Re: Iron and Anemia

[Guest guest]

hi guys

there is an iron suplement called " replivs " that i took in the begining of

treatment as far as i could feel it helped me get out of bed it takes a month

before there are benefits and its digestion friendly check it out

aliza

**************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money &

Finance. (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

I did not choose Ferrous Sulphate, Dr. Talpaz put me on it. I was on Procrit,

then Aranesp, but can no longer get it in the state of Ohio. Silly, but if I

drive 170 miles to Ann Arbor, and visit Dr. Talpaz, I can get it. Medicare is

really messed up. Anyway, I am assuming if Dr. T put me on it, it is Sprycel

related. He also took me off Celebrex, which I took for arthritis, and instead

I now take Glucosamine with Boswellia, I get from Amway, and I have no pain from

arthritis at all, except on a very cold , damp day. I do know there are many

herbs you cannot take with the drugs we are on, hard to keep up with everything,

and you should always check them out with your onc. Bobby

onthewtr@... wrote: Yes that is what they put me on-procrit.I hated

it- made me feel real bad and grumpy. I remember because shortly after two bouts

of procrit we went to hawaii and I had a miserable time!! Felt real bad. Now who

feels bad in hawaii?

Sharon

WISH I WAS ON KAUAI!!!!!

[ ] Iron and Anemia

There have been some discussions on iron in a few posts (although

they were a bit buried with other subject lines) so I thought I'd

start a new post with the title.

There are several different kinds of anemia with different sources

and as a result there are different kinds of treatments for it. It's

important to find out which type of anemia you have so it can be

treated properly.

The most common types I see on the list are iron deficient anemia,

B12 deficiency and Gleevec induced anemia.

If iron deficiency is the reason for the anemia, then iron

supplements can help. You can find out if your anemia is caused by

iron deficiency by having a ferritin test. Bobby, is there any

particular reason for choosing ferrous sulfate over one of the other

types of iron supplements? I have taken ferrous gluconate in the

past which is supposed to be easier to absorb than ferrous sulfate.

Also, I've found that magnesium helps with the constipation that the

iron can cause.

A deficiency in B12 can cause another type of anemia

called " pernicious anemia " . You can have your B12 level tested to

see if this is the cause of your anemia and if it is, supplements are

often effective at fixing the problem. In the old days they used to

think that people with pernicious anemia had to have B12 injections

to fix the problem but now they know that taking high doses orally

can help. I've had pernicious anemia that was very responsive to

oral supplements.

And finally there can be Gleevec induced anemia. This is due to the

fact that the drug suppresses the myeloid cell line which includes

the red cell production. If this is the cause of the anemia, Procrit

(or other red cell boosters) are pretty much the only remedy. In

these cases of anemia B12 and iron supplements do nothing to help.

I hope that clarifies things a bit,

Tracey

,

>

> I was diagnosed in March 07 and I too switched from Gleevac

(extreme toxicity) to Sprycel in July 2007. I had the usual side

affects such as Gastro and SOB so I reduced the dose from 100 mg

daily to 50 mg daily. I have gradually increased to 80mg daily and in

October 07 reached PCRU. I have continued to have anemia and extreme

fatigue so we reduced my dose to 75mg daily. Two weeks ago I went in

to see my onc because I just felt so fatigued I really couldn't

function. He did my CBC and my counts were good except my red count

was low but actually up from my last appointment. My PCR continues to

be 00.0 undetectable. My onc requested several other blood tests to

check my B12, iron, thyroid, etc. to rule out any other issue

contributing to my extreme fatigue. He also suggested I take a

medication vacation until I came for my next appointment which would

be in two weeks to see if the Sprycel was the culprit. My next

appointment is for this Friday. I have felt so much

> better these last two weeks off the Sprycel. I didn't realize how

bad I felt until I had some of my energy back. I have actually had a

life and been able to do things again. I really don't want to stop

taking the Sprycel because my response has been so good and the side

effects are really not that bad except the extreme fatigue. I'm

hoping to lower my dose again but I'm not sure how low will still

maintain my complete response.

