i need help

[OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere]

I know this should be in health but I am desperate

I just went to give blood

They turned me down because my hb is 9.5
I have never been aneamic before apart from when pg.

To me this means two things.

One is that I have let my DD down
two is that I have cancer and I am going to die after having to have terrible things done to me.

if i sound mad it is because I am.

9.5 is not that low and some people (such as me and my family, it seems) have naturally low iron regardless of diet. Mine is about that and I eat meat, spinach everyday, nuts and plenty of other things from the iron-rich list. Another important factor is to consume vitamin C, eg orange juice, when you eat these foods, to help with absorbtion, and limit your caffeine.

I am not able to give blood either which I'm disappointed about, especially as I pay attention to eating the right foods.

Now I am pregnant I have to take iron tablets but even with that my iron is only 10.2. However, no doctor has ever been worried about it so I don't worry either.

With your history, it can't be as black or white as 'not worrying' and I don't want to trivialise your feelings. I am just giving an example that low iron is not necessarily harmful or your fault.

Hi MrsDV. I'm the same age as you, and I'm going through the peri menopause. I had a blood test on Monday because the GP thinks I'm anaemic, and he said it is common for peri/menopausal women to become anaemic.

I can't give blood, I've had blood transfusions, but my 18 yo DD1 gives blood. She started giving blood after reading about Billie one night, she was reading over my shoulder.

So that's one more blood donor you can give yourself credit for.

I can't give blood because I received a transfusion after the birth of DS2. So I'd like to say thankyou to all you blood donors

If ever cried I would be now. I am so touched that so many people give blood because of Billie. How wonderful your DD does that santa please say thank you to her from me. I really mean it. What she is doing is so special to me.

(I am chortling a bit at my heartfelt posts to some of these very rudely named MNers )

Xmas my mw was going menkle when my hb dropped when I was pg. I think her panic has sort of stuck with me.

You lot are so nice.

Ah but at least you can call me santa.

Oh MrsDeVere (((hugs)))

Firstly, I'm anemic, mostly always have been, and it's definitely not cancer with me.

I bet you've been under a lot of stress and pressure (especially in your work environment given the current climate) and I can imagine life can get pretty tough at home - even with those beautiful babies of yours.

Point is, if you run yourself into the ground AND don't eat, then your pretty likely to be anemic. Surprising to say, but sometimes you have to look after yourself too.

And would Billie think you've let her down, with all the care you gave her and that FABULOUS garden place? I doubt it. I bet she thought you were the best mum ever. It is not your fault she got ill, please try not to hold onto any guilt.

You are lovely and you are brave, braver than most. And you will go to the clinic on Monday despite the fact that those places scare you senseless. Why will you go? Because of those lovely children at home, who need a mum who is healthy and a small check up on your HB is the best way to stay healthy.

I can only begin to understand the sense of panic you have, I get it too sometimes, but you can do this, you've faced far worse and are still kicking it about and swearing like a trooper on MN.

Stay strong my lovely xx

MrsD, when I had Sylvie-Rose I got 10 units of blood.( I had placenta accreta and a hysterectomy) So thank you to all those lovely blood donors like you out there and maybe some Irish lady read your threads about Billie and donated that blood because of you and people like you.

You have not let Billie down. I'll bet loads of other people donate blood after reading this thread who wouldn't have thought of it otherwise.

You do not have leukaemia. I agree with your friend that seeing the GP would not go amiss but it is not because you have a life threatening illness, it is because you have forgotten to look after yourself! You are a vegetarian ( good) with a crap diet ( bad!)

I rather like Bluey's nurse. Anyone who suggests chocolate and wine is a friend of mine.

So have some chocolate and
Why is there no chocolate emoticon?

Thank you sweetheart. I dont think I have luefuckingkemia (as I like to call it). Its more of a general, less tangible dread really.

I had a small cup of tea this morning instead of my usual pint (not kidding - I have a pint mug). I am going to have some toast and OJ now with some spatone.

I have been telling myself off for ages but its all a bit like self harming when you dont eat or look after yourself. Sort of punishment.

I can feel that I want to be well and healthy and I need to be strong phsically and mentally because I am a carer.

If I can get hb up with diet and spatone I will not be so worried. If it stays low I dont think I will cope at all.

But thats for later I suppose.

Yes - why isnt there a chocolate emoticon?

Morning mrs DV x
I was at a pint of tea

Oh you poor thing. You just have so much to deal with - I can see how this would have been a tipping point. Those fucking chuggers, that fucking disease - and fucking spinach. Excellent for iron, tastes like the Devil's vomit.

