VERY Anemic!?!?!?

Good Evening everyone,
Well I haven't been on here for over a year now & my concerns have me back to the only place I know I can rely on. So I haven't really been up on my vitamins and now I"m paying the price. I'm now  3 1/2yrs out & my Anemia has gotten drastically worse. The Doc said she was surprised I wasn't fainting on the regular basis. But just these past 2 days I seem to have to hold myself when I stand or bend up because I get so lightheaded. Even though I was taking 2 regualr irons/day I can't seem to absorb, but really constipate =( She did suggest the Bariatric Advantage but I simply can't afford them. Any suggestions???
Much help needed!

Were you taking ferrous sulfate? If you were, there's the reason for your constipation. Horrible stuff! Buy ferrous gluconate, fumerate or anything thats chelated. (bound to a protein) There are photo's on my profile of my favorite brands. Now, go buy some vitamins!!!
Hope this helps!!

B12 level? how's that? that is part of anemia. What is the doctor going to do? refer you? infuse you? my youngest daughter just was infused again. Some have to have it that way. You need to be more pro-active with you labs and needs. 3 years is the time to mark that you have to fight to keep healthy.

Good luck.

Hi Nancy,

I've dealt with anemia my entire life.  It's not fun, I will tell you that.  But I was able to stay at least in a low normal range until WLS.  First off I am missing whatever it is that makes the iron bind to the blood but now after WLS I don't absorb iron one little bit.  It doesn't matter how many iron pills I take, it doesn't do anything.

Symptoms of Anemia can encompass a whole range of things.  Most common, fatigue, muscle cramps in the legs, very dry skin and hair, very pale coloring, sleep disruption, dizziness and as went on with me, compulsion to chew ice.

I now must get iron infusions.  Just had my 4th one since June last week.  They make a world of difference.  I went from an iron count of 6.2 last March to 13.2 before my infusion last week.  I see the hemotologist next month and hopefully my count will be up to about 15.  That is what we were shooting for and hoping it will hold me for awhile. Most people can go a couple of years on one infusion.  We are hoping I get 12 months, but it may not hold that long for me.  Addditionally we had to spread my infusions out because I needed so much and they couldn't give it all to me at once.

You need to get a full CBC blood work up done and if you do truly have anemia and the iron supplements are not working, you will probably have to push for the infusion.  They are expensive so insurance companies aren't eager to pay for them.  Your iron count should be around 12 - 14.  Anything lower needs addressing.  Not necessarily infusion but definately attention.  You have to be proactive with your doctors about this though.  You need to find a doctor who does not dismiss anemia.  Alot of them do.

Feel better,
Stephanie

Thanks so much for all the input. Yes my Iron was at a 3!! I have to be healthy for my 2 children so I am on this to get it taken care of. The leg cramps are the WORSE =( Well thanks again for all the good info!

 Hello,
I hate to say this, but the likely hood of any oral iron supplement correcting an iron level or 3 is very very unlikely. If you were  my patient I would recommend Iron (venofer)  transfusion. Please see your surgeon.
Hope this help.
Ara

Wow, you were at a 3 for iron level? I am at an 11 and started feeling the effects. I am tired often and I can get dizzy if I forget to take iron. Before you start treatment, it might be good for you to immediately start taking a B-12 sub-lingual daily and double dosing on the iron supplements. I did that and felt an immediate improvement.  My doctor also recommended a cup of broth daily saying it would make me feel better. I don't know why medically that is supposed to help, but I took the advice. 

Also remember to not take your iron the same time you take your calcium.  You need to wait at least two hours in between or the iron won't be absorbed.  This is also true if you're eating something with a lot of calcium.

Good luck!

MsBlues

Try going to www.vitalady.com she has a vitamin supplement called Tendor Iron that I have heard works wonders for WLS patients.