>

> What dose are you on now? And to others ready this post, is anyone

else taking a lower than recommended dose of Sprycel and still having

a good response? My oncologist is very hesitant to go any lower than

75 mg daily. Sprycel is still relatively new and I know they have

already adjusted the starting dose from 140mg daily to 100mg daily so

who's to say if an even lower dose might not be effective in some

people. I am hoping to find a happy balance so that I can stay on

Sprycel, have a complete response but also have a better quality of

life. Am I asking for too much?

>

> Thanks for any advice,

> Patti

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes that is what they put me on-procrit.I hated it- made me feel real bad and

grumpy. I remember because shortly after two bouts of procrit we went to hawaii

and I had a miserable time!! Felt real bad. Now who feels bad in hawaii?

Sharon

WISH I WAS ON KAUAI!!!!!

[ ] Iron and Anemia

There have been some discussions on iron in a few posts (although

they were a bit buried with other subject lines) so I thought I'd

start a new post with the title.

There are several different kinds of anemia with different sources

and as a result there are different kinds of treatments for it. It's

important to find out which type of anemia you have so it can be

treated properly.

The most common types I see on the list are iron deficient anemia,

B12 deficiency and Gleevec induced anemia.

If iron deficiency is the reason for the anemia, then iron

supplements can help. You can find out if your anemia is caused by

iron deficiency by having a ferritin test. Bobby, is there any

particular reason for choosing ferrous sulfate over one of the other

types of iron supplements? I have taken ferrous gluconate in the

past which is supposed to be easier to absorb than ferrous sulfate.

Also, I've found that magnesium helps with the constipation that the

iron can cause.

A deficiency in B12 can cause another type of anemia

called " pernicious anemia " . You can have your B12 level tested to

see if this is the cause of your anemia and if it is, supplements are

often effective at fixing the problem. In the old days they used to

think that people with pernicious anemia had to have B12 injections

to fix the problem but now they know that taking high doses orally

can help. I've had pernicious anemia that was very responsive to

oral supplements.

And finally there can be Gleevec induced anemia. This is due to the

fact that the drug suppresses the myeloid cell line which includes

the red cell production. If this is the cause of the anemia, Procrit

(or other red cell boosters) are pretty much the only remedy. In

these cases of anemia B12 and iron supplements do nothing to help.

I hope that clarifies things a bit,

Tracey

,

>

> I was diagnosed in March 07 and I too switched from Gleevac

(extreme toxicity) to Sprycel in July 2007. I had the usual side

affects such as Gastro and SOB so I reduced the dose from 100 mg

daily to 50 mg daily. I have gradually increased to 80mg daily and in

October 07 reached PCRU. I have continued to have anemia and extreme

fatigue so we reduced my dose to 75mg daily. Two weeks ago I went in

to see my onc because I just felt so fatigued I really couldn't

function. He did my CBC and my counts were good except my red count

was low but actually up from my last appointment. My PCR continues to

be 00.0 undetectable. My onc requested several other blood tests to

check my B12, iron, thyroid, etc. to rule out any other issue

contributing to my extreme fatigue. He also suggested I take a

medication vacation until I came for my next appointment which would

be in two weeks to see if the Sprycel was the culprit. My next

appointment is for this Friday. I have felt so much

> better these last two weeks off the Sprycel. I didn't realize how

bad I felt until I had some of my energy back. I have actually had a

life and been able to do things again. I really don't want to stop

taking the Sprycel because my response has been so good and the side

effects are really not that bad except the extreme fatigue. I'm

hoping to lower my dose again but I'm not sure how low will still

maintain my complete response.

>

> What dose are you on now? And to others ready this post, is anyone

else taking a lower than recommended dose of Sprycel and still having

a good response? My oncologist is very hesitant to go any lower than

75 mg daily. Sprycel is still relatively new and I know they have

already adjusted the starting dose from 140mg daily to 100mg daily so

who's to say if an even lower dose might not be effective in some

people. I am hoping to find a happy balance so that I can stay on

Sprycel, have a complete response but also have a better quality of

life. Am I asking for too much?

>

> Thanks for any advice,

> Patti

>

>

[Guest guest]

I take an iron from 'bio available food stuffs'.? It's called " blood builder "

and I get it at Whole Foods.? Here's my only scientific proof...

?

