Re: discouraged

[Guest guest]

> Hi Friends,

>

> I am so discouraged - so I may get long and whiney! For months I

> have felt extremely tired - told myself I was just lazy, passed

out

> and told myself I was just hungry, didn't have the energy to do

> things I *like* to do and told myself I was depressed, felt dizzy

and

> told myself I needed coffee, etc. etc. Finally I go get my labs

> drawn - MCV, MCH, TIBC, UIBC, Iron Sat and Ferritin levels all

> indicate anemia! Ok, I am thinking I am not lazy, hungry,

depressed

> or in need of coffee, I am anemic. I visit with Dr K and he says I

am

> anemic and need some treatment - venofer is reccommended. I go see

a

> hematologist today and she says I am *not* anemic because despite

all

> the other indications/symptoms my hemoglobin is 12 so I can't be

> anemic. I just cried - literally. I don't trust myself to drive as

I

> am so dizzy and feel I could pass out. In order to get ANYTHING

done

> I need lots of caffiene and/or sugar. I must rest almost all

> afternoon - not sleepy - exhausted feeling. If I was employed I

would

> be unemployable unless they allowed afternoon naps and constant

> consumption of caffiene and sugar! I have gained 12 pounds since

> January - I am sure it is all the sugar and coffee I have to

consume

> to make it through the day. I have been completely compliant with

> multi vitamins and calcium, I drink lots of water, I eat tons of

> protein, I love red meat and veggies. I have a call into Dr K to

see

> what he advises. THe hema here says to come back in 3 weeks and

see

> if I am any better. It is summer. I don't want to feel like this

for

> another 3 weeks!!! I am so discouraged.

>

> hugs, cindy lee

In a word: bulls|t!

Go see another heme doc. I went on a 5 dose (200 a piece) course of

Venofer and it truly was like night and day. I am just about

positive my hemoglobin was 11 or 12 and my heme was astounded I

could even function. You sound exactly as I did almost a year and a

half ago. Please, call another Doc if your insurance allows it.

Take care.

Liz P.

[Guest guest]

CIndy lee,

There may be something else going on so go see your PCP. You do

have a PCP in GA, don't you?

It is true that a Hgb of 12 is not anemic. Didn't you get a

treatment already? Partial treatment? Anyway, it doesn't mean that

your iron stores are not depleted so you still need iron.

Mine got as low as 11.7 but I never noticed a difference. It is

back over 13 which is normal for me.

Also, folks, do not get hematocrit and hemoglobin mixed up. One is

about three times higher than the other, ie " her H and H is 10 over

33 " . Mild anemia is not treated with blood products. So, 10/33

would not be treated with a transfusion. Okay, nothing in medicine

is set in stone so don't yell at me if someone is having angina from

heart disease and gets a transfusion! lol

Marta

" never say never "

[Guest guest]

Lee

So sorry to hear this? Can you afford a second opinion? I would stick

with Dr K's opinion.

Remember last week I told you I was really tired? Well, I am back at

the gym and actually have a tad more energy because of that.

Hang in there...you are in my thoughs.

Kristy

On Wednesday, June 22, 2005, at 08:52 PM, mitchandcindy wrote:

> Hi Friends,

>

> I am so discouraged - so I may get long and whiney! For months I

> have felt extremely tired - told myself I was just lazy, passed out

> and told myself I was just hungry, didn't have the energy to do

> things I *like* to do and told myself I was depressed, felt dizzy and

> told myself I needed coffee, etc. etc. Finally I go get my labs

> drawn - MCV, MCH, TIBC, UIBC, Iron Sat and Ferritin levels all

> indicate anemia! Ok, I am thinking I am not lazy, hungry, depressed

> or in need of coffee, I am anemic. I visit with Dr K and he says I am

> anemic and need some treatment - venofer is reccommended. I go see a

> hematologist today and she says I am *not* anemic because despite all

> the other indications/symptoms my hemoglobin is 12 so I can't be

> anemic. I just cried - literally. I don't trust myself to drive as I

> am so dizzy and feel I could pass out. In order to get ANYTHING done

> I need lots of caffiene and/or sugar. I must rest almost all

> afternoon - not sleepy - exhausted feeling. If I was employed I would

> be unemployable unless they allowed afternoon naps and constant

> consumption of caffiene and sugar! I have gained 12 pounds since

> January - I am sure it is all the sugar and coffee I have to consume

> to make it through the day. I have been completely compliant with

> multi vitamins and calcium, I drink lots of water, I eat tons of

> protein, I love red meat and veggies. I have a call into Dr K to see

> what he advises. THe hema here says to come back in 3 weeks and see

> if I am any better. It is summer. I don't want to feel like this for

> another 3 weeks!!! I am so discouraged.

