Low Hemoglobin Results

Hi jackie :hug:

Sorry you are feeling so awful Does your doc have someone who is taking over for her for the two weeks she is away? Is this your GP or Rheumy?

I think given that you are having breathing problems and your chest feels like it's caving in then the sooner you can get some treatment the better. Did your doc indicate why she thought your hemo was so low? Because the treatment will depend upon the cause..............i.e. if it's due directly to Lupus then you will probably need Pred or something to get it back up.

I think in your situation I would definitely want medical assessment and help and I wouldn't be waiting another 2 weeks to get it :hugbetter: They would probably be able to help in ER, they would have some kind of specialist who could advise on treatment.

love
Lily

Hi there,
I'm with Lily on this.
Although an Hb (marker for anaemia) that low is probably not a n emergency as such, it could become so if left untreated.
Your doc needs to find out whats causing it and treat accordingly, whether its inflammation, iron deficiency or slow bleeding from an ulcer or diverticular disease or whatever.
If you are getting physical symptoms like chest tightness and breathlessness you need to be seen sooner than later. Iron tablets take a long time to work so probably won't be enough to make you feel better now.
My count was that low with a big flare due to lupus or chronic inflammation and I felt awful.:worried:
Since my white count was also very low, I needed a high dose of prednisone to help,
I had a rapid reponse to this and soon felt better.
White count was soon up...... Hb takes longer.
Good luck and get on to that doc.

Hi Jackie,

Like Lily I do think that your chest problems need more immediate attention and you should seek medical help - so glad to hear that you have an appointment on Monday!

As to the iron being low there are quite a few probable causes and all the common ones normally get investigated first. Have you had a endoscopy, colonoscopy, berium follow through x-ray or even gynaecological checks done - investigations do unfortunately take time.

Good luck on Monday and let us know how you get on!

Hugs!

Lesley

Exhausted

Hi Everyone,

Saw the doctor on Monday nothing much to report. Took more test waiting on th results. Doc said she in very confused on where I'm lossing the blood. She tested me for b12 levels and huge aaray of others.

I'm to the point where i'm to weak to go to work. I'm very dizzy and have a terrible headache that won't go away.

Thanks for letting me vent but i'm very concerned about how weak I'm getting.

Jackie J

Hey ((((((((Jackie))))))) :hugbetter:

I'm sorry to hear your hemoglobin has dropped more....

The referral to a hematologist sounds like a very good move at this point; he should be able to shed some light into what is making you so anemic... It's good that your GP is taking this seriously.

I've had a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration and it really wasn't bad at all. They will inject you with a local anesthetic before the actual biopsy so really you don't feel much of anything, but most hospitals and docs also usually offer patients the option of conscious sedation. That way not only do you not feel any pain whatsoever but you don't even remember anything from the biopsy itself. Maybe you could discuss whether conscious sedation might be a possibility for you with your GP?

Of course you're worried and upset; anyone in your shoes would be I think... Hopefully the bone marrow biopsy and the haematologist appointment will able to provide you and your docs with some much needed answers and with treatment options to stabilize your haemoglobin and stop the anemia.

Vent all you want Jackie...! We are all here for you... Sending you loads of strengthening hugs and keeping my fingers, toes and eyes crossed for you to feel better
soon :grhug: :grouphug2: :fingers:

:flowery:

Zoi

Jacki,
Hang in there! Its good you are going to see a hemot...Do mention hemolytic anemia. As I said before, my first treatment for this anemia was prednisone for almost 2 years, followed by removing my spleen . When I was admitted to the hospital before I was diagnosed with Lupus, my hemoglobin was only 1/4 of what it should be. I had a 2 unit blood transfusion. I didnt have any bone marrow tests done. I was very ill with other things also, besides a huge dose of prednisone, they started me on Rituxan treatments. I have read that Rituxan is a treatment for many things, one being severe cases of Hemolytic anemia(only if necessary) There may be other treatments out there also, I guess I was just a difficult patient!
I know it is scary, but it is very good that you are going to this new doc.
Be strong, I have been in your very shoes...
Some good news-(knock on wood) I have had NO hemo. problems since all of that, over 3 years AGO!!!
Please feel better.....
Kim

Hey Jackie,

Sounds like you had a good appointment with your doc!

It does sound like your body very much needs the blood transfusion and the iron infusion at this point with your hemoglobin so low! And if there is a problem with nutrient absorption in your upper GI such as celiac disease then the iron infusion should help you loads until the gluten free diet allows your GI tract to absorb nutrients once more.

I had an iron absorption problem a couple of years back and it left me pretty anemic; I had tried every iron tablet in the book and massive doses of them too and nothing was working. IV iron was the only thing that fixed the anemia and stabilized the hemoglobin and iron levels in my blood until the docs could figure out what was causing the problem and treat it.

Hope the iron infusion and the transfusion help you loads....!

Sending loads and loads of strengthening hugs your way and hope everything goes extra smoothly for you from now on so that you can get some answers soon :grouphug2: :grhug:

:foryou:

Zoi