I've had little bouts of anaemia all through my adult life - bad during pregnancies and I've needed iron supplements, otherwise I just eat a lot of steak (not an option for you, I realise) and platefuls of fried savoy cabbage and it seems to right itself. It has been a bit more frequent as I get older (am 45) and peri-menopausal - so that's probably what's going on with you. That and the crap diet thing. I'm trying to think what else is nice and iron rich and not a faff and I keep coming back to dark chocolate!

I have just forced down two slices of wholemeal toast and vegimite. Wholemeal toast is vile, I like cheap white bread that goes all crispy in the toaster!

I think I will buy some nice seedy bread today. I had my glass of OJ with spatone.
Sorry to detail everything in such a Katie Price way but if I write it down it helps a bit.

How stupid to get to my age and still be eating like a teenager. If DD was here I wouldnt allow her to faff about and not eat properly.

The DCs all eat very well. Its just so easy for me not too.

Kick up the arse time. I bet my bones are like a 90 year old's as well and that would serve me right.

Here, have a gentle arse kick from me.
On the back of your thread, I recruited two mums from DDs school to join me and empty their arms.
Guiness is good for anaemia. My Dad has hyposomethingorother, he makes far too much iron and has to have a unit taken away every couple of weeks.
Annoyingly there is nothing that can be done with it, so it goes down the drain.
He can't drink guiness.

Just seen this Mrs D.....{{hugs}}
How are you today?
Don't discount the heavy periods causing the anaemia. Just because this last af wasn't heavy,the other heavy ones could be having a cumulative affect (big word for my day).

How old are you? I'm in the Peri and just found out my iron is quite low...and I feel like shite most of the time. Explains a lot for me. xx

[shakes Mrs D V gently]

Stop being daft. I am vegetarian and I was very borderline for being allowed to give blood once. They cracked on because I am a rare blood group and there was a shortage at the time. I passed out and finished up not being able to donate for ages.

So better that they are cautious and you get it sorted and start up again later.

you could try granary bread, or, something that was suggested to me was the cobs bread rolls that have seeds over the top of them.

and peanut butter

I can't maintain my iron levels (heavy periods). I've been on iron supplements for 4 years this month. I can't cope without them. Within a couple of weeks of trying to give them up I am so tired I can hardly drag myself around the place. I have heavy periods, not cancer. Take care of yourself and you will be fine.

BTW, I was a blood donor too. I wanted to put back in the system what my mum took out when she had cancer and a bunch of operations. But I can't for a while. I will one day, when it won't make me ill.

If lack of iron wasn't common there wouldn't be a market for all the iron supplements. 99.999999+% of those people do not get luekemia - neither will you. Big hug. Try not to immediately think of the worst case scenario. Get yourself down to the doctors to get yourself reassured asap but DO NOT WORRY. Recently having a baby, veggie diet, stress - all lead to lack of iron. It's probably just chance that it hasn't happened before.

I had an appt to give blood this weds. DP told me yesterday that he's got his works Christmas 'do' the same day so I won't be able to give blood cos I'll need to pick up DD from nursery.
Oh well, I thought. I can give blood in the new year.
But now, having read this thread, i've told DP that I can't pick up DD cos i'm giving blood. He'll have to be late for his p* up.

I have just put on my mascara. Stop making me well up. STOPPIT!

Altinkum Well done for seeking help. That is SO brave. It will get tough but its the only way really. Hang on tight and you will get through.

Haha at Whattodoo's OH sulking because he will be late to his party. Blimey what time does it start if it clashes with the nursery run? Tell him how uncool it is to go to a party at 4pm!

I am NOT eating peanut butter. No way blueeeeggggghh.

Does all this mean I am officially reaching cronehood? What with the peri menopause and heavy periods and stuff? How fecking depressing. Here was me imagining I was young and pert. I suppose I have to face up to the truth innit?

You could always join our Peri Quiche/thread Mrs DV

Yup, come and join us Peris.

Yeah and we can talk about facial hair,and dirty dreams about Geronimo...ooo and forgetting your address at the Argos delivery desk...and excessive wind...and....and

OMG. NOOOOOOOOOO. I have put my Ramones T-shirt on today just to prove what a groover I am.

If the GP tells me I might be peri I will think about it. I am so going to be the maddest peri on the block. I am the sort who will be hoping to have a little suprise baby when I am 60!

Still menopause is better than fecking luefuckingkemia innit.

MrsDV - I've read lots of your posts about your wonderful daughter. As everyone else has said (I know the thread's moved on and am glad you are force feeding yourself vegemite!) you have not and are not letting her down.

What's more, for the first time ever I am going to give blood after reading this. So thanks x