Xpost Let the Infusions Begin

It's that time again, can't keep my darn iron up and I admit I'm not as diligent as I should be taking the iron.

My PCP keeps watching my numbers but isn't real proactive until I'm tanked. I called several hematologist this morning to find out if any of them did the infusions in their office so my insurance will pay without me having to pay that high deductible (office visit is $30) and I found ONE. Asked to schedule an appt and they had one today with a cancellation so I took it.

The hematologist is very nice and although my numbers are "in lab range" he can see it dropping steadily from the 3 years (6 draws) that I bought to him whi*****ludes 4 draws in the past year. He said I'm mild to moderately anemic and he has no problem getting the insurance to pay NOW.  Love a doctor that listens and doesn't wait.

So next Thursday I'll have an infusion one weekly for 3 weeks then he'll check my iron labs again to see if he needs to add two more infusions. He also ran some on labs to include a female hormone panel since I haven't had one done since my hysterectomy. It's going to be the 1-2 infusion instead of the IV venafor push I had last year, I don't remember what iron it is I'll have to ask again. He did tell me I'm his sixth gastric bypass patient dealing with anemia.

Is it sad that I can hardly wait to start the infusions, I'm so darn tired, my hair is falling out, skin super drive, lack of appetite, restless legs and daily cramps in my feet.

It still puzzles me how I become anemic now when I never had problems prior to WLS, while pregnant and before my hysterectomy.

I think bleeding ulcers.  I am in menapouse now and no period, My iron and ferritin was fine in January 2012. At 90 ferritin - I though I would be set for at least couple of years.  But when I checked in June - my number dropped to 20... and I started having the typical low iron symptoms. 
The only thing I can think of is that sometimes in February 2012 my pouch was hurting and I could not eat too much. Like it was swollen. I would eat 2-3 bites and had to stop. I either become uncomfortably full or in pain, or both.  Also the burning - stabbing pain that radiated to my back was a tale-tale sign of an ulcer.  I took it easy, took double dosage of omeprozole, carafate, and followed a proper diet.  1 month later - most my symptoms went away and I continue somewhat modified diet and extra pills for another month. 
Maybe during that time I had bleeding ulcer? or ulcers? in my pouch or even in remnant stomach?

Who knows.  I have to admit that until this spring I would drink some alcohol, and I did take a few Advils (maybe 1-2 a month), when some pain was too hard to deal with and Tylenol did not help.

i already gave up the alcohol (due to the RH, but not sure if that was an issue), and I plan not to take any NSAIDs ....and plan to take my antacid every day.

Other than that - there is no reason why my ferritin would stay stable for 5 months (dropped from 93 to 90) and then following 5 months it had 70 points drop. 

BTW make sure they check your copper. 

I don't think I have ulcers or pain that I'd contribute to an ulcer.  I do get bloated very easily and eating has been difficult (I mentioned this to the doc).  I'm not eating enough right now or getting in enough protein, I know this and have started with shakes to help get my protein levels up.  Now if I eat yogurt or cottage cheese, sliders and those dang carbs (chex mix) I can eat a reasontable amount.  Give me meat and veggies and 3-4 bites is all I can get down. 

I think the added stress I've had lately is contributing to the eating issue.  I have had periods of pain that were thought to be ulcers and my PCP gave me a Rx for carafate and protonix, no scope was done to determine a definite.

Your drop in numbers almost mirror mine. 

Ferritin
Before Infusion  (6/1/11)  8
After Infusion (6/23/11) 249.2
8/30/11 93
6/28/12 21

Look how quickly it dropped in 2 months from after infusion to 8/30.  He did say he fully expected to see it lower with the labs he ran today from 6/29.

It sucks for me. This year they change the system the clinic had and no longer copay - but now i have to pay deductible + 20% after that.  I could not get a straight answer how much the bill can be... 2000 or 10,000 ... But most I should pay is 3K.  But I can't afford that every year.  So not sure what I would do next year .... it sucks. When my freaking iron went?  no surgery no bleeding? and 70 pts loss?  way  too much .... that's why bleeding ulcer came to mind. 

I did not have scope either (more money for them and same treatment) and if the ulcer is in remnant stomach - the EGD will not show that.
But it is funny how 4 years post op I have to still relay on shakes and slider foods to get enough.
Keep me posted what hey will give you and how you are doing.