anemia

I am over 2 years out from surgery and am doing great except for one thing. I am anemic. They have tried doubling my dosage, taking two dosages at different times during the day, taking it with orange juice (or something acidic to help it absorb), they did a procedure to lesson my heavy periods, and now they are sending me to a GI Dr to check for colon cancer as anemia is a symptom of colon cancer and it happens to have occurred on my Dad's side of the family. I am kind of worked up about it but don't really feel like I have cancer. I go to the GI Dr for a consult today. My ankles and legs have been swelling up which is why I went to the Dr in the first place and she told me that is a symptom of anemia after ruling out most other causes of swelling. Anyway, I am writing to see how common it is for patients of our surgery to battle with anemia still after 2+ years. Any advice? Thanks, Rhonda

Dear Rhonda, I know anemia can be a problem for wls patients, but other than that, don't know a thing! Good luck with getting this under control. It sounds like you have some good doctors working on the problem. Best with everything, Sally

Rhonda, Anemia is very common in WLS patients. I was recently diagnoised with severe anemia and was put on 325 mg of iron 3xs a day. Since my stores were extremely low my Dr. had me do a stool test and that came back with blood in them, so I was losing blood as well. I had an endoscopy done last week and found out that I have a bleeding ulcer at the astomosis on my pouch, which is very common with WLS patients as well. Please take your Drs. advice and do what she is telling you to do. Also have the GI dr. check things out as well and make sure everything is ok. I will have to take this iron for this rest of my life. Stephanie