I started taking the blood builder about 2 years before dx with CML.? Once

diagnosed I stopped to get 'clean results'.? My RBC and iron, etc. was great at

the time even with high WBC.? Then Sprycel and no 'iron'? my levels dropped thru

the floor and I was anemic (b 12 ) and otherwise.? I started back on my

sublingual B12 and the 'blood builder iron' and within two weeks I was back on

track with RBC, H & H etc.? After 3 weeks back on the supplements I have great

blood levels all within the normal range.? Pretty good for a person who was

anemic even before dx.

?

Just an FYI.

?

Re: [ ] Iron and Anemia

hi guys

there is an iron suplement called " replivs " that i took in the begining of

treatment as far as i could feel it helped me get out of bed it takes a month

before there are benefits and its digestion friendly check it out

aliza

**************It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AOL Money &

Finance. (http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolprf00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

I find plain ferrous sulfate, in time release form, works wonders. I picked

up a cheap box at CVS when I first got pregnant and I found it far more

effective than any of the other forms I've taken. I didn't need that much

through pregnancy, only took maybe 5 tabs total over the 9 months, but it

worked infinitely better than my prenatal for anemia symptoms despite having

the same amount of iron.

Iron absorption is acid dependent. So if you've got low stomach acid, you

need to fix it before you're going to absorb a decent amount of iron. One

thing that helps is salting your iron foods well, another is eating iron

foods with food high in Vitamin C.

-Lana

" There is nothing more useful than sun and salt. " - Latin proverb

On Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 4:56 PM, Idol <paul.idol@...> wrote:

> So as one of the lesser consequences of my recent encounter with

> multiple life-threatening insect-borne diseases, I've apparently

> developed anemia. Or so the blood tests and doctors tell me, and

> certainly I'm more tired than I used to be. Besides the obvious,

> namely eating as much rare or raw red meat and shellfish as I can

> afford (which is very little at present thanks to the economic

> consequences of contracting said insect-borne diseases) are there any

> obvious measures to take and/or good (and yet inexpensive) supplements

> to try?

>

> TIA,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Before you do, check out " Survival of the Sickest " - a book I forgot

the author. He says that low iron keeps diseases in check because

some need the iron to multiply. In Africa they gave iron to anemic

sick people and many of them died shortly therafter due to the

disease suddenly " blossoming " . So it may be a symptom rather than

the issue.

If you want to go natural, Harrod Buhner has a protocol for

lyme based on symptoms using herbs and nutrients that many say works

very well. Teasel Root extract is supposed to work well also. And

you can check out the lymestrategies group which is where I found my

cure. You can look up Sue Massie there (search old messages) - she's

a nutritional consultant and often gives free consultations on the

phone. She likes the very expensive supplements because she believes

in quality (I often choose the cheaper options and do just fine) but

she's saved some very sick people that the MD's couldn't help and

knows more than just about anybody I've met or heard of.

My favorite iron supplement is blackstrap molasses. But still, I'd

say go carefully on that. You don't want to fight what your body is

trying to do.

You may want to look into selenium, too. Some studies say it keeps

the lyme from being able to reproduce or something like that.

If you have co-infections, what I've heard is that artemisinin is

very very good on babesia. I think I had that - had some symptoms

like thick, clumpy blood and getting dizzy for no reason. That's

because babesia is so similar to malaria, and artemisinin is the drug

of choice for that these days because it doesn't seem to be able to

develop any tolerance to it. Although you could also sip quinine

beverages if you prefer.

Bartonella and mycoplasma seem to respond to the same things lyme

does, so Buhner's or the Lymestrategies protocols would help with

that as well.

As for me, I've recovered full feeling in my skin (was partially numb

over most of my torso and parts of my face), and realized today my

memory is back to being as good as when I was in college - can recall

numbers again! All my other symptoms are gone as well, but I'm

especially pleased at the neuro stuff that healed because some claim

you cannot recover from that type of damage.

--- In , Idol <paul.idol@...>

wrote:

>

> So as one of the lesser consequences of my recent encounter with

> multiple life-threatening insect-borne diseases, I've apparently

> developed anemia. Or so the blood tests and doctors tell me, and

> certainly I'm more tired than I used to be. Besides the obvious,

> namely eating as much rare or raw red meat and shellfish as I can

> afford (which is very little at present thanks to the economic

> consequences of contracting said insect-borne diseases) are there

any

> obvious measures to take and/or good (and yet inexpensive)

supplements

> to try?

