Guest guest Posted August 18, 2002 Report Share Posted August 18, 2002 Thank you so much, , for the informative websites. My hemoglobin is 12.7, which isn't too low. One interesting thing I read on the anemia.com website said that patients with RA who were treated with erythropoietin therapy had less pain and inflammation. I wonder why that is? Anyway, thanks again, and I hope you're having a great Sunday. Love and hugs, Carol [ ] Anemia " A mild anemia with hematocrit values in the range of 30 - 34% occurs in approximately 25 to 35% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In most cases, the reduced red cell mass is caused by the anemia of chronic disease, a normocytic-normochromic process characterized by a low concentration of serum iron, a low serum iron-binding capacity, and a normal or increased serum ferritin concentration. However, occasionally true iron deficiency anemia can develop secondary to intercurrent blood loss often from gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding due to NSAIDS. The inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis inhibits erythropoiesis, making it difficult to differentiate anemia secondary to chronic blood loss, from the anemia of chronic disease, without an iron stain of the bone marrow. Patients should be monitored closely for symptoms of GI bleeding and consideration must also be given to other causes of GI blood loss such as colonic lesions. " Source: http://www.hopkins-arthritis.som.jhmi.edu/rheumatoid/rheum_clin_pres.html The Anemia Lifeline: http://www.anemia.com/index.html DrDoc Online: http://www.arthritis.co.za/raanemia.html " Normocytic Anemia " from the American Academy of Family Physicians: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001115/2255.html " Anemia and Rheumatoid Arthritis " : http://www.anemia.org/pdf/mon_Anemia_and_RA.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2002 Report Share Posted August 20, 2002 Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidneys (90%) and liver (10%) in response to anemia or low blood oxygen levels. Erythropoietin selectivity stimulates early red blood cell (erythroid) in the bone marrow to increase bone marrow activity. This, in turn, will help deliver more oxygen to the tissues and resolve some of the symptoms of weakness and fatigue. http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/anemia.html > Thank you so much, , for the informative websites. My hemoglobin is > 12.7, which isn't too low. One interesting thing I read on the anemia.com > website said that patients with RA who were treated with erythropoietin > therapy had less pain and inflammation. I wonder why that is? > > Anyway, thanks again, and I hope you're having a great Sunday. > > Love and hugs, > Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 26, 2003 Report Share Posted November 26, 2003 Tess, what supplements are you taking? When I was anemic, I took prescription iron, and that really helped me. It did increase my appetite, though. I was taking it while having radiation following breast cancer, and I think it helped me get through that with few side effects. Instead of losing my appetite and losing weight from the radiation, I gained 8-9 pounds. Has your doctor mentioned prescription strength iron? Sue On Wednesday, November 26, 2003, at 05:26 PM, tess_northwest@... wrote: > Hi All...some of my lab work came in, and I'm still anemic. If it > doesn't perk up by next month, my pcp will have me see a hematologist. > She's thinking " Anemia of Chronic Illness " or something close to that > name. I really don't know how to improve it, other than the supplement > I'm taking, but they don't see to have a huge impact. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2003 Report Share Posted November 27, 2003 Hi Tess, Many people with chronic illness have an anemia which can be extremely difficult to impossible to get back into normal ranges. For some people various types of supplements or iron will restore blood counts to normal levels but for others no matter what you do won't help. Unfortunately, anemia is one of the things that can go along with chronic illnesses like we have (RA and others). My blood counts had gotten so low that I had to have transfusions and also gave me Procrit treatments. I've also had to have Nupogen treatments to stimulate my bone marrow to produce more white blood cells. I'm currently on weekly Procrit injections and that has helped a lot. The hematologist said nothing will restore my blood count to the point I'm not anemic, but the Procrit hopefully will at least get me back (and keep me) at a point where I'm not exhausted all of the time and am feeling better and stronger. Although the dx isn't always great, at least there is help to keep you close to normal. Hopefully, you will be one of the lucky ones that can be brought back up into the " normal " range. BTW, since (as I recall) you seem to have been anemic for quite some time, I do highly