>

> hugs, cindy lee

>

>

>

<image.tiff>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Lee,

It sounds like semantics to me and if I were you, I would see if I

could find another hematologist! So what if your hemoglobin is 12,

everything else is low, which has got to make you feel like crap! So

what if it may not be considered 'anemia' if your hemoglobin is still

in the normal range?? Who the hell cares what your hematologist calls

it as long as he or she prescribes what you need to get your MCV, MCH,

TIBC, UIBC, Iron Sat and Ferritin levels into the normal range???

Basically your hematologist can kiss my ass and if he or she can't

provide you what you need to get your blood work into the normal range

Do you need the hemo to fill the Rx of Venofer or can you just get

that done if if Dr K's office calls your pharmacist? It's okay to feel

discouraged, but now that your bloodwork is explaining why you're

feeling tired and drained, don't let anyone else convince you to

ignore it and let you pretend it will either just go away or there's

nothing you can do about it or Jo's not going to be the only one to

fly to Georgia and kick your ass....

*love & hugs*

Anita in Denver

11/08/01 Dr Keshishian

> Hi Friends,

>

> I am so discouraged - so I may get long and whiney! For months I

> have felt extremely tired - told myself I was just lazy, passed out

> and told myself I was just hungry, didn't have the energy to do

> things I *like* to do and told myself I was depressed, felt dizzy and

> told myself I needed coffee, etc. etc. Finally I go get my labs

> drawn - MCV, MCH, TIBC, UIBC, Iron Sat and Ferritin levels all

> indicate anemia! Ok, I am thinking I am not lazy, hungry, depressed

> or in need of coffee, I am anemic. I visit with Dr K and he says I am

> anemic and need some treatment - venofer is reccommended. I go see a

> hematologist today and she says I am *not* anemic because despite all

> the other indications/symptoms my hemoglobin is 12 so I can't be

> anemic. I just cried - literally. I don't trust myself to drive as I

> am so dizzy and feel I could pass out. In order to get ANYTHING done

> I need lots of caffiene and/or sugar. I must rest almost all

> afternoon - not sleepy - exhausted feeling. If I was employed I would

> be unemployable unless they allowed afternoon naps and constant

> consumption of caffiene and sugar! I have gained 12 pounds since

> January - I am sure it is all the sugar and coffee I have to consume

> to make it through the day. I have been completely compliant with

> multi vitamins and calcium, I drink lots of water, I eat tons of

> protein, I love red meat and veggies. I have a call into Dr K to see

> what he advises. THe hema here says to come back in 3 weeks and see

> if I am any better. It is summer. I don't want to feel like this for

> another 3 weeks!!! I am so discouraged.

>

> hugs, cindy lee

[Guest guest]

Lee

Wow...how awful it must have felt leaving the Hema's office without

the hope that you would be feeling better REAL soon. I understand

how hard it is when your feeling so bad to actually pick up the

phone and make an appointment. But you have to keep fighting to

feel better.

Tell you what...If you can get your butt to Bakersfield, I'll pick

you up and take you to Delano for your infusion, that way you won't

have to drive yourself. Date's I'm not available are July 9th and

July 14-18 so just plan around those dates.

If you don't feel like you can swing the flight to Bako then at

least see if the hema will call Dr. K and discuss the need for an

infusion. If the Hema won't do that then find a new one.

One other option...I would discuss with Dr. K's office the merits of

walking into an ER to get treatment and have them call Dr. K.

In the mean time, make sure your taking oral iron.

Hugs

Jo

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the encouragment and well wishes. The antidote for the

discouraged is encouragement and I APPRECIATE it!

Jo, I think you hit the nail on the head. WHen one, like me, who

hates to go to the doctors, actually makes an appointment and goes to

the appointment, and comes out feeling *less* hopeful than one did

upon going in, it is awful. THIS is why I hate to go to the doctors!

This sort of experience has been an ongoing, repeat performance in my

life. Honestly, I have had 2 good medical experiences in my life - Dr

K and my midwife.

