Re: Low Iron

[Guest guest]

Hi

The specialists originally thought I had IBD or Crohns because of the

low iron. (Which proved negative).

My theory is that perhaps there is a problem with the colon not yet

discovered. Natural therapists believe there is a condition known

as " sluggish bowel " and the toxins cause skin problems.

Something to think about. On the strength of that I think I will

start back on the slippery elm bark. 1/2 teaspoon in hot water - let

sit for 15 minutes, drink and wait 1/2 hour before breakfast.

Cheers

Lesley

[Guest guest]

Juls

It is a problem getting doctors to treat anemia more aggressively. I have

asked your question on another group to see if we can't get some kind of

'report' that you can take to your hemo. In the mean time...do as your hemo

suggest and increase your iron. You may also want to increase your vitamin C

levels and perhaps add some copper. Ask your hemo to test your copper levels.

Also go to your gyno and get on birth control that will stop your periods. You

don't need to be losing that blood monthly as it is just adding to the problem.

I also take b12. I know we should and do absorb b12 as DSers...but remember

even non-wls patients have problems with b12/iron issues. Plus as we age it

becomes more of an issue. I also personally believe that it is a vitamin they

will soon be saying that the RDA is too low on (just like vitamin D). I keep my

b12 above 1000...actually wouldn't mind it being closer to 2000. If your iron

defeciency isn't stemming from b12 it won't help to raise your iron levels...but

it may slightly help increase your energy level. It falls into the catagory of

" it might not help but it won't hurt " .

Iron defeciency is common in women...regardless of wls...but being a wls patient

it is amplified and harder to reverse. I'll let you know if I'm able to find

out any info. I am beating the bushes for info for you. Also be sure to let us

know what Dr. K says. And if he does answer...bug the heck out of him until he

does! lol.

Hugs

Jo

[Guest guest]

Jo-

I had an appointment with Dr K yesterday- and co-incidentally asked him about

his thoughts on discussing with an OBGYN some birth control that would

eliminate/control my periods as to help make me less anemic. His thoughts on

the subject were quite clear (in regards to my personal situation). First off,

he agreed that having periods with chronic anemia is a situation that is better

addressed than not. His solution he said would be having the plumbing

permanently removed- but he had other views on oral meds to control the

situation. He said (and again this is in regards to my personal situation)- he

would rather see me attain a doctor that understands the abrasion procedure

would be a better solution for me than meds. Dr. K said most OBGYN's will go

with oral meds, but with " me " things are different. While taking the oral meds,

first off- there is the issue of absorption and getting the correct dosage.

THEN....as time is taken getting that right, the anemia is still not resolved

because for someone chronically anemic, time is not our best friend. Time can

place us into a situation quickly. He said that the abrasion procedure is

better because I wouldn't be dealing with meds, and would be more timely in

controlling the situation. Anywho- just thought I would share that with ya'll

since it came up.

Also, it is nice if you can find a good hemo dr.- my doctor understands my body

and agrees that oral iron is a mere band-aid at best. He agrees that infusions

are what works best for me- and I have to say that he is right. Anybody that

has suffered chronic anemia as in our situation knows how useless oral iron is-

the trick though is finding a good hemo doc.

Okay, I have been long-winded enough on my comments- on a side note- the

pancreatic enzymes that Dr. K has been having me take seem to have done their

job, as I was able to gain almost 5 pounds. So, I was told I could go to half

dosage- which is a good thing, because those frickin pills are incredibly harsh

on me- anybody else have any side effects from taking them?

Take care all-

~Sandi

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandi

You said Dr. K recommended an abrasion procedure? Unless this is something I'm

not aware of I think you meant to say an Ablation procedure.

Indeed oral meds are not always the best course of action for all of us. So

much depends on our age...especially is we want a future pregnancy.

An ablation or a hysterectomy is most certainly something to be considered as a

way to stop monthly bloodloss if anemia is a problem and your post-childbearing.

Thanks for bringing it up and sharing your story. I'm happy to know you are

gaining back some weight...it's progress!

