Ask Me Help Desk - Colon Cancer

Much love to you alty...

Only advice I can give medically is do your best to focus on what answers you can get... not what is possible... I know that's damn near impossible to do... not start working through the what if's...

I'm not close to anybody who has gone through this process of discovery concerning your specific situation...

I do have two people close to me who battled and beat back different cancers... one with a 6% SR and another with a less than 20% SR... even scary numbers can be beat... and its premature to even talk about SR's...

Thanks for being here KP. It means a lot to me. I promise to take one day at a time and try not to worry about tomorrow. Right now I just have to get my hemoglobin up and right quick.

Stupid question and remember that my mind is not functioning as well as usual so this may be obvious to everyone else but right now it's over my head. My medication says "Do not take with antacids, eggs, cereals, whole grain breads, dairy products, coffee or tea".

Do they mean that I shouldn't take the medication with these products or that I shouldn't consume these products at all the entire time I'm on the medication?

I'm telling you right now, if I have to give up my coffee I'm not going to be pleasant. ;)

Alty I am just coming here and reading this over. I am sorry for your situation and your scare. You're an amazing person and you will be fine. Whatever the doctor finds you will have support from all around the world. You will have our love and prayers. Just keep that chin up and your pretty smile as much as you can.

Okay, I am having a laugh about this.

I have a thyroid condition for which I take medication every day. The medication must be taken on an empty stomach, so three hours after the last meal and then you can't eat for another hour after that. So I take it in the morning, it's the best time. Well, the iron meds also have to be taken on an empty stomach but they can't be taken at the same time as the synthroid, I have to wait at least 2 hours after taking the synthroid to take the iron and then I can't eat for another hour after the iron pill. Here's the funny part, I'm supposed to be eating 3 meals a day high in iron. When? ;)

They just can't make it easy, can they?

:eek: :eek: :eek:

That doesn't evenmake sense! You would have to be all day to take your pills, but then stay up all night to eat 3 meals! :confused:

Have you heard back from the Doctor today?

Looks like your eating all three meals for dinner.
Seriously that's to crazy. That's one question for the doctor for sure.

Three meals all in one? Eeek!

I'm not that hungry. ;)

I had a blood test this morning, no change yet but I've only had two pills since yesterday so it could just be to soon.

Apparently I'm on a very high dose of iron so I should see some changes soon. :)

Oh, the iron pills can also cause nausea which I am feeling a bit of. So, eat while you're nauseous but don't eat with the pill and don't take the pill with this pill and wait a specified time but eat 3 meals with lots of iron without puking it up.

Did you get all that? ;)

I may cry.

I'm going to go lay down for a bit, my brain hurts.

Did the doctor advise you to take the medication before or after meals? :confused:

Have a good nap! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown008

Did the doctor advise you to take the medication before or after meals? :confused:

Before which wouldn't be a problem if I was only on the iron pills but I also need to take my thyroid pills which is where the problem lies. Right now I can't eat all morning because of these two pills. I'm hungry! ;)

Okay, really, going to go lay down, feeling a bit yucky.

Talk to you all later.

Glad that you realise the importance of breakfasts now :)

Hm... you should ask your doctor for advise on your pills then.

Cya later! :)

Rest well Alty.

Easy answer Alty. Get the iron in injection form. IRON DEXTRAN - INJECTION (Dexferrum, Infed) side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions.

When taking meds that don't like to be taken with dairy products and antacids, there is usually a window that's disallowed. Generally the calcium decrease absorption which is the case for some antibiotics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clough
I'm just now coming onto this thread, Alty.

Are you okay for now?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altenweg

Hi Clough.

Actually, no, I'm not okay. I'm very weak right now, due to my hemoglobin being so low. I'm also very worried and scared, that's not helping.

Right now I'm just waiting for instructions on when to go in for testing, where to go etc. I'm also hoping the iron pills work soon (I only started taking them so I'm expecting a lot from these little pills ;))

I'm trying to stay positive and not cross any bridges until I know for sure what's going on but it's always on my mind.

Thanks for checking in. :)

Thanks for letting me know, Alty! I'll be more than just "checking in".

You're in my thoughts as well as prayers!

It's always on your mind... I know all about that.

I'll be back later. You have lots of support here!

Love,

Clough

Alty, if the iron pills are making your tummy yucky you should be taking them at bedtime so that you can sleep through the side effects.

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_9

Alty, if the iron pills are making your tummy yucky you should be taking them at bedtime so that you can sleep through the side effects.

I would but I have to take two a day, one in the morning and one in the evening. I have to space them out.

The pharmacist said that I could eat a little something with the pill if I find that it's causing too much nausea, I'm going to give it a while before I resort to that, see if my body can get used to it.

I slept all afternoon, woke up and dragged my arse out of bed to pick up the kids. One of Sydney's friends came up to me while I was waiting and said "You should put on some makeup, you're really white". Wow! I didn't realize I was that pale. :(

Alty, can you take the thyroid medicine at night, so you take IT out of the dose/meal equation?

Over time, you'll get used to the iron.

You just behave and do what the doctor orders. Try these sites:Iron Rich Foods - List of Foods High in Iron
Anemia: When Low Iron Is the Cause -- familydoctor.org
Foods High in Iron
High Iron Diet for Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron rich foods a list of foods high in iron content
Iron Rich Foods,Foods High in Iron List
Foods Highest in Iron | High Iron Foods
Foods High in Iron

We're praying for you down here.

Thanks for the links JM.

