Where do I begin?

[Guest guest]

Geeze, it seems like forever since I've posted.. so here's what's been going on.. I got a second opinon from a different Hematologist.. He was shocked and appalled that no one at Vanderbilt has done a bone marrow in the 5 years that I've been going there and Anemia has been an issue.. He says it is possible that I have "chronic illness anemia" but what the bone marrow showed was that I have absolutely "NO" iron in my bone marrow.. He couldnt't be definate as to why, but it was for sure why my Hct, rbc were dropping rapidly.. and the procrit wasn't working.. even at 60 units per week.. So, 3 iron tablets a day and 1 week later, I'm already thinking I feel some better.. not as short of breath, and have just a bit more pep to my step.. still not ready to leap tall building yet.. but I am feeling some better..

Problem number 2 my Right eye.. Where I had Cataract Surgery at the end of Novemeber, got a staph infection, lost my vision totally, had a vitroectomy twice.. Went to Louisville for a second opinion, where he told me it wasn't sarc, but that I had a scar tissue that was laying across my retina, due to the debrie from the former surgeries.. Well, today.. I went back to see my Retina Surgeon.. Where I fully expected her to schedule my third Vitroectomy..but to my surprise she was kind of out of the pocket sort of thing and seemed as if she was out of the loop about my case.. I hate when that happens.. because that means they've forgotten what's happened up till now.. well she thought we had already done the laser surgery, I reminded her she didn't want to do that till after all the inflamation was gone.. Well she acted today as if the scar tissue wasn't an issue and that I really didn't need the 3rd vitroectomy..and that the laser surgery would fix everything.. Soo, I got my hopes up asked her to do it today.. and low and behold.. NOTHING!!! grrr, I kept waiting for it to break up the spotches and the blurryness.. it didn't happen and I was so disappointed.. she said nothing.. except to come back in 10 days..and gave me another round of pred forte drops..

So good news, and not so good news..Thank you Rose, Tracie and Marla for your support and suggestions.. I really appreciate your help..

Hugs,

[Guest guest]

I also have anemia. My hemotologist told me that taking iron pills was useless. She said I needed IV iron. I had been taking Niferex 150 for months and I thoiught it was helping but when they did a CBC it showed that it was not working. At first they put me on IV iron and Procrit. When my iron level was up to normal range they stopped the IV iron and switched from Procrit to Aerpnesp (sp?) It is suppose to be more powerful and cost less than Procrit. Anyway it finely kicked in and my hemoglobin is now 11.3. Today I had a visit with my internest who laughed when I told him the hemotologist said that they thought I had Anemia of Chronic Disease. He then laughed and said that is what they alwaysmsay when they can't figure out why you are not making good RBC. Take Care Judy in PA