recommend you see a hematologist. They (at least mine does) look at our blood with a different perspective, run different types of tests, and are more aggressive with a greater variety of treatments. I have a fantastic hematologist and I wouldn't give him up for anything. Good luck. Elaine from Vegas > Hi All...some of my lab work came in, and I'm still anemic. If it > doesn't perk up by next month, my pcp will have me see a hematologist. > She's thinking " Anemia of Chronic Illness " or something close to that > name. I really don't know how to improve it, other than the supplement > I'm taking, but they don't see to have a huge impact. Any ideas? > > Love & Hugs... > > Tess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 1, 2003 Report Share Posted December 1, 2003 Thanks for the wonderful Christmas List. You did a great job. Love, Colletti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 When my bloodwork showed that I was anemic, it turned out that I had a bleeding ulcer from OTC Aleve. You might want to get checked for that. Sue On Tuesday, March 7, 2006, at 12:19 PM, Simply Chai wrote: > Blessings to all: > Doctor checked my bloodwork in Feb. and says that > I'm a little anemic. Is this from the meds or the > arthritis itself? > Any suggestions for treatment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 Hi : I believe that RA itself can cause the anemia, and I am sure that the medications we take could also take some blame. I would suggest a good daily vitamin with extra iron, and eating foods like, I believe, dark leafy green vegs, which are more iron rich. Kathe in CA --- Simply Chai <mariapremont@...> wrote: > Blessings to all: > Doctor checked my bloodwork in Feb. and says that > I'm a little anemic. Is this from the meds or the > arthritis itself? > Any suggestions for treatment? > Thanks, > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 , Anemia has many causes. RA itself is one of them. Often, RA can lead to what is called " anemia of chronic disease. " Treatment of anemia depends on the cause of it. In anemia of chronic disease due to RA, proper treatment of the disease may improve the anemia. Not an MD I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Anemia > Blessings to all: > Doctor checked my bloodwork in Feb. and says that > I'm a little anemic. Is this from the meds or the > arthritis itself? > Any suggestions for treatment? > Thanks, > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 7, 2006 Report Share Posted March 7, 2006 in WI here. It is a small wonder that you are anemic after all you have been thru in the last few months. RA itself can cause anemia, and when you have been very ill, or under a lot of stress it tends to get worse.I have had this problem for years before I was ever dx with RA. Eat a healthy diet, and their are iron pills you can by over the counter, but ask you doctor about them first. <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote: , Anemia has many causes. RA itself is one of them. Often, RA can lead to what is called " anemia of chronic disease. " Treatment of anemia depends on the cause of it. In anemia of chronic disease due to RA, proper treatment of the disease may improve the anemia. Not an MD I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Anemia > Blessings to all: > Doctor checked my bloodwork in Feb. and says that > I'm a little anemic. Is this from the meds or the > arthritis itself? > Any suggestions for treatment? > Thanks, > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 Joy, Are you Iron Anemic or B12? They are two different anemias. But you can have both at the same time. I was able to get my B12 up with sublingual B12. There are some studies that show it works just as well as the shot. My ferritin (Iron Anemia) has been a slow climb for my ferritin levels to come up from 9 to 52. That anemia is treated with OTC iron pills and don't give blood. Kate At 01:33 PM 8/15/2007, you wrote: >I have been diagnosed anemic. Feeling very tired. Anyway my GP gave me a >Vit B12 shot. >Do any of you take them? If so how often do you get them? Do they help? > Joy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 What if iron pills make you sick to your stomach? I think it is iron not B12. I don't think they tested my level of b12. They took a CBC. Does that count b12 levels? Joy Kate Guynn <kguynn@...> wrote: Joy, Are you Iron Anemic or B12? They are two different anemias. But you can have both at the same time. I was able to get my B12 up with sublingual B12. There are some studies that show it works just as well as the shot. My ferritin (Iron Anemia) has been a slow climb for my ferritin levels to come up from 9 to 52. That anemia is treated with OTC iron pills and don't give blood. Kate At 01:33 PM 8/15/2007, you wrote: >I have been diagnosed anemic. Feeling very tired. Anyway my GP gave me a >Vit B12 shot. >Do any of you take them? If so how often do you get them? Do they help? > Joy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 You need to talk to your doctor about which anemia you are dealing with. A CBC doesn't have a B12, it's separate. There are genital irons out there. Take them with a meal, vitamin C helps to absorb. Red meat is high in iron. Kate G At 09:13 PM 8/15/2007, you wrote: >What if iron pills make you sick to your stomach? I think it is iron > not B12. I don't think they tested my level of b12. They took a CBC. > Does that count b12 levels? > Joy > >Kate Guynn <kguynn@...