i am almost done overcoming the damn flu and the next thing is that my heart beats fast i have to sit down for five minutes each time this crap is overrated and im damn tired of it. im 25 and my mom is sick also
View 2 RepliesI've been wondering for a long time whether I have some mild iron deficiency. I feel very weak and tired a lot, I used to just dismiss it as not getting enough sleep but I'm not sure anymore. Other possible symptoms of anemia I have are really pale skin, restless legs and sometimes dizzy spells. Can anemia be related to menstrual cycles? I've noticed that I feel/look the worst during my period, not sure if that means anything? I am seriously considering bringing this to my doctor's attention, especially since I heard about checking your eyelids and this is how mine appeared. My inner eyelids are both a really pale pink. Am I possibly mildly anemic?
View 3 RepliesI recently had 2 iron infusions. My iron level was previously a 6 and my B12 is super low as well. I was always tired, had a racing heart, craved popsicles and bruised super easily. The main cause is that I have extremely heavy periods.
My concern is that it has been 7 weeks since my last infusion and I am bruising more than ever. ..I brush by something and get a big bruise. I'm embarrassed to wear shorts...I'm not as tired as before and no more heart palpitations. I had an appt for a follow up last week and they did more blood work to recheck my iron and B12 levels. I should have the results monday. BUT my concern is all of these bruises...what could be going on? I've been tested for some genetic iron disorder and that was negative as well as the other disorder (I forget the name---it mainly affects those of Mediterranean descent ).
I have been having joint pain, general body pain, fatigue, depression and anxiety for years. I was dx with fibro about 3 years ago. It was first suspected almost 20 years ago. My mouth and eyes are painfully dry. My lips constantly crack. I recently had a PAP done and the GYN remarked how dry my vagina was (I'm not sexually active so I never noticed).
I recently saw a rheumatologist here in the State (I had previously seen one in Korea). She did a bunch of blood work. My Vit D was 28 (reference range was 30-70). RF, ANA were negative. CRP not done, but has been elevated in the past (multiple draws over a two year period, but none in the last year). ESR was 58 and has been elevated for 20 years (I went through a lot of blood work in high school and nothing was ever found, but it was with ID, not Rheum).
Rheum was next to useless. She said the sed rate wasn't relevant and that there was no need to worry about the Vit D (which was lower in the past) even though I was taking 2000 IU a day.
After talking to my GP, he had me increase the D supplement to 4000 IU/day. He also wrote me a new referral to a different rheum. This one specializes in seronegative arthritis.
I try to be an informed consumer. Current rheum just wants to throw more pills at the issue without getting to the root of it. It seems like if I go in with a fibro dx, everything must be fibro. How do I approach this new appointment (in September!!) to finally figure things out? This new doctor will be in the UH system as are all my other docs. I think she'll have access to previous lab results, if not I can pull them up in my EMR.
I could use words of wisdom, advice, a kick in the butt (if necessary), etc.
I noticed that I bruise very easily lately. I was told back in February I had very low iron so was taking 325 mg of iron (ferrous sulfate) 3x a day! I took this for 3 months, had my iron levels checked AGAIN and my iron went DOWN MORE instead of up!
I was having major leg cramping at night-- that has gone down since I've been taking a muscle relaxer EVERY night due to my TMJ acting up at the same time. I am still taking iron supplements and trying to eat more iron but due to TMJ it is hard at times. I drink TONS of water.
I have had itchy legs in the evening so I scratch them and I noticed the other day my thigh, the outside of my right thigh (quadricep really) is BRUISED, like bad! I also notice small bruises on my ankle bones which I have NO clue where I get them from. I see my doc again next week and will bring this up. Anyone else have this going on? I also black out a lot when I stand up, but that has been going on for years. Usually if I get up too fast.
p.s. my thyroid and kidney function came back normal. I had a whole panel done, with blood work. I think my vitamin D was a little low but I take extra of that with calcium at night.
I can't wait to be able to sleep any position I want especially on my tummy. 10 days till due date.. I know I'll be able to sleep better whe. Babe is here eve with having the nightly feeding.
