Hi to you all,
I have been anaemic for a year now, *when I was tested I had a blood count of 8, the doctor said it was due to my bleeding hemeroids.
He referred me to a specialist and also prescribed iron tablets 3 time a day.
The specialist banded them but I started bleeding again about a month afterwards.
Since then I have also had a endoscopy and a colonoscopy to make sure there was nothing more going on, also lots of blood test. The only thing he found was iron deficiency aneamia. When I go to the toilet the bowl is full of blood afterwards. It sprays out of me.
I have now come full circle and last week they were banded again as a temporary measure while I wait for an operation to have them removed.
The doctor says he is not going to remove the but stitch the veins leading to the hemeroids, it could be a few months though before I have the op.
I feel tired all of the time, my memory is really bad, cannot concentrate, dizzy spells and I am starting to feel depressed.
My job is a computer system administrator but i feel like I have forgot how to do anything it's as if my memory has been erased it is really worrying me. I have taken time off for a few weeks so I can rest.
Can anyone tell me is it normal for my brain to be so badly effected, if so is there anything more I can take to help me recover faster.
Any food or drink I can take with my iron tablets. How long will it take for my blood count to reach normal levels.
Thanks for reading.
Hi grayson99, yes it can cause all these things dizzyness etc as there are not enough red blood cells carrying oxygen around your body, how long to get back to normal depends on how soon your op and if you are still bleeding, if it gets too low you may need an iron drip to get you up to normal as it may take a while just taking iron tablets and diet. Its a big subject and best you discuss with your GP. hope this helps a bit, hope you feel better soon
Hi Grayson - Welcome to Healthypages :wave:.
Low iron levels has all the symptoms you talk about. Most distressing to be sure! The normal range is 13-17 grams per decilitre (g/dl) for men and 12-15g/dl for women, so I would say yours, at 8, are very low!!! No wonder you can't think straight. Ask about a blood transfusion!
Restoring your iron levels is not a quick fix, especially when you are losing it at such a rate! I would talk to your doctor - even take a potty (well wrapped!) with a sample and all the blood in it to show him/her :eek:. I find they often do not believe you when telling your symptoms - and also push hard to get the operation done quickly. Losing all this blood is not acceptable under any circumstances. I would also write a list of all your problems and hand it to the doctor and keep a copy for yourself.
Meanwhile I expect they have given you Fersolate (ferrous sulphate - the cheapest!) tablets which can be seriously constipating - and actually makes things worse! I would ask for Ferrous gluconate which is much gentler on the gut. Always take it with vitamin C/fruit to help absorption. And make sure you keep iron tablets well out of the reach of children! There is some helpful info about the right foods to eat.
I'd get back to your doctor and get something sorted pronto.
Hi Grayson - Welcome to Healthypages :wave:.
Low iron levels has all the symptoms you talk about. Most distressing to be sure! The normal range is 13-17 grams per decilitre (g/dl) for men and 12-15g/dl for women, so I would say yours, at 8, are very low!!! No wonder you can't think straight. Ask about a blood transfusion!
Restoring your iron levels is not a quick fix, especially when you are losing it at such a rate! I would talk to your doctor - even take a potty (well wrapped!) with a sample and all the blood in it to show him/her :eek:. I find they often do not believe you when telling your symptoms - and also push hard to get the operation done quickly. Losing all this blood is not acceptable under any circumstances. I would also write a list of all your problems and hand it to the doctor and keep a copy for yourself.
Meanwhile I expect they have given you Fersolate (ferrous sulphate - the cheapest!) tablets which can be seriously constipating - and actually makes things worse! I would ask for Ferrous gluconate which is much gentler on the gut. Always take it with vitamin C/fruit to help absorption. And make sure you keep iron tablets well out of the reach of children! There is some helpful info about the right foods to eat.
I'd get back to your doctor and get something sorted pronto.
I have posted this on 3 forums and you advice is the best by a mile.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.
I have posted this on 3 forums and you advice is the best by a mile.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.
Nice to know the advise is helpful (I did train as a nurse). Do hope you get sorted asap.
Let us know how you get on won't you!
Hi Grayson99
Here are some tips regarding foods that will help with Anaemia: Consume foods high in Vitamin C e.g.: kiwi fruit and citrus, to enhance iron absorption. Do not smoke; avoid others when they are smoking. Include in your diet: liver, kidney beans, blackstrap molasses, apples, apricots, asparagus, bananas, broccoli, egg yolks, kelp, peas, plums, prunes, raisins and whole grains. Omitting all sugar from the diet increases iron absorption. Avoid taking aspirin. My sister found this site helpful: