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J_9 · Mar 15, 2010, 02:07 PM

I'm still very worried about you Alty. Your blood is so low that you should have had a transfusion by now.

Wondergirl · Mar 15, 2010, 02:10 PM

And we want to find out the source of the bleeding. All the iron in the world won't make that better.

Alty · Mar 15, 2010, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by J_9

I'm still very worried about you Alty. Your blood is so low that you should have had a transfusion by now.

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.

Alty · Mar 15, 2010, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

And we want to find out the source of the bleeding. All the iron in the world won't make that better.

Exactly. Right now he's more concerned about getting my hemoglobin up and finding out why I'm bleeding.

The iron is just a temporary fix, he's hoping to get to the source.

J_9 · Mar 15, 2010, 02:16 PM

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.

KISS · Mar 15, 2010, 02:23 PM

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.

Wondergirl · Mar 15, 2010, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by J_9

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.

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.

J_9 · Mar 15, 2010, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by KeepItSimpleStupid

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.

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.

Alty · Mar 15, 2010, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by J_9

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.

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.

He explained why but I couldn't tell you exactly what he said, it's over my head and on the wall behind me.

Wondergirl · Mar 15, 2010, 02:33 PM

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?

J_9 · Mar 15, 2010, 02:34 PM

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.

Alty · Mar 15, 2010, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by J_9

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.

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? :)

J_9 · Mar 15, 2010, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by Altenweg

I know J, but really, he's taking very good care of me. I'm also taking good care of myself.

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.

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.

Wondergirl · Mar 15, 2010, 03:19 PM

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!

Alty · Mar 15, 2010, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by J_9

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.

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.

That I didn't know.

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.

Alty · Mar 15, 2010, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

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!

I do look and feel like death but I am feeling stronger today then I have in a long time.

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?

Catsmine · Mar 15, 2010, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Altenweg

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.

J_9 · Mar 15, 2010, 03:43 PM

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.

Wondergirl · Mar 15, 2010, 03:50 PM

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.

Alty · Mar 15, 2010, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by J_9

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.

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.

I will get a second opinion and I will call my doctor tomorrow morning. I promise, no need to dust off the broomstick. ;)