View 4 Repliesi am new to these discussions but I do know how many of you feel. I have mentioned that I was diagnosed with mixed connective disease, lupus, fibromyalgia and who the hell knows what else. I can't work becuause if I sit to long, my legs start falling asleep. If I stand to long, my legs start aching. I feel exhausted all the time like when I wake up in the morning, I could just as easily go back to bed and sleep my entire life away. I wish there was something in a bottle that gave you energy. I miss my old life when I used to work out all the time and had enough energy for 10 people and then one morning I woke up and couldn't bend my leg back, it just wouldn't work so my family doctor sent me to a rheumatoidologist and he is the one that took all my blood from my body, that's what it feels like sometimes, and gave me the great news of having all these diseases but no medication seemed to work. I went to another rheumatoidologist and he put me on Lyrica which helps my upper joints but my legs were in such pain I felt like it was to much to even walk down the hall. Now along with my family doctor, my rheumatologist and my pain doctor, I take Lyrica for joint pain and oxycodone and fentenal patches for pain, especially when my mixed connective disease starts up, it just brings my systemic lupus to life and I get the butterfly rashes mostly on my upper arms which adds to my stress which makes my fibro flare up and gives me pain in my legs and then it just starts over. It seems to be a cycle especially when it's hot. I also start sweating like I was in a sauna all day just on my head and face. People look at me like did you know your sweating like a pig. It's embarrassing but I don't know what to do about that so I put ice on my head at night to keep my head cool so I won't start swearing. I've never had that problem before but only since these diseases came and decided to stop on my little doorstep. I am a true believer that stress can cause all sorts of bad things including diseases. I am just going to try to start yoga but I have to absolutely force myself to do this. I start next week. The worse thing I could have done 12 years ago when I was diagnosed with all this crap was to stop exercising.
View 5 RepliesHere's a brief background and symptoms I've been having. I've been a migraine sufferer since my preteens. Mainly migraines with aura but also morning headaches etc. about 7 yrs ago I gained 40 lbs very quickly over a 1-2 yr period and was exhausted all the time. I went to pcp office and saw a dr other than my own. She commented on my weight gain like she was appalled and asked if I was depressed. I did not feel depressed just frustrated mostly. She did a tsh test and said it was normal. I was also having what I was told was possibly ibs (mostly d but also c) and have dealt with this for the past 7 yrs as well. Skip ahead a couple years I noticed a correlation between the ibs and eating gluten products. I visited with my dr and he had me get a celiac panel. The results came up negative. I should also mention I was eating gf before the test so wonder how that may have effected the results. Fall/winter 2011 I was extremely fatigued, sore joints, muscle aches, hard time falling and staying asleep, noticed cold bothering me more ( I live in New England) so in January I found a new dr near where I lived. He basically said that it may be seasonal affective disorder even tho I told him I really didn't feel depressed just exhausted. After basic bloodwork as well as tsh and the wrong vitamin d test he said all was normal, get some rest. All I could think was gee thanks. So I saw another dr shortly after who was great but he tested me for Lyme and lupus which were both neg and also the correct vit d test which showed I was at a 6 and severely deficient. After a few months 50000 iu and then continued 1000 iu daily with some results of less fatigue. A couple months ago I started to feel the extreme leg cramps again, joint pain especially in knees and wrist, extreme fatigue as well as new symptoms of ringing in ears, dry scaly skin that I can literally rub off. I have always lost a lot of hair with showering and brushing but it seems like more lately. I called my pcp and asked for another vit d test thinking it may be related. come to find out it was a 17 so not as low as before but still low. I've done a little research and I feel like it could be hypothyroidism but I am unsure exactly what I should request for tests from my dr. I don't want to waste money on something if it doesn't seem needed. Any advice would be greatly welcome. I am just tired of being tired and frustrated.
View 5 RepliesMy most recent hemogram shows that my ferritin is at 0.7, and that scared the pants out of me. I also have low hemoglobin, my serum iron is nearly at normal levels, just a few points below normal. I have to wait for my doctor to come from his medical absence before I can show him the tests.
Until then I'm taking the iron supplements I was prescribed 2 months ago. I want to take some vitamin C to help with the absorption, but I have a little issue: I'm allergic to citric acid, so orange juice or other citrus fruits are out of the question.
Any suggestions on what I should eat to give my iron levels a push? Or should I just get a vitamin C supplement as well?
I was told I have anemia a long time ago and have been taking B-12 shots for years. now the DRS tell me I have very low immunoglobulin? Can anyone tell me more about this? I also want to ask does anyone with anemia crave peanut butter?. I also have found myself chewing ice. I never had done this.
View 2 Repliesdoes lymphoma always cause anemia?
