too take care and thank you so much for your words. Best regards, Jorge.

Hi Jorge, don't be so hard on yourself.. we all just learning and dealing with a condition that is new to us.. I have been reading a lot since this craziness started. Confirm that all is not lost. We have to think positive

Please let me know how things are going with you..Take care Jorge

Hi Blondiegirl. I do have my first appointment to get the order for the lab Analysis. I will do the first set of blood analysis in Quest Diagnostics Labs that are recommended by the Heal-the-Iron group, affiliate of the Iron Disorders Institute. I will do the FeGGT LifePro test.

https://www.directlabs.com/healtheiron/TestDetail.aspx?testid=1510

Mental fog and hair loss is also an issue that worries me besides the joint/muscle pain and heat problems...I really hope all these pains and issues can be reverted once I get under control. I just want to have the confirmatory diagnostic to jump into the wagon of my new life-style.

Have a great weekend! :)

That's​ great.. I think half the battle is knowing that we're up against. Sorry about your hair loss, that has to suck. I don't feel to foggy but I'm a Blonde.. haha. I'm​ hopefully that in time pain will fade as energy and balance is restored. Praying that your Heart is strong.. take care, blondiegirl

LOL @ your blonde comment :) Even I am going to have my lab test next week, I already started with a new diet regime suppressing all heavy Iron food I use to have before, mostly seafood and raw fish. I am a shrimp farmer, so I do eat plenty of my own organically farm-raise shrimp. I do love octopus and raw fish like tuna, marlin, mahi, etc. All of those are gone from my diet now. I also cut on dark green vegetables like broccoli. I cut on chocolate and grains like lentils. I do not drink nor smoke so I am OK there.
I still have plenty of hair, just start falling a little bit, but really do not want to get bold, haha...I guess I will lose some weight since I am also doing swimming for exercise, just a little bit, not too hard.
Thank you so much for your prayers, yes, my heart worries me but I am happy I feel I am in the corrective track and I found you to share my feelings and experiences.
My prayers also to you wishing you feel better and better in your journey. Thanks, Jorge.

dang... Seafood is my favorite. I did read handling raw seafood is a no-no also consuming raw seafood... there goes our Oysters, sashmi,etc. SAD! I was wondering what kind of Farmer in Florida. I'm in the Restaurant business, so food is my life.. I'm going to do some research about food combos, I'll let you know what I find out. I will be talking with my Gastro Dr. on Tuesday He is a Very Educated man about Hh. He is the Doctor who helped me figure out that was going on with My health... I have been just watching my diet not going to go crazy just yet.. I quit smoking 3 years ago... I use to love me some wine but no drinks for 8 months due to my compromised liver, which I hope will show some improvement once my treatments start. Lets keep positive and moving forward..We don't want worry lines on Our pretty little faces! take care Jorge..keep smilin' blondegirl

Yes, having to take out raw fish and shellfish from my diet practically turns me into a Vegetarian...Ugggh...I always complained so much about vegetarian people and turn out I am becoming one of them...haha...Karma I guess...anyway. I read Green Tea, Coffee and Boiled Eggs are good so at least I can keep my morning coffee and my evening tea. Later today I will get my first Dr prescription for the blood samples I will also do this Wednesday for the first time to check my Iron levels. I read the goal is to keep Ferritin under 50 and the % of Saturation below 50%. I will know by the end of the week maybe what are my starting point levels.
During the day I do not feel tired, there is so much work to do in the farm I am mentally programmed to NOT feel tired. However, after my work day, once at home, around 4:30 PM, I can literally fall asleep anywhere...also the pain comes, the heart, etc...I wonder how much the MIND plays into this? I will also start working on the mental side of this thing as I move forward.
Have a blessed week! Bye, Jorge.

It's mind over matter.. I come from high energy people,you know those get it done types. When I'm working the pain has to take a back seat, I just slap a smile on my face and keep on moving...At home ice pack, heating pad,foot soak,etc. to help with the pain. I also use knee and elbow wraps they help support the joints. Good luck with your tests​. and make sure you get your Heart checked out that sounds very scary. I lost my brother to Cardiomyopathy waiting for a Heart that never came.. He was 47 years old,. Now I wonder if he had Hh. Let's be happy that We are on the discovery tour with a new healthy life ahead!! I will miss my Prime Rib though..Sad face*. Take care Jorge

I'm also worried about my heart. I will have my first blood lab analysis this Thursday. Today I feel really bad... pain is killing me, joints, heart, muscles... Still at work, have a busy day and I am feeling miserable. Will be back later... :(

Hi Jorge, hope all will go well with your Blood work tomorrow. I started my long journey of blood letting today, not​ to bad just takes a little longer with small veins and slow moving blood. I will be going once a week for quite awhile. My serum ferritin is 2070** outrageous I know. I feel pretty great full my body was trying to tell me something and I listened.. Right now I'm in Stage 3 Liver Fibrosis, Liver full of iron deposits and scar tissue, one step away from Scary Cirrhosis. My GI doctor says in about 5 years my liver maybe recovered..That's my goal and to become a Grandma ;) I will be thinking of you tomorrow and praying for a good outcome.. take care Jorge. Blondiegirl*

I am happy to hear you started your new journey to fully recovery! I also just started mine with yesterday's blood sampling. I will know the results next week. I did a full blood analysis as recommended by the "Heal the Iron" website. So, time to wait now keeping my low-iron diet. For your blood letting, I am reading people are recommending to have a nice meal before your appointment and drink plenty of water before, during and after. I hope you do not feel uncomfortable while going through this. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I am also keeping in mine and wish you can accomplish your goals of becoming healthy and a wonderful Grandma :) Hugs to you! Jorge.

Hey Jorge, thanks for the kind thoughts.. Let me know when you get your results. I'm going to check out the Heal the Iron website. The phlebotomy isn't to bad yet but it's my first week hopefully my veins will hold up. Have a great weekend, it's getting pretty nice in Illinois. Take care, Blondiegirl*

Hi Blondiegirl, yes, I will share here my results once I get them, probably by middle next week. I uploaded my profile photo here :) I am having finally a full weekend off so I really want to rest after an intense week at the farm. Great to read weather is nice in Illinois, here in the Florida Keys is a little bit windy but sunny so it is also nice. Thanks for your wishes, I also wish you a lovely weekend and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Take care, Jorge.