i feel like im dieing..

Thanks so much Dana! I'm definitely going to be proactive in taking my body back in control... thanks so much for your help!

I'm so sorry it took this smack to get you back to taking your vitamins. Get those vitamins AND TAKE THEM!

thanks i am!

I actually was able to boost my hemoglobin / iron levels with Total cereal.  A small amount of that offers lots of iron.  Same with Malt-O-Meal cereal squares which come in a big bag rather than a box.  I was afraid of the constipation effect of iron supplements so my physician suggested I try this.  It worked. And it can be worked into your diet plan without causing weight gain.  Just one little suggestion...  Best of luck!

thanks for the info! im up for anything!

Hey Jennifer - Just to let you know I get my B-12 from my Vet.  It is cheaper and it is the same stuff that the Drs. gives.  I give myself a shot once a week and my numbers are great!  I was really low and did not realize how important it was.  I feel better and have a lot more energy!  Since I have been doing it for a while, and not  mooing or barking yet   I can really feel a difference if I miss a week.  My Vet takes them herself.  I thought it was nutz when I heard that people got it from their vet but I called my vet and she said that she has been giving herself shots for years and has not developed a tail yet!  (althought I heard her barking at a dog once but I think she was trying to get it's attention!!!)   Hope your numbers come back up and you feel better soon! Valerie :)

I had surgery in 2002.  Last year I went in for pre-op testing on some minor outpatient surgery and was told I was severely anemic.  I had an emergency blood transfusion that raised my level only slightly then went through multiple tests  before they determined my anemia was due to malabsorption.  I had an iron transfusion about 3 months ago and I feel great.  I didn't realize how awful I felt until I started feeling better.  The transfusion was simple and only took a few hours in an outpatient facility.  It can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years and was totally worth it.  I no longer have to take iron supplements and after 5 weeks my levels were back to normal.  I had gained back some of the weight after my surgery but am now losing again, very slowly but with no effort.  I just wish I had realized what was going on sooner.  I just attributed my tiredness with my job, stress, etc.   Don't be hesitant about the infusions.  I wish they had recommended them sooner to me.  I could have saved a lot of time and money. San

I noticed many of us begin our malnutriton after the 4th year!  It's interesting to hear from people who are further out than 4 years.  You people have a lot to offer and should post more often. Glad to hear you are doing better! I'm still raising my iron levels with supps....But my doc is not very helpful and thinks that a ferritin level of 16 is wonderful after it was 5 two months before... I actually feel MUCH better at 16 than I did at 5 but I still think that 16 is far too low...I had no idea how bad I really felt until i felt better...It's so easy to brush off as nothing major...I thought it was just a bit of lazy winter cabin fever... I hear mixed results and stories about infusions..But I'm glad you are doing well! 

I had a bad scare last year when I slacked off on my vitamins too.  Same deal with the nonexistent iron, b-12, vitamin D (well that was from living in a place where the sun never comes out)..etc.  My doctor said I was suffering from malnutrition and she had no idea how I was managing to still take a full course load that semester.  I did iron infusions, but those quickly ended when I went into full blown anaphylactic shock on the second one.  Oops, I'm allergic to ferrous gluconate! Luckily, my hematologist is the most awesome doctor (aside from my RNY surgeon) that I've ever met and helped get me on a good regimen:  Iron rich foods every day, I give myself a b-12 injection once a month, and I am required (I like this part!) to sit in the sun for 10 minutes every day.  I'm doing alright now.  My levels are still low, but not rock bottom and I have much more energy.  Also, I'm losing weight again because my body doesn't think it's starving.  Hooray!  You'll be just fine--just learn from the experience.

Glad to hear you are doing better too....I never thought that I might actually do better to lose some weight once I got my vitamins straight.   It didn't dawn on me at all that could be the reason I am struggling to maintain my weight lately...Well not very recently...(I've been a little naughty with food choices) But I never had such a hard time til I slacked off on the vits and became deficient everywhere!  It's interesting to hear more about deficiencies and how they turned out...so thanks for sharing, even though I am not the original poster! My best friend calls me Neen or Neets...Is that your name or a nick name?