| Posted By |
Message |
| Pages: [1] 2 |
MeeshkaMich
LL=Yum
Member since 2/06 5616 total posts
Name:
|
Iron Pills Week 3 Update on Anemia Today's doc appt.
Dear Iron Pills,
So its week 3 and you're still making my tummy and I'm still constantly tired and yet either I can't sleep as much  or I sleep too much and I'm still 
I don't like you...you're just little white pills how can you cause such side effects and discomfort not to mention pain.
The sounds and pain coming from my tummy are just 
Sigh...how many more months to go?
I think its time to def. add red meat back into my diet.
Signed,
Extremely anemic and blah.
Countdown Until this is moved to HEALTH board 5...4...3...2...1...
Update:3/28
So I went to the Gyno today to rule out fibroids. Good news...no fibroids thank god.
Bad news: Looks like its my menstrual cycles that are contributing to being anemic. apparently having heavy periods can cause this and in the long term not good obviously.
So my doc did an internal sonogram and he couldn't 100% confirm but might have polyps as well. From what I understand itd be benign and not to worry but have to find out if it def. is because that could be affecting the cycles as well. I have to go back next month at the end of my cycle to see.
Here's the scary part, he said to do this they pour saline into you
I asked if it hurt he said the speculum gets put in same as when they do the yearly exam and then they do the saline, this will cause cramping and I will be uncomfortable but have to get it done.
Anyone ever have this done before? Please tell me its not bad
So now pretty much have to wait and see if its polyps if it is I def. have to start taking BC to make my periods lighter. HE said if its not, its up to me if I want to take BC. I've in the past not wanted to but if I need it so I'm not anemic anymore and get back energy and not feel sick all the time I will gladly take it. He suggested low dose Loestrin 24. Thoughts on this BC?
Feel a little better knowing what is causing the anemia, and happy to report that he checked my hemoglobin there and its no up at 10.3 still not normal range but a lot better than the 7.9 it was at 3 weeks ago.
Message edited 3/28/2008 8:35:55 PM.
|
Posted 3/25/08 8:47 PM  |
| |
|
HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
have you inquired about getting IV Iron instead?
It has fewer side affects and you may need fewer doses.
|
| Posted 3/25/08 9:18 PM |
| |
|
Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Im with you. Im on Iron as well. Like I have said before, I am like the LIE in Friday Summer Hamptons traffic - at a standstill.
|
| Posted 3/25/08 9:29 PM |
| |
|
Shorty
.
Member since 5/05 30390 total posts
Name:
really
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
I was on a heavy dose (2x normal dose) of Chromagen for months.... my stomach never got used to it. The pain only stopped once I stopped the pills.
|
| Posted 3/25/08 9:29 PM |
| |
|
MeeshkaMich
LL=Yum
Member since 2/06 5616 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by Shorty
The pain only stopped once I stopped the pills.
ugh nooooo dont tell me that
|
| Posted 3/25/08 9:32 PM |
| |
|
MeeshkaMich
LL=Yum
Member since 2/06 5616 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by Goldi0218
Im with you. Im on Iron as well. Like I have said before, I am like the LIE in Friday Summer Hamptons traffic - at a standstill.
I'm with ya
|
| Posted 3/25/08 9:32 PM |
| |
|
MeeshkaMich
LL=Yum
Member since 2/06 5616 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by Jennie0898
have you inquired about getting IV Iron instead?
It has fewer side affects and you may need fewer doses.
Doctor told me have to try the iron and see if it helps, it takes a couple months from what I understand before there's a difference. If it doesn't get better then my only option is blood transfusion 
|
| Posted 3/25/08 9:33 PM |
| |
|
HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by MeeshkaMich
Posted by Jennie0898
have you inquired about getting IV Iron instead?
It has fewer side affects and you may need fewer doses.
Doctor told me have to try the iron and see if it helps, it takes a couple months from what I understand before there's a difference. If it doesn't get better then my only option is blood transfusion
A blood transfusion is not your only option. Ask for Venofer. It's an intravenous iron.
