health issues (pseudo rant)

[Deleted]

I have been very tired for the past several weeks and I've had some "women's issues", so I went to the ob/gyn. They ran some tests and took some blood. I'm not pregnant (THANK THE LAWD JESUS!), but they told me that I have pretty low hemoglobin levels and I am anemic. So I found a hematologist and he confirmed that. He put me on some super high iron supplement which made me dizzy, hot, and nearly vomit the first day. I think I'm fine with them now.

The ob/gyn also had me come back for some ultrasounds last week. After the first two, they saw "something" and had me come back the next morning for a third. The third confirmed that I have 2 polyps in my uterus. so now I have to go to the hospital and get a curettage procedure done in December.

I'm only 30... WTF?

[Deleted]

Sorry to hear about you issues, but it's good that they're not life-threatening (or life-changing!  ).

I developed a polyp before I became pregnant with DD. It was nowhere near her so the doc just left it alone. He was doing his "post delivery sweep" and basically pulled it off (   ) and sent it to pathology along with the placenta. I have never had another one develop. 


And there's your TMI story for the day! 

[milee]

I'm so sorry you're going through this.

The only helpful advice I'd have is that when you take your iron - or better, yet eat whole foods that are high in iron - make sure you also have some Vitamin C and some sort of oil with it.  Both the Vitamin C and oil greatly increase your absorption of iron.  Example - add some tomato/lemon juice and olive oil to a roast beef sandwich.  You'll absorb many times the iron from the beef as you would without the C and oil.

[Deleted]

My wife got really constipated when she had to take iron pills.   get some stool softener as well.

[justme]

If you take calcium supplements don't take them at the same time as the iron. My mom had iron issues so her Dr told her to start taking iron while on her period - something to think about if they don't give you a direct cause of your anemia.

Glad your iron levels weren't so bad that they could be corrected with pills! Iron IVs are a bitch.

[Labcat]

Do they know what is causing the anemia? Being 'anemic' can be much more complicated than needing to take some iron pills.  In my hematology class I think we went over at least 40 different types.  Anemia is also not just low iron...it can be a defect in your body's ability to make hemoglobin chains so taking mega doses of iron would be a bad idea in that case.  I'm going to stop now before I completely geek out.

[Deleted]

Beer, yes I'm also glad that these aren't life-threatening, but this (and other personal developments) has put me firmly in the One And Done Camp until further notice.


Milee - good to know about the Vitamin C and oil, although I have alpha-thalssemia (sp?) trait (which means that a good portion of my red blood cells will be crappy/small regardless of my iron intake). It can't hurt though!

[Deleted]

Arch - not a problem here.

Labcat - I will go back to the hematologist next month so he can see how I'm doing with the iron supplements. He will take my levels again and hopefully that will provide some insight into what the issue really is.

[973beachbum]

I hope you start feeling better soon!

I also second Archie's take a stool softener colace comment!

[Deleted]

Sorry to hear this is happening. Good thoughts for a speedy recovery!

[Peace Of Mind]

Even (hopefully!) minor stuff like this can be scary.  I had bleeding problems about 10 years ago and they did a DNC.  They found a polyp and it was benign.  Warmest thoughts for you that you get good news and your problem gets resolved soon.

I also was going to suggest you take your iron after you eat a big meal.  I can't take them even with food.  They make me nauseous and gave me stomach cramps.  I can only take chewable Flintstone vitamins.    They have them with iron if you still have problems with the stronger ones.  Also eat lean steaks, spinach, watermelon... high iron foods.  That's way better than a pill!

Psst.  If they have to go in get your tubes tied while you're at it if you are sure you don't want #2 kid! 

[Deleted]

Also do all of you cooking with cast iron pans.  That is supposed to put trace amounts of iron into your food.

[greeniis10]

Sorry to hear about your issues - hope they are cleared up soon!

I've been anemic for years (don't know why; never really pursued it).  Iron supplements are WAY too harsh for me so I try to get as much iron as I can via food.  I'm a vegetarian, though, so I make a homemade tomato-based vegetable juice and that seems to help.

I'll be interested to hear what your hematologist says next time you see them and any further info labcat can provide.  I didn't know there were so many reasons for becoming anemic.

[greeniis10]

Ah, good advice from Peace of Mind, both about the chewable vitamins and getting your tubes tied (if you'd like)!

[Opti]

Bummer about the polyps.

I was anemic when I was younger and later in life had to go to more iron rich
foods in order to donate blood. Adding greens and beans to my diet regularly
made the difference for me. I like Kale and Collards. A decent dish for dinner
is combining pasta with greens and beans of your choice with olive oil, garlic.

[Labcat]

Ah, alpha-thalassemia actually tells me quite a bit more.  I can give you a bit more information but I will add the disclaimer that I'm still a student so please consult your hematologist for more information.

Alpha thalassemia is a genetic mutation leading to decreased or no production of alpha globin chains.  These chains make up hemoglobin, along with beta and gamma chains, and this is what binds and transports oxygen throughout your body.  Without sufficient alpha chains to pair with the beta and gamma you'll get excess free chains which cause problems.  Excess gamma chains form hemoglobin Bart's which bind oxygen very well and don't release it to tissues like it should.  It is especially bad for pregnant women since it deprives the fetus of oxygen and can often cause death to the fetus.  Excess beta chains do not form stable hemoglobin and cause hemolysis (breaking apart of red blood cells).  They also bind tight to oxygen and won't release properly to the tissues.

The less scientific version is that due to a genetic defect your red blood cells are either being destroyed early or cannot properly carry and deliver oxygen to your tissues. The lack of oxygen is making you tired faster and if something else (like women issues) is compounding it then you're just going to feel like crap.

[Deleted]

The less scientific version is that due to a genetic defect your red blood cells are either being destroyed early or cannot properly carry and deliver oxygen to your tissues. The lack of oxygen is making you tired faster and if something else (like women issues) is compounding it then you're just going to feel like crap.

that's essentially what the hematologist told me. It's making it harder for me to maintain a healthy level of fitness. I want to work out more, but I just flat out don't have the energy. On weeknights I've been crashing at like 8:30-9 and still waking up tired.

[Deleted]

I had s polyp when I was pregnant, at the very beginning it burst and i thought I had a miscarriage. My doctor didn't seem to be too concerned with the polyp.

[michelyn8]

Oct 7, 2013 10:22:55 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

My wife got really constipated when she had to take iron pills.   get some stool softener as well.

My solution to this was to take my supplments at night right before bedtime when I had to take them.  I also took Ester C tablets for my Vitamin C.  I didn't have any issues with stomach upset or constipation.  I had read somewhere that this gave your body more time to absorb the vitamins but I don't know how true that is - just seemed to work for me.