I'm still very worried about you Alty. Your blood is so low that you should have had a transfusion by now.
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I'm still very worried about you Alty. Your blood is so low that you should have had a transfusion by now.
And we want to find out the source of the bleeding. All the iron in the world won't make that better.
That's still a possibility but the doctor is a bit worried that a blood transfusion could cause more complications, especially since we don't know why I'm so anemic.Quote:
Originally Posted by J_9
Exactly. Right now he's more concerned about getting my hemoglobin up and finding out why I'm bleeding.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
The iron is just a temporary fix, he's hoping to get to the source.
With you hemoglobin being so low, you are not getting enough oxygen to your vital organs. This results in hypoxia and can result in a high level of carbon dioxide in your body. I don't know your doctor, and I know you trust him, but if it were me I would want to know WHY he's not being more aggressive with the treatment.
You are tired, pale, and probably cold a lot of the time. This is because you don't have enough OXYGEN in your body.
Has anyone done pulse oximitry? It's just a sensor that sits on your finger and measures oxygen levels,
See: Pulse oximetry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It probably is worthwhile doing.
I'm still concerned that you haven't had an emergency colonosopy.
Been there, done that last September when I clocked in at 5.8 (higher than Alty is now) and almost immediately got three units of blood. Seems like a transfusion and a colonoscopy are needed, and this is an emergency situation.Quote:
Originally Posted by J_9
I do it every night at work KISS. This doesn't have anything to do with iron levels in the blood. If a person is breathing right and the lungs are working properly, the O2 levels on a pulse ox will look high.Quote:
Originally Posted by KeepItSimpleStupid
I have asked why he's not sending me to get a transfusion, his worry is that with my hemoglobin as low as it is, I could have problems with the transfusion.Quote:
Originally Posted by J_9
He explained why but I couldn't tell you exactly what he said, it's over my head and on the wall behind me.
At least all the blood you are losing will be very rich.
Can you ask him again why no transfusion yet? Are you scheduled to get another blood test soon to determine if your hemoglobin level has gone up?
I'm glad you like him hun. I'm just worried about you. It just seems he is taking a wait and see approach. That bothers me.
I know J, but really, he's taking very good care of me. I'm also taking good care of myself.Quote:
Originally Posted by J_9
He's keeping a very close eye on things. If there isn't an improvement soon then I'm off to the hospital. I promise you that I'm not letting this slide, that I'm on top of it.
I'm so glad I have you in my corner. Don't worry too much, okay? :)
I worry a lot. Why? Because if I worked for this doctor I would be questioning his orders. In my facility we have standing orders for a blood transfusion when the hemoglobin is 10 or under. Yours is HALF that. Your body is being forbidden life sustaining oxygen. Your organs, your heart, lungs, liver, kidneys are being deprived of the iron rich blood they need to survive. Damage is happening every day that goes by without a transfusion.Quote:
Originally Posted by Altenweg
This is NOT something to take a wait and see approach. This is an emergent situation. Taking the iron pills for this is like putting a band aid on a severed artery. It just doesn't work.
You want to be alive and healthy when you children grow up right? Then you need to stand up and save yourself.
I guess I don't understand how he's taking good care of you. I remember how I looked and felt (like death) with a higher hemoglobin level than you're at!
That I didn't know.Quote:
Originally Posted by J_9
I will call him tomorrow morning, or go for a second opinion. I promise you J. I can't tonight, R has the only working vehicle and he's working nights. I'm stuck here with no transportation.
I will call first thing in the AM.
I know he's concerned that a blood transfusion at this point could be hazardous because my hemoglobin is so low. For him a blood transfusion is a last resort, after trying other avenues.
The Iron pills I'm on are Palafer 300mg, under that it says Ferrous Fumarate cap 300mg. Two a day.
I do look and feel like death but I am feeling stronger today then I have in a long time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
I sleep a lot WG, too much in my mind, but I'm always tired. I'm taking it easy, my house is falling apart because I'm taking it easy.
R is being wonderful, buying foods high in iron, making sure that I'm okay. Last night we had liver with spinach salad, potatoes and a glass of orange juice (which the pharmacist told me to buy).
R also bought dried peaches for snacks. Apparently they're high in iron too.
On the minus side, I have not had a bowel movement in three days, even though I'm also taking a fiber supplement. :(
TMI?
If I recall correctly, that's kind of expected with a low iron count.Quote:
Originally Posted by Altenweg
You better call first thing in the morning or I'm getting on my broom and flying there. I also want you to get a second opinion.
Look Alty, I'm not trying to scare you, just giving you the facts straight up. You know I don't sugar coat anything.
Now, off to work for me. If it's a slow night I'll be back.
Alty, I was just there six months ago, at the same place you are now. I was totally exhausted just walking the ten feet from the bathroom to the computer, had to sit for five minutes to stop panting, and otherwise couldn't even lift my arms to type. Foods, including water, didn't taste good; I wondered why even the water was so bad. The inside of my mouth was real sore, like I had eaten hot peppers, but didn't look any different. I needed three units of blood, stat.
Iron and good food won't help. There is a place inside you that is bleeding -- and it's not supposed to be bleeding. Yes, please call your doctor first thing in the morning.
