Iron Infusions, etc.

(I posted this in the main message board, but am also posting it here on Q&A . . . ) D-R-A-M-A, D-R-A-M-A, D-R-A-M-A, and drama was her name-oh! OK. It's been awhile again since I posted, but here I am, back again whining and needing support . . . For the past couple months I've been feeling REALLY tired & weak, getting worse and worse. I went for my labs about a month ago. My protein & B12 levels were good, but he was concerned about my iron so he sent me to a hematologist, as well as to a neurologist to delve into some central nervous system-type issues I've been having . . I finally just got into the hematologist Monday. He explained to me that a normal level is 14, low is 11, anemic is 8 and I'm a 3. (It all sounds greek to me, but I think he was referring to hemoglobin) Because I take a multi-vitamin w/iron & minerals 2X daily and an extra iron tablet each day, he's assuming I'm malabsorbing iron from supplements and food, but is also referring me to have me checked for internal bleeding. He wanted me to start iron infusions right away. So yesterday I go for my first in a 3-week series of iron infusions, and lo-and-behold I break out in extreme hives from the test dose, so he can't proceed with the treatment. Apparently, there is another iron infusion drug he can use as a second choice, but it's "not approved" so there may be a problem with insurance. What then??? And how long can I walk around as a 3??? Am I dropping to a 2, 1, 0, or negative as we speak?? I'm trying my hardest to be strong, but I am really very scared. I've battled depression most of my adult life, and I am a trooper. I always found a way to plaster a smile on my face and make my day happen successfully. But this anemia is kicking my butt. It's unlike any sick I've ever felt. (Maybe that's because I finally felt what feeling good really felt like, and I love it!) I was so looking at the glass half-full instead of half-empty and glad when there seemed to be an end in sight, and then I turn out allergic to the end. Then, of course, in the back of my mind I'm thinking "is this the kind of thing they will want to reverse my RNY for??" (????) Has this happened to anybody? What can I expect from here? One thing I did learn, though, is we really are our own best stewarts of our health care. I trusted the Dr's to know things and take care of me. My family doctor AND my surgeon both had these results, but neither of them told me I was a 3 when I should be a 14. Actually, my PCP told me I was "mildly anemic" and I should take an iron supplement until my surgeon reviewed the results. From here on in, I will request a copy of my labs and monitor that along with my doctors. Then again, maybe I'm over reacting, who knows. Do you think I need some cheese to go with this whine?!?! Audra, Open RNY 8-7-03. 5'6"/248/fluctuating 139-143/140

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