Hemochromatosis Support Group

Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disease characterized by improper processing by the body of dietary iron which causes iron to accumulate in a number of body tissues, eventually causing organ dysfunction. It is the main iron overload disorder. Hemochromatosis is notorious for having symptoms that are often initially misattributed to other diseases.

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I think I’m fresh out of blood ;)

vampslayer
vampslayer

I have just completed my 5th phleb and today my blood completely stopped flowing about half way through. I told the nurse I must have run out because they keep taking it all. ;) Has anyone else had this happen? Any solutions or ideas? I’m a pretty small person, 5’2” and about 100 pounds so they already give me IV fluids before and during. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!  Any many prayers and good thoughts for all going through this!


Cap6
Cap6
That happened to me on the 4th draw. They, of course, had to stop for the day. By the next week the blood was flowing again !
brucekingfield
brucekingfield
I've been getting phlebs for two and a half years (I started at 4,000 ferritin). Usually, things are uneventful and fast, though here and there the blood seems to trickle out and once did just stop and seemed extra thick. It didn't happen again, so don't worry that because it happened once, you are doomed to this being your new "normal". Not sure why, but they said it was thicker than usual. Could be attributed to less hydration. My labs were done and nothing was unusual. Hoping yours is just a one-time thing like mine, but I will throw in a little more info in case it helps...

I would just say the usual: drink a lot of liquids, and I'm not sure if coffee and tea help or hurt in this situation, throwing it out for people who may know more...I don't know if the effect would cause to be thinner or thicken. I would also ask your doctor if a half an aspirin before may help. I avoid aspirin when I can as it's not friendly to HH patients' liver.
Cap6
Cap6
Drink lots and lots of water, especially the day before your phleb. Can make a big difference.
Pudding80
Pudding80
vampslayer,

I have had dozens of phlebotomies now and this happened to me once only. I think I wasn't sufficiently hydrated so the treatment was more painful and I was probably more stressed.

My nurse says that I don't have to drink much during the day before but I always do and I drink a lot on the day more. It is not much fun drinking more than you need to but I find it helps a lot.

My nurse said to have phlebotomies in the afternoon as the body is better-hydrated than the morning so I always have them in the afternoon now.

Try and make your day as stress-free as possible. I work from home in the morning, leave early to go to the hospital, have nice, light lunch and read then go to the clinic a bit early and settle down and read and drinks some more. This works for me.

I hope you don't have a repeat performance.

Christine