I know J, and I'm glad that you're telling me the facts. I'm not a doctor, or a nurse, so when my doctor says I'll be okay, I believe him. I'm glad that you're around to tell me the risks because yes, I do want to be around to see my kids grow up. Also, I just want to feel normal again.Quote:
Originally Posted by J_9
I will get a second opinion and I will call my doctor tomorrow morning. I promise, no need to dust off the broomstick. ;)
I will WG.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
I don't have the taste issues you did but I'm always thirsty and still dehydrated. I drink around 6 bottled waters (16oz) each a day and I'm still thirsty. I'm not really hungry, not because food tastes bad, it's just too much of an effort to cook or even make a sandwich. Hubby has been taking care of me, he's doing most of the cooking.
I could sleep 24/7. I went to bed at around midnight last night (yes, late, I know) but didn't get up until around 2pm this afternoon. R took the kids to school, my alarm didn't even wake me up and it always does.
I could nap again right now, even though I've only been up for 3 hours. :(
Alty. Virtual hugs!
Hey! What about me?? I was anemic last September!! Where's my hug?Quote:
Originally Posted by KeepItSimpleStupid
Ill hug you if you want WG. If you teach me to spell.
That's a deal!Quote:
Originally Posted by Aurora_Bell
(Do apostrophes count? You need one with "Ill" -- "I'll.")
It's a start! Yes grammar counts! And I promise to try and use spell check every time.
:d
Alty: This is nuts. I agree with J_9. Don't wait. Search Results: Merck Manual Professional
You apparently have aniema due to blood loss. I'm really surprised that someone isn't jumping. Patients that are bleeding that are waiting in the ER get serviced first.
They need to find and stop the source of the bleeding fast while you can still survive the procedures.
This is readable: Blood Counts and Anemia: The University Center for Bloodless Surgery and Medicine at University Hospital in Newark, NJ
It makes the decision to do a blood transfusion a bit more complicated, but at 5 it does seem like the right thing to do.
I've been seeing this on the current threads feed for awhile, and never registered who started it. Alty, I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you. I know you'll be posting updates, but I'll still be waiting.
WG:
My mom had bleeding ulcers due to Celebrex and Bextra and ended up in the hospital twice. Neither time was fun. She just ended up having a colonosopy with a pediatric scope and the offending meds were stopped. She can't have any NSAI's and has to eliminate seeds from tomatoes and cucumbers for instance.
Alty:
With a loss of blood there may be a loss of blood pressure. I hope you have a means to keep track of it. Fluids can raise blood pressure. Staying put and drinking can raise it if it becomes an issue.
I laid mom down at Mcdonalds because she sort of passed out after getting up. She was out for about 5 minutes. Fortunately, no bones broke nor did her spine suffer more damage. They took her by ambulance and kept her for 4 days, found nothing and sent her home.
I found her on the floor one morning and she said she fell. I took vitals and blood sugar and BP really plummeted like 80/60 or something like that. I got her recovered at home with some professional help by phone. Took her in later in the day and the doc said she was lucky I knew what to do and one of the blood pressure meds was removed permanently.
Blood is a life line. I think the sign of blood qualifies as an emergency.
My blood pressure is normal for now, according to the machine at Walmart. ;)
10,000 posts alty , Congrats... I think ;)
That's a plus. Night Night.
OMG! I have no life! :(Quote:
Originally Posted by friend4u178
I still have to spread the rep. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by hheath541
Thanks Heath. I'll keep everyone posted. No worries. :)
Here's a hug for you, Wondergirl! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
((((((((Wondergirl))))))))
I agree with them all Alty. Get a second opinion. Its not going to hurt and can only help.
My brother-in-law had colon cancer. He stayed with our local hospital which has a bad rep. Over the coarse of two years they gave him 11 full body scans and said he was clear of cancer. Fine 100%. Shortly after he died. He waited on his second opinion and it was to late. His second opinion said it was to late the cancer spread through his entire body and there was nothing they could do. I wasn't going to tell you this when you started this thread. But seeing the alarm in J9 I think you need to hear second opinions aren't a bad thing. Its not going to offend your doctor and he doenst even need to know.
My mother-in-law also put off her illness. She survived breast cancer with flying colors. Symptoms came back and it was put on the back burner. Sure enough she had cancer in her liver. We had a private plane fly her to NYC for a transplant. But by then it was to late and she never made her turn on the waiting list.
Listen to your friends. Who cares if you do offend your doctor wanting another opinion. He still gets a paycheck if you make it or not Alty. Get another opinion.
Hi Alty,
How are you feeling today?
Hi all. I have an appointment with my doctor this morning, I'm going to demand that something be done because I'm actually feeling worse.
My legs are hurting so bad that I can barely walk up the stairs, forget about sitting or standing. I am shaky, I am dizzy and I am white as a sheet. My heart feels like it's going to come out of my chest any minute now.
I may end up in hospital today, if so I'll ask R to either post on Facebook or email one of you to let you know. He may not get to that right away, my being in the hospital will cause a lot of problems here at home. R is on nights at the moment, we can't afford for him to miss work but I can't ask any of my friends to take the kids overnight, especially on a school night. Not only do none of them have the room but it would be too hard on the kids.
I'm going to have to juggle a few things, find a way to make this work because I really think I need to be in the hospital right now.
I'll try to keep you all posted.
Thanks for all the support. :)
Aww, I'm sad to hear this... don't give up Alty, fight on, I know you can! :)
And yes, keep us posted, we worry so much about you :(
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