I can't take the thyroid pill at night because I also have to take another iron pill at night. Also, with the thyroid pill I have to have an empty stomach. I can't eat for 3 hours before the pill or for 1 hour after.

I've figured it out. If I get up at 5am and take my thyroid pill then I can take my iron pill at 7am and eat by 9am. The only bad thing, I can't drink coffee 2 hours before or after the iron pill.

I may be a bit grumpy for a while. ;)

A nice long rest, hope you enjoyed it :)

Kids these days :D, hope it didn't get too you too much

Quote:

Originally Posted by albear

a nice long rest, hope you enjoyed it :)

kids these days :D, hope it didnt get too you too much

It was actually an eye opener. I hadn't noticed. When I went home I took a good look in the mirror, I am pale. Very pale. The kid was right.

Rest is the one thing I'm doing a lot of. I could sleep all day, I'm so tired, drained, no energy right now. They say that sleep is the best medicine, I hope they're right. ;)

I hope so too :)

Although having the tablets there as back up isn't a bad thing :)

Alty:

Hope you sleep well.

Here is a link whch basically says bleeding is a symptom. There are a number of possibilities: Bleeding in the Digestive Tract

The only thing you know is you have bleeding and lost blood means less iron. From the above link, it also means:

Sudden, severe bleeding is called acute bleeding. If acute bleeding occurs, symptoms may include

* weakness
* dizziness or faintness
* shortness of breath
* crampy abdominal pain
* diarrhea
* paleness

Which are not good. Take care. Virtual hugs and kisses.

KISS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altenweg

It was actually an eye opener. I hadn't noticed. When I went home I took a good look in the mirror, I am pale. Very pale. The kid was right.

At least she didn't ask why you don't sparkle. ;)

Alty, I hope they can quickly find the cause of the bleeding. What ever that cause is.

Keep your angels, a duck and a green apple candle handy and I know you will make it through this. You have a very large support system. Use us as needed.

You're in my thoughts and prayers. :)

I have you on my mind and hope all is well today!

Thinking of you today Alty.
Hope your resting well.

Well, another day another dose of iron. My tummy hates me right now.

I'm very tired, so much so that I didn't wake up today when my alarm went off. Hubby ended up waking me up, asked if I was okay. I really don't remember the alarm going off or hitting the snooze button. WTH?

In a half hour I can eat something and have a cup of coffee. I'm giddy. :)

Your tummy might hate you, but it'll thank you later ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown008

Your tummy might hate you, but it'll thank you later ;)

True. I hope.

I plan on having a huge lunch. I'm actually hungry. I haven't really been hungry in a long time so this is good. :)

I agree with unky, at least you can look forward to that cup of coffee :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by albear

i agree with unky, at least you can look forward to that cup of coffee :)

I'm seriously counting down the seconds.

I may have an addiction. ;)

So what's on the menu a sandwich or something special :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by albear

so whats on the menu a sandwhich or something special :)

A spinach salad and tuna fish sandwich. Iron, iron, iron. :)

I hate iron! ;)

Oh, and coffee! Lots of coffee! :)

Iron iron iron :)
Good to hear your getting as much as possible.
Really worried about you :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by albear

iron iron iron :)
good to hear your getting as much as possible.
really worried about you :)

Truth told, I'm worried about me too. Mostly because my doctor is worried about me and he doesn't worry.

I'm doing everything I can to get better. I'm also doing everything I can to find out what's going on, why this is happening.

Whatever it is, I'm a fighter and I'll fight it.

So, for now, iron, iron, iron and very thankful for all the support I have here. You all mean the world to me and the fact that you're all here to lend an ear, offer a shoulder, give a hug, that means more then I can say.

Eight minutes to coffee. :)

Well I hope you enjoyt hat cup of coffee! You deserve it! Are you feeling any better? Aside from being tired?

I know you're a fighter :) I'm routing for you :D

5 minutes, have you checked the kettle made sure its got enough water in :D

Hey, girl! How are you getting away with only taking iron tablets? When I was severely anemic last September, I ended up having a colonoscopy. Has your doctor mentioned that you should have one? You'll be able to see on a monitor a tiny camera zooming down your colon -- like a luge at the Olympics.

The coffee is brewing, the whole house smells like heaven.

Is it bad that I'm watching the coffee brew, eagerly awaiting it to be done? I need my coffee!

Bella, I'm not really feeling all that different but I'm okay. I have tummy problems from the iron intake but I'm living with it.

The coffee will help. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Hey, girl! How are you getting away with only taking iron tablets? When I was severely anemic last September, I ended up having a colonoscopy. Has your doctor mentioned that you should have one?

The tests are being booked as we speak. My doctor is pulling some strings, trying to get me in asap. The bad thing is, in Canada, getting an appointment with a specialist (which is the only way to get a colonoscopy) can take months, unless you're able to pay and get in right away. I can't afford to pay $5000 to get in right away, if I could, I would.

My doctor knows a lot of specialist, he'll pull strings if he can. I know he's doing his best to get me in right away.

I also need an endoscopy done, an ultrasound, a CT scan and he's talking about an MRI.

Lots of test coming up. Yippee! ;)

Quote:

Altenweg agrees : It's being booked as we speak WG. It's not as easy as just walking into a clinic, you have to see a specialist and it can take a while to get in.

I too had to see a specialist first -- I didn't just walk into a clinic. I ended up in the hospital for it. We can compare notes later on the prep mixture you will drink before the procedure can be done.