Venofer
I would look into this as an option before getting a transfusion.
|
| Posted 3/25/08 10:04 PM |
| |
|
MeeshkaMich
LL=Yum
Member since 2/06 5616 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by Jennie0898
Posted by MeeshkaMich
Posted by Jennie0898
have you inquired about getting IV Iron instead?
It has fewer side affects and you may need fewer doses.
Doctor told me have to try the iron and see if it helps, it takes a couple months from what I understand before there's a difference. If it doesn't get better then my only option is blood transfusion
A blood transfusion is not your only option. Ask for Venofer. It's an intravenous iron.
Venofer
I would look into this as an option before getting a transfusion.
thanks for posting this, I'm going to look
|
| Posted 3/25/08 10:06 PM |
| |
|
HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
you're welcome. good luck!
|
| Posted 3/25/08 10:39 PM |
| |
|
MeeshkaMich
LL=Yum
Member since 2/06 5616 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by Jennie0898
you're welcome. good luck!
feeling weak today
|
| Posted 3/26/08 9:57 AM |
| |
|
Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
what's causing the anemia?
|
| Posted 3/26/08 10:08 AM |
| |
|
MeeshkaMich
LL=Yum
Member since 2/06 5616 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by Blu-ize
what's causing the anemia?
low iron really low
|
| Posted 3/26/08 10:10 AM |
| |
|
ClientServices
Kim
Member since 3/06 1383 total posts
Name:
Client Services
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by MeeshkaMich
Countdown Until this is moved to HEALTH board 5...4...3...2...1...
You got it.  Would be easier if you posted on there in the first place. LIF members ask for new boards to be created so please use them.
|
| Posted 3/26/08 10:13 AM |
| |
|
MeeshkaMich
LL=Yum
Member since 2/06 5616 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by ClientServices
Posted by MeeshkaMich
Countdown Until this is moved to HEALTH board 5...4...3...2...1...
You got it. Would be easier if you posted on there in the first place. LIF members ask for new boards to be created so please use them.
Sorry it was more of a vent post, but I know I know should have posted on HEALTH.
|
| Posted 3/26/08 10:24 AM |
| |
|
Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by MeeshkaMich
Posted by Blu-ize
what's causing the anemia?
low iron really low
right, but why? There has to be an underlying issue as to why your iron is low.
|
| Posted 3/26/08 10:29 AM |
| |
|
MeeshkaMich
LL=Yum
Member since 2/06 5616 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by Blu-ize
Posted by MeeshkaMich
Posted by Blu-ize
what's causing the anemia?
low iron really low
right, but why? There has to be an underlying issue as to why your iron is low.
prob. because I don't eat enough.
Also going to the gyno later this week to rule out fibroids.
|
| Posted 3/26/08 10:56 AM |
| |
|
Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
ok, sister..lay off the pills and eat green leafies, red meat, beans and protein shakes that are high in iron..
jeez, what do you eat?
|
| Posted 3/26/08 11:16 AM |
| |
|
MeeshkaMich
LL=Yum
Member since 2/06 5616 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by Blu-ize
ok, sister..lay off the pills and eat green leafies, red meat, beans and protein shakes that are high in iron..
jeez, what do you eat?
hmm none of the above 
Haven't eaten red meat in years so I'm scred to start eating it again.
I have been eating spinach a lot more now, but then read online this morning its an inhibitor sigh.
Which protein shakes are good?
And doctor said I have to take the iron 2x daily for now
Message edited 3/26/2008 11:30:57 AM.
|
| Posted 3/26/08 11:30 AM |
| |
|
imagin916
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 1826 total posts
Name:
Valerie
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by Jennie0898
Posted by MeeshkaMich
Posted by Jennie0898
have you inquired about getting IV Iron instead?
It has fewer side affects and you may need fewer doses.
