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Original poster

To ask if Anaemia can really make you feel this bad??

31 replies

PuppyChoos · 18/03/2020 07:41

I suffer with chronic anaemia. Last time I was tested my levels were 9. They have been 6 in the past.

Dr says this is what is causing my following symptoms ...

Absolute exhaustion. I’m constantly tired, constantly struggling. I get out of breath and shaky just walking up the stairs. I literally can’t be arsed to move.

Hangover every morning. I wake up every morning feeling like I’ve been on a massive session the night before. Headache, muscular pains, ridiculously groggy where I lay on the couch feeling like I can’t possibly go to work. Dizzy, nauseated, absolutely, utterly exhausted.

Funnily enough I feel better in a morning if I do actually have a drink the night before!!???

Can anaemia really cause all this?

OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 18/03/2020 07:44

Yep! I ended up nigh on narcolpetic and whimpering with pain!

B12 injections (i have pernicious anaemia) make a lot of difference as does managing my diet and alcohol intake - I also have ME/CFS, that's a really fucked up combination.

But yes, anaemia really can be the cause of all of those symptoms!

What is the cause of your anaemia? What has your GP offered as treatment?

IndoorWeather · 18/03/2020 07:44

Mine are 10 at the moment and yes, I feel like death warmed up. Not so much the nausea, but the utter exhaustion, grogginess, muscle pains etc.

Sympathies. It’s foul. Mine is from insanely heavy periods. Do you know what’s causing yours?

IntoTheUnkown · 18/03/2020 07:47

Yes, speaking from experience. Make sure that your B12 levels have also been checked.

LynnSchmob · 18/03/2020 07:49

Yes it can. But make sure you get to the bottom of what is causing this.

Original poster
PuppyChoos · 18/03/2020 07:50

Mine is ferritin deficiency.

I am a binge drinker (currently in AA equivalent) but I only binge 4 nights a week. I feel worse when I don’t drink the night before so I’m worried I’ve developed a physical dependency.

I’ve been given ferrous sulphate to take 3 times a day. How long before they kick in?

OP posts:
SpiltMilk100 · 18/03/2020 07:52

Mine at the lowest have been 4 and I felt like death warmed up. Worst I've ever felt in my life. It sucks.

SpiltMilk100 · 18/03/2020 07:53

Oh and I'd say took maybe 2-3 weeks before I felt noticeably better.

BillywigSting · 18/03/2020 07:54

It absolutely can. Before I was on hormonal contraception my periods were insanely heavy and I was anaemic. I felt absolutely horrendous with all of the symptoms you listed. If I wasn't sleeping I was short of breath and in pain.

Lowest mine has ever been is a 6 too after ds was born. There are photos of me from then and I look like a waxwork.

Sexnotgender · 18/03/2020 07:54

Yes definitely. I was anaemic when pregnant and struggled climbing stairs.

TimeIhadaNameChange · 18/03/2020 07:56

I have birth two weeks ago. Lost 2 pints of blood and though I was given iron tablets at hospital they didn't give me any on discharge. I felt exactly as you describe until my midwives sorted something out.

I have F Fumerate tablets and they kicked in almost immediately.

user1471546851 · 18/03/2020 07:57

Mines regularly down to 2 and I feel like death.
I have low ferritin iron b12 and folic acid
I'm on b12 10 weekly pernicious anemia also
Iron tablets do nothing for me as my body doesn't absorb them so I have venifer or ferenject transfusions every few weeks and I take folic acid tablets.
But when it's down so low my body feels battered!

Mrsjayy · 18/03/2020 08:05

I am folate deficent(sp) i started folic acid 2 weeks ago I am starting to feel a bit better , i just felt rotten before sore legs no energy and generally bleurgh , so yes it can make you feel that bad.

opticaldelusion · 18/03/2020 08:05

I had weird symptoms when my ferritin was low - lump in my throat and pica. No tiredness though.

Mrsjayy · 18/03/2020 08:08

I had no concentration my mind was wandering, this week ive noticed I am more focused,

Onemorehitandillcrumble · 18/03/2020 08:12

I’ve been given ferrous sulphate to take 3 times a day. How long before they kick in?

I advise you to get some fybogel. The constipation these can cause is horrendous. But yes, anaemia causes all those symptoms. I do think you need to have a chat to the GP about your drinking though, as there is a link to anaemia & alcohol consumption. Take the tablets with orange juice to help with absorption. It could be a couple of weeks before you feel a lot better, it depends.

I hope you feel better soon.

Original poster
PuppyChoos · 18/03/2020 08:21

GP referred me to alcohol support. I had my first session on Monday and am there again next Monday

OP posts:
BubblyBarbara · 18/03/2020 08:23

Yes. For me I took action when my toes started to go numb. Turned out to be B12, went the sublingual route and was mostly back to normal after a few months following a slow decline over two years. Very glad I got this resolved now

CuriousaboutSamphire · 18/03/2020 08:24

I am a binge drinker (currently in AA equivalent) but I only binge 4 nights a week. I feel worse when I don’t drink the night before so I’m worried I’ve developed a physical dependency. So that alongside Funnily enough I feel better in a morning if I do actually have a drink the night before!!??? should be ringing alarm bells in your head!

DO NOT let that perception derail your attempt at sobriety. It is not a good enough excuse! Excessive drinking can both increase and decrease iron in the liver or heamoglobin. It is adding to your anemia and to your lethargy and all those other symptoms.

Keep going, it will be worth it when you are dry and well!

Original poster
PuppyChoos · 18/03/2020 08:25

I’m determined to get sober. I’ve had enough of looking and feeling like shit ☺️

OP posts:
Gwynfluff · 18/03/2020 08:29

I get very tired and more susceptible to infection and have restless legs even when mine is borderline - so around 11.

Also at this point in the year Vit D levels have normally bottomed out

Fatted · 18/03/2020 08:29

Yes it can cause all of those problems. Please make sure you get to the bottom of what is causing your anemia. If you have an alcohol problem, you could have an ulcer or stomach issues preventing you from absorbing iron.

LizzieSiddal · 18/03/2020 08:35

My Dr told me to have a small glass of orange juice with each tablet.
The Vit c in the juice means all the iron in the tablets is absorbed straight away, and you won’t get constipation. It works really well.

Caramel78 · 18/03/2020 08:37

Lowest my ferritin levels have been were 9. They are currently around 30 now after taking ferrous fumarate for 2 months. I do feel a little better but still very tired, bit dizzy, hair falling out, leg pains etc (just not as horrendously bad as when my levels were 9). GP said that levels need to be 50 minimum to feel somewhat normal again. Levels of 70 minimum are needed for hair to regrow properly. A person with high energy and feeling great would have levels of 120 and above.

ABingThing · 18/03/2020 08:56

Yes, and it's awful. Another one with pernicious anaemia and B12 injections. I've just missed my latest B12 because I'm having to self-isolate with a cough. Desperately hoping I'll be able to get it the day after SI finishes because I'm next to useless right now.

Good luck with getting sober Smile

Onemorehitandillcrumble · 18/03/2020 09:29

Well done OP, glad you have had that discussion and are getting support Flowers