> wrote: > Joy, > >Are you Iron Anemic or B12? They are two different anemias. But you can >have both at the same time. I was able to get my B12 up with sublingual >B12. There are some studies that show it works just as well as the >shot. My ferritin (Iron Anemia) has been a slow climb for my ferritin >levels to come up from 9 to 52. That anemia is treated with OTC iron pills >and don't give blood. > >Kate > >At 01:33 PM 8/15/2007, you wrote: > >I have been diagnosed anemic. Feeling very tired. Anyway my GP gave me a > >Vit B12 shot. > >Do any of you take them? If so how often do you get them? Do they help? > > Joy > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Gentle Iron is what I meant! Kate G At 10:17 PM 8/15/2007, you wrote: >You need to talk to your doctor about which anemia you are dealing with. A >CBC doesn't have a B12, it's separate. There are genital irons out >there. Take them with a meal, vitamin C helps to absorb. Red meat is high >in iron. > >Kate G > > >At 09:13 PM 8/15/2007, you wrote: > >What if iron pills make you sick to your stomach? I think it is iron > > not B12. I don't think they tested my level of b12. They took a CBC. > > Does that count b12 levels? > > Joy > > > >Kate Guynn <kguynn@...> wrote: > > Joy, > > > >Are you Iron Anemic or B12? They are two different anemias. But you can > >have both at the same time. I was able to get my B12 up with sublingual > >B12. There are some studies that show it works just as well as the > >shot. My ferritin (Iron Anemia) has been a slow climb for my ferritin > >levels to come up from 9 to 52. That anemia is treated with OTC iron pills > >and don't give blood. > > > >Kate > > > >At 01:33 PM 8/15/2007, you wrote: > > >I have been diagnosed anemic. Feeling very tired. Anyway my GP gave me a > > >Vit B12 shot. > > >Do any of you take them? If so how often do you get them? Do they help? > > > Joy > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 thanks for the correction.....talk about weird mental pictures! > > > >I have been diagnosed anemic. Feeling very tired. Anyway my GP gave me a > > > >Vit B12 shot. > > > >Do any of you take them? If so how often do you get them? Do they help? > > > > Joy > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Excellent article, Michele! There are two methods of checking your own iron level. 1. Pull the lower eye lid down. If the membranes are red or dark pink, the iron level is ok. If it is pale, the iron is low. See the doctor for some lab work. Our gums will show this also. But not as good. 2. A bluish ring around the iris, denotes iron deficiency in Iridology. I took a course in this a few years ago. It was really amazing. The lady who taught the classes, did not know me. And yet, just from reading my Irises, she told me several things that know one could have known, such as anemia, congenital dislocated left hip, hysterectomy, and more! I am presently collecting my material and I will up load it to the files. Blessings, Joy [ ] Anemia Anemia is not really a disease, but a symptom of an underlying problem. It is most common in women—because of blood loss due to menstruation. About 10 percent of North American women are iron-deficient during their childbearing years. The typical woman with anemia is pale and often finds herself weak or dizzy and falling asleep easily. She usually describes herself as feeling tired most of the time. She may be prone to headaches and digestive disturbances and may also experience heart palpitations. If this sounds like you, you should ask your doctor to check your iron level. This involves a simple blood test that takes only a few minutes. If your doctor determines that you are low in iron, it will not take long to correct the problem. But the most obvious choice for treatment—iron supplements—are never my first recommendation. These supplements do not help all the women who take them. Even when they do help, they often cause constipation and stomach distress, as well as rob your body of yellow dock root, a more easily assimilated source of iron. yellow dock brought their iron count up to normal in only a few weeks. Many physicians are not aware that an herb can be so effective, especially a humble weed that grows throughout most of the United States. Sara, who is fifteen years old, is a perfect example of how effective this herb can be. A classic case of anemia, Sara felt worn out and listless and never seemed to have enough energy. But