...am I the doctor? (info on anaemia)

[Guest guest]

Re DIY healthcare

I'll post my reply here, since the info may be helpful to others.

Well done for keeping plugging away at getting things looked into

and resolved.

Here are some web addresses for anaemia I got information from.

There's a pretty good mumber coming on web searches luckily.

http://www.courier-journal.com/features/health/2003/11/he-front-

anaemia1113-13448....

http://www.drlockie.com/disease/anaemia.htm

http://www.fromemedicalpractice.co.uk/patientinfo/a/anaemia.htm

'Foods that Harm & Heal' (Encyclopaedic format on foods and

ailments) has a page on anaemia that I found useful.

There's been quite a number of threads about iron and nutrition this

year on the Smartgroups UK forum, by the way.

I expect you already know that tea/coffee with meals is supposed to

inhibit iron absorption and that fruit juice is supposed to aid iron

absorption. Do pick the brains of whoever you're consulting or will

be seeing.

There are also different types of anaemia.

While you're feeling like this, take things easy. Don't go running

any marathons!

Fibroid books sometimes have chapters about controlling the symptoms

via less invasive means. See Claire MAson's 'Coping with

Fibroids' chapter 6, for example. Also Carla Dionne's 'Sex, Lies and

the truth about Uterine Fibroids' chapter 5 - Treat the symptoms.

Goodwin, Broder and Drum's 'What your doctor may not tell you about

fibroids' Chapter 10. I expect some other books also cover it.

Keywords to look up and read on I'm pulling out of that latter

mentioned book chapter as I type, include:

Maine Women's Health Study

NSAIDS non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs

Birth control pills and fibroids

Progestins

Tranexaic acid

Progestin releasing IUD

___________

GnRH gondatrophin releasing hormone

Mifepristone (RU-486)

Raloxifene and Tamoxifen

Androgen therapy

Interferon

Here's a quote from the 'Coping with fibroids book:

(p 68)'Drugs have a role to play in the treatment of fibroid

symptoms. But most doctors at the moment do not consider that drug

treatments are an alternative to surgical treatments - though they

may be in the future. However, drugs may see you through to the

menopause, if you are near to it. Specialist heavy-bleeding clinics

may be particularly helpful with drug treatments.

(p 69)'Whether or not drug treatments are appropriate for you will

depend on your symptoms and your age, and on whether you ant

children. There are various drugs which can provide relief for heavy

bleeding. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. If one

doesn't work, talk to your doctor about trying another one. If you

want children, you may need to have the fibroids removed.'

'Always ask about the side effects of any treatment. If you want

children, ask whether the drugs could make conception in the future

more difficult. Ask whether the drug could interact with any other

drug or over the counter medicine you are taking. Check how you

should take it, and whether you should take additional contraceptive

measures.' (Marie-Claire Mason in 1997, Sheldon Press, London)

You are not alone in feeling this way Meg. Keep photocopies of

anything like test results or anything useful to pass on and keep

for yourself. Note down all kinds of dates and details whenever you

can, such as symptoms in the cycle. Don't make any assumptions about

anything! Try to be zen and keep a sense of humour, despite the

circumstances.

Aztek