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Thoughts on my anemia?

dana316dana316 member
in Success after IF

I have always been anemic.  Just part of who I am, I guess.

I felt horrible during the first part of my pregnancy...tons of all day sickness, severe fatigue and shortness of breath.

I complained to my nurse practitioner that I was very, very fatigued...in fact, the term I think I used was 'bone tired'.  She went ahead and started me on iron, simply because she knew how anemic I was during my pregnancy with Caroline.

So. I've been on the iron supplementation for a month.  They checked my iron levels, and she called me yesterday all concerned because my iron levels were low.  I reminded her that I was already on supplementation, and asked her if we should increase it. 

She said not right now...she didn't want me to get too constipated, and we'd check it again next month.

I am still tired...more tired than I should be.  I can take Colace to prevent constipation...that doesn't scare me.  What scares me is feeling like this for another month, when in all likelihood, I could double my iron supplementation and feel a little better.

WWSAIFD?  Call her back and ask if I can go ahead and double it?  Or let it ride for another month until I see my OB, while increasing my intake of iron rich foods?  Or another option that my iron deprived brain hasn't thought of?

TIA!

 

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Re: Thoughts on my anemia?

  • browneyedgrl4282browneyedgrl4282 member

    I have the exact same problem. During my pregnancies it was rough and even increasing my iron did nothing. My iron levels never went up. I also never had constipation problems from the iron! They finally threw their hands up and said clearly my body just doesn't take in the iron like it should and no amount of iron will help! 

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  • AlissaCell701AlissaCell701
    Umm don't know.. I kind of told my doctor the same thing at my first visit. Told him how tired I was and The really bad headaches.. I keep getting.. He told me it was probably due to low iron and back to back pregnancies.. I would call the doctor though And maybe there is something else they can do. I plan on calling this week if my headaches don't subside soon. Add in the insomina I have got I feel like a hott mess! I hope you feel better soon.
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  • KYRNKYRN
    I would call back.  Do you know what your Hgb was?  If it's really low (especially with supplementation) they could do a few Venofer infusions to get you bumped up and then hopefully sustain with oral iron.  Or at least you could ask for an increase and start colace and then decrease if you need to due to constipation. 
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  • dana316dana316 member

    imageKYRN:
    I would call back.  Do you know what your Hgb was?  If it's really low (especially with supplementation) they could do a few Venofer infusions to get you bumped up and then hopefully sustain with oral iron.  Or at least you could ask for an increase and start colace and then decrease if you need to due to constipation. 

    I didn't even think to ask her what my Hgb was...I guess I need to call back today.  I honestly wouldn't mind a few Venofer infusions if it helps me feel better.  I honestly do feel better since starting the iron, but I know that I am not even at 75%.  The SOB is better, for sure...but the fatigue is still there. 

    Even my super oblivious husband commented on it...and that says a lot.

     

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  • LIAngelLIAngel member

    I must be exhausted cause I thought your post was titled:  "Thoughts on my ENEMA".

    I was like "um..."

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  • marcuejmarcuej member

    I would call my OB and have a discussion with him/her.  With both pregnancies I had to get my iron bumped up from what I was first taking.  It didn't totally take away the exhaustion, but it sure helped.  Pregnancy is exhausting regardless and taking care of a toddler just adds to it.  But I really think you'd be better off with a higher dose. 

    FWIW, I never had constipation issues with iron either.  

    Good luck!  I hope you get some more energy back.

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  • cara-n-stevecara-n-steve member
    Did she check your Faratin (SP) Levels as well?  I'm severely anemic and get iron transfusions and had a blood transfusion after the boys were born since my iron is so low.  Are they giving you medicine via IV or just pills?  The pills do nothing for me.  If you are on the iron pills, take them with Vitamin C.  It's supposed to help you absorb them better.  Hope this helps!
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  • KYRNKYRN
    Yeah, I think I would call back.  All iron is not created equal either.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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    BFP, Femara 7.5mg, Ovidrel, IUI. Beta #1 17dpIUI -495 Beta #2 19dpIUI-1031
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