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Pregnancy

Feeling crap and anaemia

19 replies

allisgood1 · 05/03/2014 21:29

I went to physio today for a migraine treatment and he took one look at me and said "you're anaemic". He then told me off, said I look "very unwell" and "need to take care". I don't know what to do. Go to dr? I am not seeing consultant until 16 weeks (3 more weeks) but I feel vile. Apparently anaemia can make you feel sick (check) and exhausted (check). I am finding things like getting up to go to the toilet very trying (I need to rest after)...I just feel so shite and can't see a way out.

I'm not able to stomach my prenatal vitamins at the moment so have been taking double dose folic acid and thats it. It I remember correctly from previous pregnancies, the iron tablets they gave me weren't very effective and it took weeks to feel any effect. Does anyone have any suggestions for what I should do? What to take (other than ferrous sulphate)? Do I see my GP? Call the midwife?

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Writerwannabe83 · 05/03/2014 21:55

I was diagnosed as anaemic following my 28 week bloods - my Iron level was11.7 before pregnancy and had dropped to 9 which my MW said was quite severe. I was showing symptoms similar to yours, shattered and breathless all the time.

I was started on iron supplements (ferrous fumerate, not sulphate) and prescribed 2 tablets a day. I was quite naughty though and only took one a day because I was too worried about getting constipated and having piles etc. My bloods were checked a month later and my Iron levels had risen to 10.7 which my MW said was a good improvement but ideally she wanted me back up towards 11.

I decided to just bite the bullet and start taking 2 tablets a day like I was supposed to and I have actually been fine. I'm not opening my bowels as often as normal but I'm not actually constipated and certainly haven't had any piles.

I went back to have more blood tests done today to check my levels again and my results will be back on Friday.

I have to admit that I do feel much better since starting the supplements - I'm no longer needing to nap in the day and just generally have much more energy.

There are iron supplement drinks you can purchase over the internet (called Spatone) but I've heard that they aren't strong enough at all to actually address anaemia.

If I were you I'd make an appointment to see your GP and take it from there.

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smearedinfood · 05/03/2014 22:01

Go to your GP. I was a 9 and am feeling better and looking a lot better after a week of iron tablets.

I disagree with you being told off though.

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allisgood1 · 05/03/2014 22:02

Thanks writer. How long did it take for you to feel an effect? I am so desperate to have a little light at the end of my (very dark) tunnel!

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allisgood1 · 05/03/2014 22:04

Cross posts smeared. I think I can handle a week (as if I have a choice!).

He was just telling me off because he cares (he's been my physio for 2.5 years), and maybe I do look bad (if I look as bad as I feel I am NOT a sight to be looked at) still think its just lack of makeup

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smearedinfood · 05/03/2014 22:46

Can see your point with makeup. Still looks like I'm painting brown on my face but my dark circles are fading. You'll feel so much better with some iron in you - stairs will no longer be the enemy.

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Monkeybrain10 · 05/03/2014 22:53

Definitely go to the Dr...u need more iron! I've heard good things about floradix ...u can get it in health food shops. I got on ok with the ferrous sulphate tablets but i've heard floradix is easier to digest. Get well soon!

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idlevice · 05/03/2014 22:56

The absolute best iron supplements to take are those which have iron in haeme form as this is the type that is most easily absorbed - something to do with it being the same format as in meat. They are expensive but you could take them as a kick-start. Do keep an eye on this as being anaemic at delivery can make the detrimental effects of any blood loss worse.

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Writerwannabe83 · 06/03/2014 09:03

I actually started feeling better quite quickly allisgood - definitely within a week of taking them. As has been said, it's really important you get on top of anaemia for the good of you and baby. When my sister was pregnant she ignored her anaemia, didn't take her prescribed medication and got quite poorly after the birth and needed a blood transfusion. Her Iron level was 7 by the time she went into labour and that's seriously low.

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squizita · 06/03/2014 10:11

See the GP for a proper diagnosis. Only reason I say this is for various reasons I 'look' more anemic than I am (dark circles etc') and various alternative medics have told me over the years. Turned out to be something else, but all good as I got the right suppliments once the test was done.

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allisgood1 · 06/03/2014 10:15

My blood test results 3 weeks ago were 11.7 for iron. All other counts looked good. I am worried its something more sinister now...

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smearedinfood · 06/03/2014 11:54

Have you booked an appointment with your GP?

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allisgood1 · 06/03/2014 13:36

2:20 this afternoon

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allisgood1 · 06/03/2014 15:11

Well that was the BIGGEST waste of my time. Apparently, Im "not anaemic" given that my bloods were normal 3 weeks ago. "Im pregnant" and should "deal with it". Angry beyond words. Why are some GP's so dismissive?

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MummaSmurf1 · 06/03/2014 19:06

I had same response from doc. She looked at the blood taken at booking in (I was about 8 wks) and said iron is fine. Thing is, I was sat in front of her at 19 weeks then. When I said but that blood was taken along time ago she scoffed at me and said "well you're very early in your pregnancy I doubt it's changed" IMO there's a bloody big difference between 8 and 19 weeks!
Anyway she begrudgingly gave me a blood test and in fact my iron had dropped loads, not anemic but was significant drop. I take tablets from the supermarket and feel great - I really feel it if I forget to take one.

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Misty9 · 06/03/2014 19:14

I've been taking floradix as I was borderline anaemic at 28wks bloods (10.7). I think you could probably take it just to increase energy? It is fairly common to be breathless and dizzy at your stage in pregnancy as the blood volume increases and lowers (?) your blood pressure. Mine is always low and I remember feeling awful in the first trimester - apart from the terrible nausea. Try not to get up too quickly from sitting and make sure you're eating enough too :)

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allisgood1 · 06/03/2014 21:16

Interestingly I took my blood pressure at the surgery and it was 99/53. Thinking that isn't helping. At booking it was 83/54. I have forced myself to restart the prenatal vitamins tonight so hopefully that will get me feeling better.

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Misty9 · 06/03/2014 22:45

That's low, so definitely wouldn't be helping. Another thought, are you taking lots of antacids like tums etc? I was popping them like sweeties at that stage, then I discovered that they inhibit the absorption of iron.. heartburn or feeling knackered? The joys of pregnancy!

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smearedinfood · 07/03/2014 19:50

I think my body is a bit crap at absorbing iron and at times I've really had to push to get tested with doctors and sure enough I'm anaemic when the results come in. Can you go back? Or maybe pop some spatone in some juice twice a day and see how you go...

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McBaby · 07/03/2014 20:33

I have similar issues iron is low but not too low abd v low BP and vitamins make me vomit! so feel exhausted , can't breathe and v dizzy . Over last 2 weeks I have taken spa tone and eating lots of iron rich food plus salty food abd lots if water to try and increase BP and I feel nearly human it's amazing!

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