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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ColemanS 01/19/2010

Interesting article I found by setting a Google alert for "hemochromatosis." On a personal note, it may be too early to tell, but i haven't had any bacterial infections since I started phelbotomies last year. Before I was diagnosed in August, I had a dozen or so ailments that required antibiotics. Maybe there is a silver lininig to what we have to endure!

http://www.empowher.com/news/herarticle/2010/01/19/could-giving-blood-boost-your-immunity

deleted_user 01/20/2010

I suffered so many of those infections too, I didn't know till much later, it was the HH. I haven't had any in over a year! I am sooo happy with that part.
Feels good, huh?
Patty

GidgetD 01/20/2010

I here people talking all the time about all the infections they get and I think I must be lucky because once I started phlebbing I never got sick, For five years now I have not even had a cold. No illness whatsoever. I go to my phlebbs every three weeks with a smile on because I love my life now. I am healthier than Ever.

bronxpreston 01/20/2010

Back in 2003, I had a very bad cold and canceled the phlebotomy. I was told on another HH group (Yahoo) that I should have had the phlebotomy. I would have felt better.
Now-a-days I rarely get any infections.

deleted_user 01/20/2010

I rarely get colds etc, haven't for many years, ditto 'flu (and only had 'flu injections for last 2 years).

I did have a terrible helicobacter pylori infection (with ulcer) few months ago, for which I couldn't take the anti-bios (they almost killed me!) - so I eventually cured it with herbal remedies. No idea if it was related to HH though.

deleted_user 01/20/2010

Thanks Coleman ,its nice to have referances to what I have been preaching to my family and close friends ( donate blood )

deleted_user 01/20/2010

Yes there is an upside to this disease and that is the purging that happens when we have the phlebotomy done. I did not have a cold or the flu or any infections when I was first diagnosed. When I stopped having phlebotomy because my level or iron were down guess who end up with walking pneumonia, colds and flues. Yep so give me a phlebotomy especially during the winter months. Bloodletting is one of the oldest medical practices, having been practiced among ancient peoples including the Mesopotamians, the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Mayans, and the Aztecs. So lets forget all this modern stuff and keep blood letting i.e. phlebotomy make us healthy

GidgetD 01/21/2010

I agree Santaruss, I have never been healthier than I am now. My blood pressure is perfect, my choleseral is great and since being de-ironed my hypoglycemia is non exsistant, Like I said I am happy to get phlebbed.

deleted_user 01/30/2010

Why am I always the one in the group? LOL

I have had a cold since December with nagging cough. It went away and then it came back. Yesterday, my throat and ear started hurting.

Think I'll get with the doc on my day off Wednesday if not better.

Irony 01/31/2010

Sandye55, you are not alone. I have been fighting a bad cold for three weeks now, I just can't seem to shake it.

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