Hugs

Jo

>

> Jo-

> I had an appointment with Dr K yesterday- and co-incidentally asked him about

his thoughts on discussing with an OBGYN some birth control that would

eliminate/control my periods as to help make me less anemic. His thoughts on

the subject were quite clear (in regards to my personal situation). First off,

he agreed that having periods with chronic anemia is a situation that is better

addressed than not. His solution he said would be having the plumbing

permanently removed- but he had other views on oral meds to control the

situation. He said (and again this is in regards to my personal situation)- he

would rather see me attain a doctor that understands the abrasion procedure

would be a better solution for me than meds. Dr. K said most OBGYN's will go

with oral meds, but with " me " things are different. While taking the oral meds,

first off- there is the issue of absorption and getting the correct dosage.

THEN....as time is taken getting that right, the anemia is still not resolved

because for someone chronically anemic, time is not our best friend. Time can

place us into a situation quickly. He said that the abrasion procedure is

better because I wouldn't be dealing with meds, and would be more timely in

controlling the situation. Anywho- just thought I would share that with ya'll

since it came up.

> Also, it is nice if you can find a good hemo dr.- my doctor understands my

body and agrees that oral iron is a mere band-aid at best. He agrees that

infusions are what works best for me- and I have to say that he is right.

Anybody that has suffered chronic anemia as in our situation knows how useless

oral iron is- the trick though is finding a good hemo doc.

> Okay, I have been long-winded enough on my comments- on a side note- the

pancreatic enzymes that Dr. K has been having me take seem to have done their

job, as I was able to gain almost 5 pounds. So, I was told I could go to half

dosage- which is a good thing, because those frickin pills are incredibly harsh

on me- anybody else have any side effects from taking them?

> Take care all-

> ~Sandi

>

[Guest guest]

Sandi,

I had my Hyst after a sympathetic OB/GYN told me that Ablations had a horrible fail rate and that many people usually end up with a hyst in a few years anyway. You might ask about this as a what about in your investigation. I went to her asking specifically for an ablation thinking a doctor would be more willing to do this procedure as my old doc was anti hysterectomy and every time I asked him to do something about the infernal bleeding he'd prescribe hormones.

After a trip to the hospital where I spent Christmas getting transfusions, I was determined to get a new doc and found a lady Gyn who was much more sympathetic. If you ask around you can find out who is and isn't sympathetic. Also Dr K told me he has doctors who work with him and understand so your lucky to be in the area.

As a side note My Step sister had a ablation. For a few months had pink tinged mucous that finally stopped and has loved it ever since. So not all fail. She is not a WLS patient, just a normie with issues in that area.

Mel

Jo-I had an appointment with Dr K yesterday- and co-incidentally asked him about his thoughts on discussing with an OBGYN some birth control that would eliminate/control my periods as to help make me less anemic. His thoughts on the subject were quite clear (in regards to my personal situation). First off, he agreed that having periods with chronic anemia is a situation that is better addressed than not. His solution he said would be having the plumbing permanently removed- but he had other views on oral meds to control the situation. He said (and again this is in regards to my personal situation)- he would rather see me attain a doctor that understands the abrasion procedure would be a better solution for me than meds. Dr. K said most OBGYN's will go with oral meds, but with "me" things are different. While taking the oral meds, first off- there is the issue of absorption and getting the correct dosage. THEN....as time is taken getting that right, the anemia is still not resolved because for someone chronically anemic, time is not our best friend. Time can place us into a situation quickly. He said that the abrasion procedure is better because I wouldn't be dealing with meds, and would be more timely in controlling the situation. Anywho- just thought I would share that with ya'll since it came up. Also, it is nice if you can find a good hemo dr.- my doctor understands my body and agrees that oral iron is a mere band-aid at best. He agrees that infusions are what works best for me- and I have to say that he is right. Anybody that has suffered chronic anemia as in our situation knows how useless oral iron is- the trick though is finding a good hemo doc.Okay, I have been long-winded enough on my comments- on a side note- the pancreatic enzymes that Dr. K has been having me take seem to have done their job, as I was able to gain almost 5 pounds. So, I was told I could go to half dosage- which is a good thing, because those frickin pills are incredibly harsh on me- anybody else have any side effects from taking them?Take care all-~Sandi