View 1 RepliesOK here whats going on with my health.in 2009 I had what drs told me it was "panic attack" later on started feeling depressed along with body aches and nausea and lost of appetite and headaches. Well I was told it was caused by depression so was prescribe drugs .i had them a few weeks but stopped taking them because they were just making me feel really sick .I was diagnosed with lupus in 2011. Before being diagnosed with lupus it took several yrs for doctors to diagnosed me with lupus. They did several lupus test until it finally showed up. Few yrs ago I started noticing that when I would swallow something in my throat would bother me and was dealing with hoarseness but drs didn't really care about it.in 2012 I went to see my Dr about stomach discomfort and some chest pains and too much gas and was told I probably had an ulcer so prescribe me some meds. Never cared to take them. Last yr September 2015 I went to see my new Dr about feeling tired,sleepy,nauseous,lost of appetite,lightheaded,insomnia, stomach discomfort,headaches. She did blood work and told me to go back in two wks. Well for some reason I never went back sooo I ended up going back last week for the same feelings except worse.I was now feeling dizzy,anxious,sad/depressed, brain fog,aches on legs and arms,fainting feeling,heart palpitation just out of it. Lucky I got to my Dr office safe because I would feel dizzy while driving. Well Dr noticed I never went back in sept to get blood results so she tells me that they have been calling me to let me know I was anemic and my thyroid was off. The calling part was mybfault because I changed my phone number and never called the Dr to change it. Well no wonder I have been feeling this way and worse! So she has me do another blood work and tells me to go back and see her in two wks and gave me iron pills. Have to take 2 a day 325 mg. And some stool softener pills and some meds for my ulcer. Today is Tuesday and still need to wait 6 more days to see my Dr. My problem is that I'm not feeling very well and my depression is getting worse and my anxiety too and all these other symptoms too excepts the dizziness has calmed down a little but still get dizzy. I also noticed teeth marks on the side of my tongue. Don't know if my tongue has gotten a little swollen since ei have the marks. My question is if she noticed I was anemic last yr why wouldn't she just prick my finger and see how low I have it. What if I need a blood transfusion. She didn't give me anything for my thyroid so what if that's the reason why I'm feeling really sluggish and really depress. The more the days go by the more depress and anxious that I get .i have trouble taking naps during the day because I don't feel right. I have 5 kids to take care of and I can't focus on them 100% because I'm feeling bad. Can't wait to see my Dr and see the results of my iron and thyroid. I never had issues with my thyroid now it seems like I do. Could it be because of my lupus. Keep in mind I never took meds for my lupus or my ulcer so there are no meds that could interfere with the blood work. I am a person that believes in taking supplements instead of drugs but the way I am feeling I am willing to take anything to make me feel better again because its not fare that my littles ones have to ask my older kids that they want something because I'm laying on the sofa feeling really Bad
View 4 RepliesI have been told that I am anaemic my level are very low at 5. This has happened periodically for over 15 years. Is this level dangerous? Is there any way to feel better fast I've slept for days and feel do poorly
View 3 Repliesl have iron deficiency anemia had 3 infusions. The first 2 l had in hospital and l felt normal after a week, it lasted 2 weeks now l have all the symptoms back so the doctor gave me another infusion a week ago which hasn't worked yet. l have a burning feeling in my toes and find it hard to walk as l feel week is that from not having enough iron. lm so sick of feeling this way
View 1 RepliesI've known I'm anemic for like 3 years now and my first appointment I told my Dr I was and he didn't really care. I got a call today from my doctor's office telling me I'm anemic and they sounded so worried lol. I'm 29 weeks now and they just now wanna take care of it. Do they just give you a prescription for anemia? Waiting for Dr to call me back about it. Ugh.
View 6 RepliesAfter noticing a recent decrease in my athletic performance, I sent a message to my doctor early last week. My primary care physician ordered blood work and sent me to a hematologist in oncology. The hematologist said it was "very unlikely" cancer and ordered more blood work. Further blood work confirmed I have iron deficiency anemia.
All my blood work was normal apart from the indices related to iron deficiency. Ferritin was low, indicating iron deficiency and not anemia of chronic disease. Bone marrow is producing a normal amount of red blood cells. I have not recently donated or lost substantial quantities of blood. I have not had any tarry stools or seen blood in my stool. A rectal exam was negative for the presence of blood. (This test involved a doctor inserting a gloved finger into my rectum and then testing the glove for blood.) I have no bruising and my blood clots normally. I have not seen any blood in my urine. I have no other ongoing health conditions.
For the last 5 years, I have run 52 miles a week. I eat very little red meat, no more than a few times a year. I do regularly eat poultry, fish, and eggs. I have had semi-frequent nose bleeds, averaging one a month, since childhood.
The hematologist put me on a high potency iron supplement -- 130mg of iron and 250mg of vitamin c per day.
