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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be pissed at the doctors

27 replies

babyexhaustion · 12/02/2025 18:39

During my birth my iron levels where on the lower side so was given iron tablets and that if they didn’t work I would need a transfusion. My levels stayed on the lowish side but not enough to need a transfusion. I then lost 1.5l of blood during the birth. I was given iron tablets for after the birth to take. I then finished the course but was told that’s all I would need. Since the birth I’ve felt horrendous and have had every symptom of anemia. Doctor told me at my check it was because I had just had a baby. My friends kept saying how tired they were with a baby how much hair loss etc they had which made me think I was being dramatic and couldn’t cope. For 6 months I’ve cried over the fact I feel dead every day Ive been feeling so weak. I’ve struggled so much with having a baby because of how my body just has no energy or fight. I’ve felt like an awful mother who wasn’t cut out for this job and how were others coping and I wasn’t. I spoke to the doctor twice about how I felt and was dismissed and told I didn’t need a blood test. I then called my private insurance to see if they could sort the issue but they don’t do blood tests. 2 weeks ago I finally begged the doctor t give me a blood test. It’s come back as I have ferritin levels of 5 and I’m low on everything else. I’ve obviously got anemia and feel really annoyed and angry that it couldn’t of been picked up earlier as it’s ruined the 6th months of having a baby. I should have fought more for a test but everyone around me was saying what I was feeling was normal as a new mum. My relationship has also struggled as husband has had to help more when I can’t he’s self employed so not been paid when not working.

OP posts:
RandomButtons · 12/02/2025 18:43

It’s rubbish - I had similar after my second birth, so I knew it wasn’t normal new mum tiredness. It was a completely different feeling- like walking through thick porridge constantly. Took 12 months for someone to do the proper blood test for me.

Women just aren’t listened to enough.

SeaToSki · 12/02/2025 18:48

That sucks, your GP has really let you down.

But…well done you for pushing through as a mother and for not letting the GP get away with it any longer. Some people are ignored for years and you got those tests done even while battling the horrendous symptoms and parenting a very small child

I hope you can see yourself in this way and continue to battle for yourself in the same tenacious fashion going forward.

DrEggman · 12/02/2025 19:15

I was transfusion level after losing blood giving birth. The doctors talked about transfusing me then sent me home with iron instead. My ferritin was in my boots. It took me months to recover.

Springadorable · 12/02/2025 19:17

Did they not do a blood test before you left hospital? I lost about the same amount of blood and they kept me overnight and retested me in the morning to see if I needed an transfusion or tablets.

babyexhaustion · 12/02/2025 19:25

I don’t think they did a test before I left i honestly can’t remember as I was so unwell

OP posts:
Parlezz · 12/02/2025 19:28

You're not unreasonable. This is really difficult.

But I'm a little disappointed your thread wasn't about turning up for GP appointment drunk based on the way I read the title...

DrCoconut · 12/02/2025 19:34

You can buy ferrous sulphate OTC. Having had long term iron issues i honestly would self treat. Yes, it needs monitoring and you can have too much iron but it sounds like you have a way to go before you get to that point.

janeavrilavril · 13/02/2025 08:40

why didn't you just get iron tablets yourself?

babyexhaustion · 14/02/2025 00:39

janeavrilavril · 13/02/2025 08:40

why didn't you just get iron tablets yourself?

I didn’t know you could get them your self I only thought you could get iron type vitamins which doctors told me when pregnant wouldn’t be strong enough and I would need them on prescription. I also didn’t know I was iron deficient I had a feeling but everyone around me including doctors was saying my symptoms where post partum. I had hair falling out exhaustion weakness and many more which when talking to mum friends they all said they had too. Deep down I felt it was something more and likely low iron but couldn’t be 100% sure

OP posts:
ARingtoit · 14/02/2025 14:56

Make a complaint. Hopefully it will be picked up in an audit and then they will develop a policy around it. Focus on the future and how well you've done so far! Sounds like you've been through hell and your fight has paid off.

babyexhaustion · 15/02/2025 16:47

I’ve got a doctors appointment in 2 weeks and I’m worried they are going to offer me tablets instead of a transfusion. I’ve had tablets in the past and they don’t raise my levels up by much a take forever to do so does anyone else know what there levels had to be to have an iron transfusion.

OP posts:
Sajacas · 15/02/2025 17:05

You can get iron through your diet. First meal of the day 250 grams of beef liver cooked in butter, just eat it by itself. Next meal, as big a beef steak as you can manage with either a side salad, or a side of brocolli with butter.
Do that for a week, and see how you feel.

Hankunamatata · 15/02/2025 17:19

That's poor care. I was anemic frequently due to awful periods. Got sick of trying to get dr appointment each time so just ordered online what the Dr usually prescribed me. This one

To be pissed at the doctors
olympicsrock · 15/02/2025 17:23

What is your haemaglobin level ?

Hankunamatata · 15/02/2025 17:26

NICE guidelines. They should retest after 4 weeks to check progress of levels once starting supplements.
bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/ferrous-fumarate/#indications-and-dose

discdiscsnap · 15/02/2025 17:30

It's shocking isn't it. Also having low iron is often dismissed as nothing when actually you can feel really ill. I've had low iron for years (heavy periods) and drs kept giving me tablets stopping them then restarting when symptoms restart. A female doctor eventually said I just need to stay on them until my periods change.

I would consider putting a complaint in purely so they take you more seriously going forward and for other women facing the same disinterest.

discdiscsnap · 15/02/2025 17:31

janeavrilavril · 13/02/2025 08:40

why didn't you just get iron tablets yourself?

I didn't think you could buy 200mg without a prescription?

babyexhaustion · 15/02/2025 18:46

olympicsrock · 15/02/2025 17:23

What is your haemaglobin level ?

101 I seem to remember

OP posts:
Balloonhearts · 15/02/2025 18:49

Can you not buy the lower dose and double up? Wouldn't be strong enough but will still help while you wait for them to pull their finger out..

Allseeingallknowing · 14/04/2025 15:35

discdiscsnap · 15/02/2025 17:31

I didn't think you could buy 200mg without a prescription?

200 sounds a massive amount. Is it a misprint? I have just started a supplement at 20mg per day!

discdiscsnap · 14/04/2025 16:00

Allseeingallknowing · 14/04/2025 15:35

200 sounds a massive amount. Is it a misprint? I have just started a supplement at 20mg per day!

Edited

I have low iron levels I take 2x 210mg per day. Prescribed by the doctor.

Allseeingallknowing · 15/04/2025 16:56

discdiscsnap · 14/04/2025 16:00

I have low iron levels I take 2x 210mg per day. Prescribed by the doctor.

That’s a massive amount! I imagine they must be making a huge difference.

bakebeans · 15/04/2025 22:33

I would ask them to check
vitamin d too if they haven’t already

cadburyegg · 15/04/2025 22:44

You can get ferrous sulphate over the counter - just go into the pharmacy and ask for it.

cadburyegg · 15/04/2025 22:45

Posted too soon. Sorry OP that’s shit. Anemia is horrid.