FDL TT Friday - Blood Transfusion Thursday?

I was a chronic anemic pre DS and post DS, still. I thought I was taking my Iron and other supplements appropriately but when my labs got back, my hemoglobin is a four. Yes, a 4. My norm is always low - even with supps I average around 7/8.

The Dr was floored that I wasn't on the floor. The assumption being that my body is accustomed to the low iron so I function like normal - F/T work, F/T school, single motherhood etc. A little tired but I figured it was because I am always busy. I'm wondering if the B12 shots and the plethora of everything else I'm taking are what helps me to maintain function.

Anywhoo, my FDL TT is scheduled for Friday and I was sure they'd cancel but it looks like I'm having my blood transfusion the day before, they'll check my numbers and proceed.

I had a transfusion immediately after my DS but I'm curious: Anyone require a blood transfusion before, during or immediately after their TT? How'd that work out for you? Healing made easier? 

Curious. . .

wow...that is VERY low....you must feel like crap!  You poor thing...

I am shocked that they are going to do your surgery still.  How many units of blood are they going to give you? Did they tell you what your numbers need to be at for surgery to go on?
You should feel better (much better) right after the transfusions..but my question is how did it ever get that low?  Are you seeing a specialist...if not, I would!  (sorry I am a RN and this low level is totally not ok)  How often do you have blood work done?

good luck to you!
Patty

Actually, that's the thing: I feel fine. A lil tired but not to the level I'm told I should. I am completely functioning and have been taking my supplements - in fact, I upped them in preparation for the surgery because I knew I'd be a bit low. Just not THIS low. They're going to do two units of blood but the last transfusion ended up being three, mid last year.

I went by referral to some Doc there who told me he wouldn't recommend iron infusions because then I could have too much iron and he gave me some supps. I took them, they did nothing. I found some poly irons that I have been taking on schedule so I was stunned when they told me this.

I am not seeing a specialist but the PS already set me up with a transfusion and says he'll set up a hematologist because everything else seems to be okay and no one can figure out why I'm not "laid out somewhere". I'm expecting that since they are still going ahead with surgery that they'll likely have some blood on hand.

They said they were aware I'm a chronic anemic and are prepared but I just find it interesting that my PCP and OB/GYN haven't gone to the level that this PS is going for me. There is still the possibility they'll cancel if after the tranfusion the numbers aren't right (I didn't even think to ask what the magic number is until you mentioned it - but I'm hoping). . .

edited to add: I forgot to mention that it's that time of the month and I am an exceptionally heavy bleeder. I wonder if that might be why it's so low. I'm thinking if I had the CBC during say, mid cycle, if my numbers would've looked better? I don't know just thinking out loud.

so happy to hear that your PS is sending you to a hematologist...you really should go.  It is dangerous for you to be walking around with those kind of numbers....and it is amazing that you are functioning so well!  Sounds like your PS is on top of it.
By the way...yes your numbers could be very low from having such heavy periods.  Have you gone to the ob/gyn?  I just hope that you can get to the source of this problem.

good luck to you and please do keep us posted.

Patty

Hi there,

I am actually in the same boat like you being very anemic but my level was o****il I gave birth to my daughter and lost a little over half my blood and just was never able to recoop it; I was going to ask them how that would work... if I would maybe get a transfusion before during or after... My doctor had prescribed me another iron supplement that i been taking without fail and I am to get my blood retested in March.

I'm curious to see what happens with you - I am tripped out that my iron actually dropped with the supps I'm taking. I truly would've expected them to at least take me to maybe a 10 (I was a 7 before the previous transfusion and immediately went up to an 8+ so with the supps I expected no less than 10 or so).  I'm feeling a bit more confident since all this transpired believe it or not because I am seeing more action in the past few days than I have in the past few years of this.

That is just craziness... I read your other post stating about being a heavy bleeder as well that time of the month... when i talked to my pcp she asked me if i was because that time of the month for me im HORRIBLE to the point where i am so faint and dizzy I have almost blacked out at work but I have thought nothing of it because i didnt think i was bleeding heavy but i do have clots and she stated that ,thats an  indication of heavy bleeding that its more than what it looks... since she has given me these other supplements this last month was a bit better i didnt feel like i was going to black out ... im glad ur seeing more action now than you have in the last few years maybe this will wake up your other doctors?

Mine was at 4 before my revision from Mini Gastric Bypass to RNY. I refused infusions (stupid, because it would have fixed the problem faster), and just doubled up on my iron per Dr.'s orders. It slowly came up some, but not enough.

Like you, I felt pretty good most of the time. When it got bad, I had a distinct metallic taste in my mouth, chewed ice like crazy, and had pretty serious attacks of shortness of breath. At least I thought I did. Anemia sort of sneaks up on a person, so I think we sometime underestimate how badly we are actually affected. Often I'd wake up at night gasping for air. I felt faint quite often. My memory suffered badly. 

My numbers have been normal since my RNY revision. However, I also went through menopause about the same time, and the very heavy cycles stopped. I honestly can't say if the revision made a difference, or if it was reaching menopause, or a combination of both. I'm astounded that I no longer chew ice. I had always read that can be caused by anemia, but I just thought is was a bad habit. I never do it now, so I guess it was the anemia that caused it. 

I had no idea how sick I really was until after my revision. The minute I was fully awake from surgery, I knew that I was better. I had been sick for a long time with severe bile reflux, anemia, and slowed digestion (there is a word for it, but it was a diagnosis of paralized stomach or something like that). One trade off is that I now have pretty serious attacks of low blood sugar, so I've got to learn how to manage those better. Still, I'm much healther these days with the anemia and bile reflux gone.

Any female who is severely anemic is having heavy cycles would be wise to see someone to find out how to stop or slow down those cycles. For me, it made all the difference in the world. Best of luck with your surgery!