Question:
Need to talk to anyone that may be anemic???

I am EXTREMELY anemic....I am post-op since 2003...Had the RNY...My gynecologist wants to do a hysterectomy, but I am scared to death. I need some advice from you out there, tht may be anemic too....I do the iron supplements, an iron injection once a month and they are thinking about transfusion..I thought I would go up after my shot, but actually went down a point....HELP...my email is [email protected]    — lippyblonde2000 (posted on January 10, 2010)

January 10, 2010
I am also anemic after my RNY in August of 03. I tried the oral supplements and even had 3 transfusions. My primary doctor didn't know exactly how to handle it beyond the this point. I had developed a hernia in March of 07 and went to a surgeon (that I will call Dr. R.) that I had met when I was first thinking about having surgery but he only did the lap band and I wanted the RNY, anyway he is the one who educated and helped me alot in getting my anemia under control. Up to this point other doctors had ran test and scopes trying to find a "bleed" but never could come up with a the reason of the anemia. When I discussed this issue with Dr. R. before my hernia surgery he said "of course your anemic you have had a RNY and you still are menstrating...this is totally expected because of the removal of so much of the small intestine.He asked about my periods, how heavy and how long, those type of questions. My periods last 8 - 10 days and are extremely heavy. I was not on any type of birth contol pill at the time and this was the first thing he suggested. If you can get your periods where you only have a cycle every 3 - 4 months this should help. My OBGYN is against me having a hysterectomy due to the hormone issue so she was very willing to help me with getting the right birth control for me. Dr. R. also referred my to a Oncologist on the Cancer Care Center that specializes in Hemotology. She did a complete iron work up and started giving me IV iron treatments. The infusions last about 4 hours. At the beginning I had to have an treatment every month and now every three months. She continues to monitor my lab every month even when I don't need a treatment. I still have not had a hysterectomy and my iron saturation and H & H stay within normal limits. If you are not on a birth control regiment that is the first thing I would check into. I would also get a referral to a hemotologist for ideas on finding a treatment plan that will work for you. And it wouldn't do any harm to get a second opinion from another gynocolist. Then make your decision. I hope this helped.
   — kim_turner10

January 10, 2010
I had my RYN 12/2003! I as well have been extemely anemic, I was doing a bunch of vitamins, tried to do a iron infusion which almost killed me! I was alergic to the iron and so that is not even a option. So, last fall a friend sent me some Vemma to try. Its a liquid vitamin that tastes great and with-in just over a month of taking it I finally am in the normal low normal range on my anemia panel. I feel better than I have in a long time, tons of energy. I like it so much, I would be more than happy to drop some in the mail for you to try. Go to www.jones.vemma.com or email me with you address and Ill drop some in the mail to you. Its a awesome product. Talk to you soon, Good luck, Jeanette Jones
   — ckjjones

January 10, 2010
Oh no no no. Please Please don't get a hysterectomy. I have been through the exact same thing and it was NOT my hysterectomy. It was a bleeding ulcer that didn't hurt until it was severe. Now I am no longer able to have babies. I would suggest an upper and lower GI through. I just had a Bypass Revision to repair the ulcers. I would definitely see if you can regulate by Iron Transfusions but go to a hemotologist for special care and you may just be able to regulate it by them and rebuild it to see if it regulates. Give it time, be patient and do not jump into a hysterectomy, WHAT SO EVER< PLEASE!!!!! Good Luck and please e-mail me at [email protected] if you hae other question. It is not my main e-mail so I don't check it all the time. I too had PCOS and heavy menstral since I wa young but this was NOT it.
   — jmcerandell

January 11, 2010
I had RNY in Sept of 2006. I am taking a depo shot which eliminates (for the most part) my periods. I still have some minor break-through bleeding (spotting) in the late 2nd or early 3rd month before my shot is due. I take the injection every 3 months. I had bleeding which was lasting like 12+ days. This has really helped and should get me through the change (I am 47). You may want to try this before a hysterectomy if its being done for heavy bleeding. You may require a bone density scan after taking depo shots - I've been on them for a few years - had a density scan - no issues. Good luck!
   — waferqueen