after taking a tincture of yellow dock. Within two weeks, her iron count had resumed to nominal. In my years of working with herbs, I have met literally dozens of other women who felt so run-down and sluggish that they described themselves as having only "half a life." All of them started taking yellow dock brought up their iron levels permanently and they were able to discontinue using the herb. Others found that they needed to continue taking it to maintain their iron count at a healthy level. Even if your anemia is so stubborn that it does not respond to burdock, dandelion, cooked Chinese wild yam increase the assimilation of iron, as do carrots and most green vegetables. (Although Chinese herbs like wild yam were once restricted to the realm of Chinese medicine, they are now available in most natural food stores.) German researchers were so impressed with how linden flowers improved iron absorption that they suggested that anyone with an iron deficiency drink tea made with at least one of these herbs. iron-rich herbs include beet roots to add even more iron, and dine on this soup at least twice a week. The Chinese traditionally prescribe soups made from healing herbs like wild yam and yellow dock root ½ teaspoon each dandelion root, licorice and cooked yellow dock by itself, you will want to use a tincture since the taste is so bitter. http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/15/58.cfm Never miss a thing. Make your homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2009 Report Share Posted February 20, 2009 I have Rhematoid and Anemia but I don't understand because it is not the kind of anemia where I have a defincency of Iron it is a different kind but it makes me very tired. Does anyone know what kind it is? The doctor said I am not to the point of a transfusion yet but pretty close? Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 In a message dated 3/11/2009 4:59:23 P.M. Central Daylight Time, sposy@... writes: Yes, that would be me. But I can't take iron pills they do nothing for me. When it's time for iron, I have to have it by IV. One day a week. First IV benadryl, then IV decadron (ick) then the iron. This continues for 3 weeks. I am usually good for about a year and a half. >> So they watch your blood work until your tests reach a certain level and then you have to go in three weeks in a row for those three IVs? I had been taking a multi-vitamin without iron and I switched to one with iron. I wonder if that will make any difference. It IS borderline though. Thanks for the info. dd **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1219671244x1201345076/aol?redir=http:%2\ F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Welcome! yes, it's a process, I'm tested every 3 months. He even looks at my fingernails and toenails. Summer time is more difficult (for him) as that's when they get polished! usually if there are white spots, i'm low in iron. If your hair starts splitting that's another sign, and an increase of chewing ice cubes....but i've always done that so I could never count on that one. How are you feeling otherwise? Heidi in Mass. _ In a message dated 3/11/2009 6:40:20 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, dgd301@... writes: In a message dated 3/11/2009 4:59:23 P.M. Central Daylight Time, _ (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/barackobam409128.html) _sposy@..._ (mailto:sposy@...) _ writes: Yes, that would be me. But I can't take iron pills they do nothing for me. When it's time for iron, I have to have it by IV. One day a week. First IV benadryl, then IV decadron (ick) then the iron. This continues for 3 weeks. I am usually good for about a year and a half. >> So they watch your blood work until your tests reach a certain level and then you have to go in three weeks in a row for those three IVs? I had been taking a multi-vitamin without iron and I switched to one with iron. I wonder if that will make any difference. It IS borderline though. Thanks for the info. dd ************************<WBR>**A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See your steps! (_ (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/barackobam409128.html) _http://pr.atwola.http://pr.atwhttp://pr.atwolahttp://pr.atwolahttp://pr.http://\ prhttp ://pr.atwolahttp://pr.ahttp://pr.atwolhttp://pr.http://prhttp://p_ (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1219671244x1201345076/aol?redir=http://\ www.freec reditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072 & hmpgID) _ %3D62%26bcd%%3D62%26bcd%<WBR%3D62 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] _ (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/barackobam409128.html) **************Worried about job security? Check out the 5 safest jobs in a recession. (http://jobs.aol.com/gallery/growing-job-industries?ncid=emlcntuscare00000002) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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