>

> TIA,

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I have severe iron deficiency anemia discovered in March. I had an

initial ferritin level of 3 ( a measure of iron stores in the body)

even though my hematocrit and hemoglobin values were normal. After 8

weeks of fe supplementation of 25 mg a day it rose to 4. So my doc has

raised my dose up to 75mg twice a day. I am going in for repeat lab

work soon so we will see if there is any more rise. My doc has opted

for conservative treatment.

I was happy to find out there really is a easily, fixable reason

(supplementing with iron )for this bone weary fatigue I have been

having for the last several years. It just takes a while to rebuild

iron stores. I am so impatient with how long it takes I am ready to go

in and get iron infusions rather than continue with taking oral

supplements but I am cautions about putting something directly in my

veins. I do have good health insurance and a compassionate doc.

In the meantime, I started using a supplement that has really helped

my energy levels. Rather than go into the science of it I will direct

you to the website so you can read from the source. Its a bit

controversial and I really don't want to get into a fight or argument

about it on any list so I won't respond to anyone who wants to debate

or argue. It works for me and that's the important thing. I have been

a critical care nurse for over 20 years so I am not a babe in the

woods about the body.

http://miraclemineral.org/

I have only been taking it for a week but it has really elevated my

energy levels to what I felt like ten years ago. I don't fall asleep

in meetings or head for bed to take a nap as soon as I get home. What

I like almost as much is it is $30 for a year's supply.

I get acupuncture regularly from an old school traditional chinese

medicine doctor from china. He has his PhD in chinese medicine, was a

professor of TCM at the university in China, and is an expert and

written university level textbooks in herbology. He has been telling

me for the last several years I have a blood deficiency which is the

closest thing to the western diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia. (I

didn't know that at the time they were related and his english is

better than my chinese which is not saying much.) He has been treating

me for that and it helped my energy levels but I was still wanting to

sleep all the time. It was taking too long and I was frustrated by

this. Fortunately, I began a new job and was able to go have blood

work done and the anemia is what they found.

I always take my iron pills with Vitamin C. I take 3 to 4 Grams (not

milligrams.) That's what my bowel tolerance level is for vitamin c. So

I take the C for preventative maintenance as well as the synergistic

affect it gives for iron absorption. I also have to eat a serving or

two of fruit a day or the iron becomes very constipating.

Hope that helps and good luck,

>

> So as one of the lesser consequences of my recent encounter with

> multiple life-threatening insect-borne diseases, I've apparently

> developed anemia. Or so the blood tests and doctors tell me, and

> certainly I'm more tired than I used to be. Besides the obvious,

> namely eating as much rare or raw red meat and shellfish as I can

> afford (which is very little at present thanks to the economic

> consequences of contracting said insect-borne diseases) are there any

> obvious measures to take and/or good (and yet inexpensive) supplements

> to try?

>

> TIA,

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Anne-

> Yeah; taking vitamin C enhances the absorption of Iron; Vit. C in

> fruti

>

> Iron found in all greens such as spinahc; beet greens; mustard

> greesn---

Unfortunately, my gastric tolerance of vitamin C is not particularly

high. Nor of fibrous greens, not to mention all the antinutrients

they contain...

For that matter, my gastric tolerance of so-called " gut friendly " iron

bisglycinate proved to be less than ideal too.

-

[Guest guest]

,

My gut reacted pretty badly to iron bisglycinate too...

And I was thinking, it can't be the time release that's preventing the issue

because I'm fine with the iron in my prenatal... that is a non-time-release

iron picolinate.

-Lana

" There is nothing more useful than sun and salt. " - Latin proverb

>

> For that matter, my gastric tolerance of so-called " gut friendly " iron

> bisglycinate proved to be less than ideal too.

>

> -

>

[Guest guest]

,

> So as one of the lesser consequences of my recent encounter with

> multiple life-threatening insect-borne diseases, I've apparently

> developed anemia.

Well that's pretty vague. What type of " anemia " is this and what were

the blood test results that were used as the basis for this diagnosis?

Chris

[Guest guest]

Chris-

> Well that's pretty vague. What type of " anemia " is this and what were

> the blood test results that were used as the basis for this diagnosis?

Dunno and dunno. I was quite sick, and therefore not my normal

inquisitive self, when I was told, and then my treatment was abruptly

terminated for financial reasons a little while later.

-