Doctor told me have to try the iron and see if it helps, it takes a couple months from what I understand before there's a difference. If it doesn't get better then my only option is blood transfusion
A blood transfusion is not your only option. Ask for Venofer. It's an intravenous iron.
Venofer
I would look into this as an option before getting a transfusion.
Umm..Unless you are in kidney failure and on dialysis no doctor is going to give you Venofer. The protien shakes sound like a much better option. It takes time to build up iron again, hang in there!
Message edited 3/26/2008 11:42:56 AM.
|
| Posted 3/26/08 11:33 AM |
| |
|
Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by MeeshkaMich
Posted by Blu-ize
ok, sister..lay off the pills and eat green leafies, red meat, beans and protein shakes that are high in iron..
jeez, what do you eat?
hmm none of the above
Haven't eaten red meat in years so I'm scred to start eating it again.
I have been eating spinach a lot more now, but then read online this morning its an inhibitor sigh.
Which protein shakes are good?
And doctor said I have to take the iron 2x daily for now
I was transfused in the hospital. I took 2 pints because my hemoglobin was 7.1..nice and low..two pints and I was at 9.0. then after, my doc continued with b12 shots.
There is hemo iron and non hemo iron. hemo iron is red meat. Non hemo, is breads, grains..etc. that are high in iron. Also taking vitamin C helps in the absorption. It's far better to get the iron from food than supps. It's also easier on your belly. I cannot take iron pills and I would opt for a transfusion any day over it. They just give you blood.
I find that doctors know next to nothing about nutrition. While I respect and adore all of my physicians, none of them could guide me right with diet.
Have you seena nutritionist?
If you can tolerate ensure or boost, they have ones fotified with iron. That could help and get you some energy back as well. It's a good short term solution.
Message edited 3/26/2008 11:48:46 AM.
|
| Posted 3/26/08 11:47 AM |
| |
|
bird382
.
Member since 7/07 1712 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by Blu-ize
Also taking vitamin C helps in the absorption.
Good point. I usually take a vitamin C supplement when I take an iron pill.
Also there are a bunch of things that can interfere with iron uptake and shouldn't be eaten along with your supplement or iron-rich foods -- like caffeine, tea (even decaf), dairy and high-fiber foods.
|
| Posted 3/26/08 12:05 PM |
| |
|
MeeshkaMich
LL=Yum
Member since 2/06 5616 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by Blu-ize
I was transfused in the hospital. I took 2 pints because my hemoglobin was 7.1..nice and low..two pints and I was at 9.0. then after, my doc continued with b12 shots.
There is hemo iron and non hemo iron. hemo iron is red meat. Non hemo, is breads, grains..etc. that are high in iron. Also taking vitamin C helps in the absorption. It's far better to get the iron from food than supps. It's also easier on your belly. I cannot take iron pills and I would opt for a transfusion any day over it. They just give you blood.
I find that doctors know next to nothing about nutrition. While I respect and adore all of my physicians, none of them could guide me right with diet.
Have you seena nutritionist?
If you can tolerate ensure or boost, they have ones fotified with iron. That could help and get you some energy back as well. It's a good short term solution.
Mine was 7.9 3 weeks ago
|
| Posted 3/26/08 12:11 PM |
| |
|
lucyloo
nope
Member since 1/06 9758 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
If your body needs iron and red meat is the source then eat it! IMO much better than pills!
|
| Posted 3/26/08 12:46 PM |
| |
|
Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
|
Re: Iron Pills Week 3
Posted by bird382
Posted by Blu-ize
Also taking vitamin C helps in the absorption.
Good point. I usually take a vitamin C supplement when I take an iron pill.
Also there are a bunch of things that can interfere with iron uptake and shouldn't be eaten along with your supplement or iron-rich foods -- like caffeine, tea (even decaf), dairy and high-fiber foods.
yes, no dairy or coffee or tea..
It will take some time. I'm at 12 now and it took 4 months to get that high and my diet stunk.
What sources of protein do you eat?
|
| Posted 3/26/08 12:47 PM |
| |
|
| Pages: [1] 2 |
