Langlois, I don't think it's uncommon to be fatigued after a phleb. It wasn't until I was on maintenance that I felt better after. The cardiologist isn't a bad idea, I saw one and it was helpful. If for no other reason than to rule the heart out.
That said I don't think you're whining and if you were, what better place. We're all in the same boat madly looking for oars.

Langlois, i think i responded to your last post as well...But if not, I am a believer of listening to your body. if it whipes you out too much then tell them to back it down. It is crucial to get the iron out....but at what expense. find what works for you!! what i have noticed, i feel like crap for about a week after phlebs.I too have been through the heart flutters and short of breath...soooo scary, i still deal with it a little!! but, i can calm myself by knowing it will pass! find a way to relax...which was next to impossible in the beginning...but now i can!! as far as having a bad reaction to phlebs.. they don't know why...i just do?? so they moved me to monthly...which is fine by me. I am fearful every time i go too ...but i know i am on the mend and it keeps getting better! that's my motivation! i know gidget and andrea gave me some great advice for preparing for them if you look back in the post's. or maybe they'll jump in here too and share again. but be honest with your dr. and find the fit for you!

I hope you can find a way to get through this...because it does get better...i swear! i have been where you are and it didn't feel like i was getting better and doing the phlebs made me feel worse. it has been such a subtle change every day. you don't just wake up and say WOW i feel great! it is little things you ll notice...day by day things start to feel like the world seems right again. hang in there and please NEVER feel like your whining...that is not how any of us look at it when someone ask for advice/help! Things will get there... keep fighting!!

BD

in that last post i mentioned andrea and gidget had advice for preparing for phlebs...I left out queenie...she too had some wonderful advice for phlebs as well! anyway...just a few resources for you Langlois!

I can completely relate to the heart palps and shortness of breath as well. I am in maintenance now and still get them, they are scary and I am addressing them this week at my follow up appointment. Like BDTD said, listening to your body is key and if anything it will ease your mind to have things assessed instead of sitting there worrying yourself more sick. You are by no means "whining" and you are certainly not alone, hang in there! :-)

langlois ,years ago my doc prescribed xnax for the same symptoms you are suffering ,he told me it was anixety attacks, now its been over ten years and I now know its the hemochromatosis that caused the whole thing but I only take one half a pill on rare occasions and one at night to sleep because I suffer from severe nite mares but other wise I look at them as a safty net and it helped me tremendously because I too was suffering from high blood pressure since I was in my 20s which I am also proud to say is now normal for the first time in my life and I slowly weined myself off blood meds without the help of a doctor ,phelbotomys for me is like a breath of fresh air ,I am blessed with good veins but they give me such a boost of energy ,I feel so sad for everyone that suffers from the treatment process .Hope this has been some what helpful for you ,good luck ,Queenie

I still get heart palps and extreme shortness of breath - sometimes the palps go in for hours, always at night (or at least that's when I notice them!) I was sent to a state-of-the-art cardiology clinic, where they did all the tests in existence, including the 24 hour monitor thingy. My heart is fine, not enlarged and not diseased - I just have palps. Which is, whilst v annoying (and it keeps me awake!), reassuring at the same time. I was prescribed beta blockers, which don't really work, I have to confess, so I suppose it's just something I'll have to put up with.

It's normal to feel tired after a phleb - you've just lost a pint of blood, after all :-) I don't bleed well, there is one particular phlebotomist who treats me, as I am prone to fainting, vomiting etc and my BP hits the floor. First time it happened, they thought I was a goner (so did I!) :-)

Eat and drink loads before and after, rest for 15 mins after, try to get head higher than feet (in any event lie flat).

You're not whining, honest :-)

Oh, and by the rate your ferritin is dropping, I wouldn't say it'll take you as long as a year to get de-ironed.