January 11, 2010
I had surgery Jan 2006. I started feeling bad and was diagnosed with severe anemia. I now see a Hematologist and receive iron infusions 1x every 6 mos. I receive Infed which is a heavy dose. They had done an EGD and a colonoscopy and have found nothing. My iron/ferritin levels seem to fall over a period of 6 mos. I too have been told to have a Hyst...my periods have always been normal..so why did it take 2 yrs for my anemia to be so severe that I now require infusions every 6 mos. It doesn't make sense. I would think I would have had issues earlier on. Please keep us informed on your health. Hope things go well.
   — L_Reschke

January 13, 2010
I have been anemic for years but it was due to back to back babies and breast feeding and not eating the protein I was supposed to. Now post RNY I am determined to NEVER be iron anemic ever again. One I am taking Feosol, and readily absorbed iron for RNY patients. I also ensure I am getting in enough vitamin C and folic acid, both of which aid in iron absorption. Iron anemia can take years of constant treatment to get back under control. I would do everything I could in order to help my body absorb that iron and NOT get a hysterectomy.
   — Lyzias

January 13, 2010
INFUSION!!!! I had gotten all the way down to a hgb of 8 before the OB doctor decided I need a transfusion of 2 pints of blood followed by Ifed Infusions. I had 2 about 2 weeks in between. I went a full year before my ferritan dropped under 100 which is the criteria of needing another infusion. Other wise your Hgb drops when you exhaust all your ferritan and can't absorb the iron. THe shots can cause staining if not done right- which took a year for me to get rid of (I had 12 all together) and it causes terrible hip muscle soreness. The infusion only takes about 2 hours. A hematologist is the best person to use for this treatment as they deal with blood disorders and cancer patients that get anemic all the time. good luck.
   — Rgreathouse95

January 24, 2010
I to had my surgery in 2003.I went to the doctor because my tongue was burning and had strange lines on it.I GAINED TEN POUNDS.i went to a weight loss clinic to get back on track.MY BLOOD WORK CAME BACK .HEMOGLOBIN 8.4 ,IRON 16,HEMATOCRIT 26.6V ALL MY BLOOD WAS OFF.I WENT TO MY PCP AND SHE SAID SHE DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO TELL ME CAUSE I HAD NO INSURANCE.SHE SAID I WAS BLEEDING INSIDE AND I NEEDED TO FIND IT.I HAD A COLONOSCOPY,UPPER GI ,SMALL BOWEL XRAY 5000.00 WORTH OF TESTS AND NO ONE TOLD ME MY BYPASS COULD OF CAUSED IT.I TAKE 1CC A WEEK OF B-12 650MG OF IRON A DAY AND A MULITVITAMIN .I HAVE BEEN ON THIS REGIMEN ONE MONTH MY HEMOGLOBIN IS AT 10.4 NOW.MY BYPASS SURGEON WONT RETURN MY CALLS AND WHERE I LIVE NO DOC WILL DO FOLLOW UP FOR OTHERS SO I AM STUCK WITH MY PCP.I CHANGED PCP AFTER THIS EPISODE.MY NEW PCP SAID I WENT THRU TESTS I DID NOT NEED THAT I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN SUPPLIMENTS THEN ANOTHER CBC.FROM WHAT I HAVE READ MY NEXT MONEY WILL BE SPENT ON A HEMATOLOGIST.DONT BE SCARED! I WAS HORRIFIED !!!IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK ON THE PHONE EMAIL ME AT [email protected] and I WILL GIVE YOU MY NUMBER. MY TONGUE TURNED OUT TO BE MIGRATORY GLOSSITIS MAYBE ONCE MY BLOOD IS GOOD IT WILL GO AWAY OR MAYBE IT WONT BECAUSE THEY REALLY DONT HAVE A CURE BUT THIS HAPPENED AT THE SAME TIME .
   — baughcumh