In a&e anyone want to keep me company?

[katystar]

I’m having heart palpitations, shortness of breath, fainting and I’m severely anemic. I’ve had an ecg now waiting for bloods. ECG attached is it normal?

🤚🏼I can do a hand hold, I know how scary it is!! Have you got a partner/close friend who knows you're there??

no idea about the read out, sorry, but you're in the right place if there are any problems.

have you got a charger for your phone? If not try to be careful of how much battery you're using in case you need it later x

I’m alone and frustrated as I know I need iron transfusion and have since October but can’t get one so my only option is to sit it out in an and e. I have a charger and my work laptop so trying to get some work done to distract myself.

Hi, hope your wait isn't too long. Are you taking iron tablets if severely anaemic?

Well, you're in the right place. Your symptoms sound very tiring.
I hope you don't have to wait too long.

I remember your other thread. So still no iron transfusion?

@TheShellBeach Still no transfusion. It’s been cancelled 3 times. I’ve started on medicine for BAM and have been taking liquid iron in the hopes I get some absorption.

I've been several anaemic. Have you changed your diet to help increase iron absorption- vit C rich foods and avoiding tannins? When you say you are taking liquid iron, is it prescribed? What are your readings- Hb, ferritin etc?

@SM4713 iron is prescribed I take vit c tablets plus have as much vit c as possible and a very high iron diet. Hb is 57 and ferritin was 5 at my last blood test in October. I’ve also started colesevelam for BAM

Bless you, that’s way to low for ferritin, I’ve struggled for years to get an infusion and only managed to get one through health insurance but they said there would be only one. NHS said you need to be in hospital to get one through them, so stick to it and refuse to leave without them agreeing on it

My ferritin was 2 at my worst and I felt dreadful. Hb was higher though. I since read that anaemia can cause unusual food cravings. I used to crunch on ice cubes. I've even do a drive through to get a cup of ice! 🙄 Sounds bonkers now, but I didnt know I was sick. Have you any unusual food cravings?

I’ve been sent from a&e to the gpau.

With a ferritin level that low and those symptoms I would refuse to leave until you get an iron infusion. I do not understand for the life of me why they are so reluctant to give them to people, usually women! They’re not a particularly expensive option so it makes no sense. Good luck op and stand your ground x

You are definitely in the right place. I haven't seen your other thread but it sounds like you have severely low iron which needs to be treated and could account for your symptoms.

The top right notes on the ECG say that it is abnormal so you will hopefully get a full check up and get the treatment for your iron and anything else you need.

What is that?? Hope you feel better soon.

@katystar if I were you I’d be also asking if you need a shot of EPO which is a medication that increases your Hb.

GP Assessment Unit. So the results of the ECG can't be too abnormal if A and E have triaged you to GPAU.

Says at the top of the ECG result abnormal. Make sure they don’t fob you off!

I think the palpitations are shortness of breath are the anemia just got to wait for bloods. The ECG saying abnormal confused me.

Palpitations and shortness of breath are 100% anaemia. Especially with levels as low as yours. I’m not a doctor but I have experience of this. Also I’d be asking if it can cause the abnormal ecg results. Don’t let them fob you off! X

Bloods have been taken which take an hour but then the wait for a doctor to look at them. It’s going to be a long day.

HB is 40 so I’ve got to have a blood transfusion ferritin is t back yet.

Ooof that’s low. But I’m glad they’re taking you seriously and giving you blood.
My guess is your ferritin will be at almost zero.
Next step after this is working out WHY you are so anaemic. Have they ever suggested why or have you any ideas?

First bag of blood is running I’m trying to get some iron as well. It’s going to be a long night and I’m already bored.

Sympathies. I’m also in a&e with dd who has pulmonary embolism symptoms. She’s not been triaged yet, been here nearly an hour. Will be a long night.

i had one bag was meant to have 2 but been sent home as they don’t have a bed so going back in the morning for my second bag. Only bonus is I can shower and sleep in my own bed thank you everyone. I stilll need to get to the bottom of my ecg but will ask more tomorrow. I feel better than I have in ages so I’m hoping after tomorrow I’ll feel even better!