For now I have formulated my own plan to get better.

hugs, cindy lee

> Lee

>

> Wow...how awful it must have felt leaving the Hema's office without

> the hope that you would be feeling better REAL soon. I understand

> how hard it is when your feeling so bad to actually pick up the

> phone and make an appointment. But you have to keep fighting to

> feel better.

>

> Tell you what...If you can get your butt to Bakersfield, I'll pick

> you up and take you to Delano for your infusion, that way you won't

> have to drive yourself. Date's I'm not available are July 9th and

> July 14-18 so just plan around those dates.

>

> If you don't feel like you can swing the flight to Bako then at

> least see if the hema will call Dr. K and discuss the need for an

> infusion. If the Hema won't do that then find a new one.

>

> One other option...I would discuss with Dr. K's office the merits

of

> walking into an ER to get treatment and have them call Dr. K.

>

> In the mean time, make sure your taking oral iron.

>

> Hugs

> Jo

[Guest guest]

> WHen one, like me, who

> hates to go to the doctors, actually makes an appointment and goes

to

> the appointment, and comes out feeling *less* hopeful than one did

> upon going in, it is awful. THIS is why I hate to go to the

doctors!

> This sort of experience has been an ongoing, repeat performance in

my

> life.

lee,

You are experiencing a self-fullfilling prophecy! You expect a bad

experience, and you have it. Don't let it happen. Ask questions,

take responsibility for your healthcare. Ask her " why " am I feeling

so tired, " when " can I expect to feel better? If she doesn't know,

she will tell you so. If you don't ask, she can't mind-read, okay?

You aren't getting the full experience with the doc! lol

Let me share something with you: SOAP. Subjective: what you tell

her. Objective: What she sees or measures (physical exam, labs,

exrays). Assessment: a list of possible things that could or are

wrong. Plan: THis includes medicine (ie iron), Patient EDUCATION,

tests to be ordered, therapy, referrals, next follow-up visit, etc.

Marta

I really need to get back to work!

[Guest guest]

((hugs)) That sucks. I tell ya... I would go with Dr. K's advice

over the hema guy. I know it's hard when you have to medically

advocate for yourself. You want to just go in there and have

them " fix it " ... Hard when you don't agree with the dx or treatment

plan. Gotta still fight for what you know is right though... even

if all you know is " something is wrong " .

I hope you are able to get it all figured out. You can do this.

You know something is wrong... don't give up.

Hugs,

--Kym

> Hi Friends,

>

> I am so discouraged - so I may get long and whiney! For months I

> have felt extremely tired - told myself I was just lazy, passed out

> and told myself I was just hungry, didn't have the energy to do

> things I *like* to do and told myself I was depressed, felt dizzy

and

> told myself I needed coffee, etc. etc. Finally I go get my labs

> drawn - MCV, MCH, TIBC, UIBC, Iron Sat and Ferritin levels all

> indicate anemia! Ok, I am thinking I am not lazy, hungry, depressed

> or in need of coffee, I am anemic. I visit with Dr K and he says I

am

> anemic and need some treatment - venofer is reccommended. I go see

a

> hematologist today and she says I am *not* anemic because despite

all

> the other indications/symptoms my hemoglobin is 12 so I can't be

> anemic. I just cried - literally. I don't trust myself to drive as

I

> am so dizzy and feel I could pass out. In order to get ANYTHING

done

> I need lots of caffiene and/or sugar. I must rest almost all

> afternoon - not sleepy - exhausted feeling. If I was employed I

would

> be unemployable unless they allowed afternoon naps and constant

> consumption of caffiene and sugar! I have gained 12 pounds since

> January - I am sure it is all the sugar and coffee I have to

consume

> to make it through the day. I have been completely compliant with

> multi vitamins and calcium, I drink lots of water, I eat tons of

> protein, I love red meat and veggies. I have a call into Dr K to

see

> what he advises. THe hema here says to come back in 3 weeks and see

> if I am any better. It is summer. I don't want to feel like this

for

> another 3 weeks!!! I am so discouraged.

>

> hugs, cindy lee

[Guest guest]

Lee, I am so sorry you're so miserable! I would have cried,

too! I also would trust in Dr. K more than I would any other doctor.

I'm glad you called him. I hope he has an answer for you.

Big hug!

Tracey

> Hi Friends,

>

> I am so discouraged - so I may get long and whiney! >

> hugs, cindy lee