Re: Iron Deficiency Anemia

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In a message dated 5/4/00 11:22:18 PM Central Daylight Time, dcp6364@...

writes:

<< Did you notice this before you went on TPN or did you get anemic while on

the

TPN? I have gone to 10.3. So far no one is in a panic. If it gets down

to 9 in think some investigating needs to be done. I haven't had a 10 Hgb

since I had my hysterectomy over 10 years ago. I do get a multivitamin in my

TPN nightly, you think this would help. Anyway, I too have been feeling very

exhausted and worn out. I tried to do a few chores around the house today

and kept having to stop because I kept getting tired. Marie >>

Hi Marie,

My Hgb is 9, my Iron is 30. When I had the spleenectomy with the distal

pancreatectomy, the surgeon told me that I would probably have chronic

anemia. However, my lab values kept dropping and didn't hit a plateau. So

here I am having an Iron Infusion. It will be done over 6 hours. I have not

been receiving any iron in my TPN. The multivitamins do not have any iron in

it. You might try to read the itty bitty tiny print on the MVI box. The

research I have done on Iron deficiency anemia is a bit scary. I am not going

to get too nuts about it, and just know that I just haven't received any iron

since I was started on TPN. We'll start there any way. I do know that I

should feel so much better. I have to.

Karyn

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In a message dated 5/5/00 12:33:53 AM Central Daylight Time, smraef@...

writes:

<< I've had problems with iron deficiency anemia as well and yes you do feel

exhausted all the time and if yours is as severe as it sounds then you

probably do feel powerless. When your iron count increases you will have

much more energy>>

Hi Sandy, all,

Do you know why you had / have iron deficiency anemia? Did you have to have

an iron infusion? I hate needles so I hope they can use my PICC line. In

another post, you mentioned getting a wheelchair. I don't think my pride

would let me do that! LOL. I am seriously considering getting a walker, that

has a chair attached to it, so I can sit down every so often to rest and

catch my breath. (maybe)

Really I am just hoping that this too shall pass. They mentioned I would have

to do this every 3 months!!! It seems like they should put iron in my TPN.

For right now the doctor said I need to catch up, I am no where near

maintenance.

Karyn

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In a message dated 05/08/2000 9:35:42 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

KarynWms@... writes:

<< It seems like they should put iron in my TPN.

For right now the doctor said I need to catch up, I am no where near

maintenance.

Karyn-

Some people do get iron in their TPN. It can't be mixed with lipids though.

So on the night with the iron they have a bag of TPN with no lipids. Ask your

doc if this is possible. The one thing you have to be careful about with IV

iron is the possibility of an allergic reaction. People have become

anaphylactic to IV iron and the first few times you should have a nurse

present or be in the doctor's office. The risk of reaction is greatest the

first few times of infusion, but I have been told that you can get a reaction

even a year later.

-Malisa

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In a message dated 05/08/2000 11:37:11 AM Central Daylight Time,

KarynWms@... writes:

<< Really I am just hoping that this too shall pass. They mentioned I would

have

to do this every 3 months!!! It seems like they should put iron in my TPN.

For right now the doctor said I need to catch up, I am no where near

maintenance.

Karyn >>

Karyn, all,

My iron deficiency anemia was originally thought to be due to the menstrual

problems that I had until my hysterectomy. I had to have two transfusions

when I had my hysterectomy but not since then, as the hysterectomy did

improve my anemia greatly for a number years. When I started having the

problems with my pancreatitis (pre-diagnosis) I again started having problems

with the iron deficiency anemia and the doctors could not determine why I was

again anemic since they could not locate any blood loss anywhere. After a

referral to a hematologist and many more tests it was narrowed down to

Chronic Disease anemia. Well, naturally they could not diagnose the chronic

disease even though I was sick as a dog. After I was finally diagnosed with

the pancreatitis I was again referred to a different hematologist who did a

bone marrow test and it was determined that I had a genetic disorder called

thalacemia. The thalacemia is what causes my iron deficiency anemia. I know

it is real complicated. However, with you having such problems you may want

to see if the chronic disease anemia fits your situation. I don't know yet

where the thalacemia will take me, but it is one more of those things that

are being closely monitored by my doctor.

Karyn, I had mentioned the wheelchair as a means to an end. If the

depression is really becoming a major hurdle then you have to do something to

combat it and not let it begin to rule you. The wheelchair may only be a

temporary necessity until you are feeling better. A walker could be a good

thing to have as well. Those of us that have problems with depression have

to work harder. There are many ways to deal with and manage the depression

in order for us to have more energy and control over our lives. Remember,

the depression also zaps your energy level and often keeps us from even

having the initiative to move at times. I say set your pride aside and get

to feeling better where you can then park the wheels and improve the quality

of your life. Sometimes we must take real little baby steps before we can

take the big ones. There are times I just have to force myself to get up and

get out, but once I have done it I do feel so much better, but at the time

I'm in a state of despair I have to really work hard at just getting out of

bed and getting dressed.

I'm not sure if this helps any, but you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sandy