All my doctors have discounted the possibility the anemia could have been caused by my running, despite there being ample evidence in medical journals that excessive exercise can lead to iron deficiency.
If it's not cancer and i'm not losing blood through my gastrointestinal tract, what is causing it? I do feel improved since starting the iron supplement on Monday, but my athletic performance is not where I'd like it to be. I don't have any further doctor visits scheduled at this time. I am to have blood work in 1-2 months to test my iron levels again.
My blood work is below:
IRON 24
TOTAL IRON BINDING CAPACITY 380
IRON/TOTAL IRON BINDING CAPACITY 6%
FERRITIN 5.6
VIT B12 549
FOLATE 17.62
RETICULOCYTE COUNT, ABSOLUTE 2.5
WBC'S AUTO3.4
RBC, AUTO4.52
HGB 10.6
HEMATOCRIT34.2
MCV 75.6
MCH 23.5
MCHC 31.0
RDW, BLOOD18.0
PLATELETS, AUTOMATED COUNT 206
MPV 8.7
CHOLESTEROL 127
HDL 43
CHOLESTEROL, NON-HDL 84
TRIGLYCERIDE 48
LDL 74
HGBA1C 5.4
GLUCOSE POST FAST 87
BUN 21
CREATININE1.2
TOTAL PROTEIN6.6
ALBUMIN 4.8
GLOBULIN1.8
ALBUMIN/GLOBULIN RATIO, SERUM/PLASMA 2.7
CALCIUM 9.4
AST 21
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE 51
BILIRUBIN, TOTAL 0.8
LDH 157
PHOSPHATE, BLD, QN 4.2
URIC ACID5.3
TSH,BLD,QN1.680
Does anyone get a headache when you skip a meal? I do. Is this a symptom of anemia?
View 2 RepliesI am 31 weeks and just found out i have anemia.. Dr said it is really low ... Anyone in the same situation? Any natural options to make the red blood cells go up?
View 2 RepliesI have Lyme disease, leaky gut and an unresolved intestinal issue that cause me pain every time I eat. I am also deficient in several vitamins. I take supplements, but I'm not sure if they are enough. I have lost a lot of weight recently and am not getting all the nutrients I need. Should I be tested for anemia?
View 3 RepliesI was diagnosed with low b12 in September last year. My levels were at 70. My Dr had me tested to see whether my body had stopped absorbing b12, or I was just low in it from my diet. It turned out I can absorb it but I was just low in b12 at that time for whatever reason. I had loading injections every other day for 2 weeks. Then I was put on b12 tablets for 3 months. After the initial loading injections I felt better, but then on the tablets deteriorated again. I was tested after the 3 months and my levels were normal this time. However I still felt awful, so my Dr has advised I have an injection every 3 months. But still they are making no difference. I don't have the energy to even get myself dressed in the morning. I have a 1 and 2 year old and I find life so hard with no energy at all. I really can't cope anymore, every aspect of my life is suffering but I don't understand why since my levels are normal now.
View 1 RepliesOkay, so I was diagnosed with anemia about 2 years ago. I'm pretty sure that I've had this since I started high school, which was almost 8 years ago. 2 years ago my doc said my hemoglobin was 10.1 and told me to take iron supplements to improve it. I had to stop due to the side effects, but I recently started taking liquid iron supps. My anemia is more than likely caused by my periods, which have been extremely heavy for years, and I have to schedule an appt with the OBGYN soon. Lately, I've noticed that my periods have been getting heavier and shorter. Also, the month or 2 I've been feeling like my symptoms are getting worse. I have SOB, and I feel like I can't breathe in enough air(feels like a pressure in my chest). I also have had lightheadedness, weakness, extreme exhaustion (to the point where I sometimes have to miss school because I am too tired to get out of bed), PICA, trouble focusing, and I have been extremely pale for a few years. I thought I was just being stupid so I tried to get through this on my own for a while, but now my SOB and chest pressure won't go away and I am so exhausted that I don't know how much longer I can do this. I have a really busy schedule but I feel like my body is going to give out if I keep going on like this. I don't know what to do anymore. I didn't go back to the doc for so long because I figured my iron is probably not even going to be really low and I'm one of those people that doesn't like to go to the er unless I'm dying or in severe pain. Does anyone have any advice on what I can do to improve my sx? I'm definitely going to try to go see the doc about this. It's frustrating because I feel like no one understands what I'm going through, but it seems like people on here know a lot about anemia so I thought I'd come here to ask for help.
View 1 Replies