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Original poster

Could i be anemic ?

29 replies

Pixielovescake · 12/02/2011 15:11

Hi i was wondering if any of you had any thoughs on this.
Im wondering if i could be anemic. Im quite pale (but always have been so not sure about that one)and im always tired. And i mean tired. I dont think i work that hard just the normal amount but by the end of the week i can hardly move, last night i slept for 11 hours. when i feel this tired i also ache all over as well which adds to the totally knackered feeling.
Im shattered today i sometimes take paractemol just to take the aches away (not often but if ive had a long week say).
Ive had a look at my eyelids but i cant really tell to be honest. Im thinking of going to the GP next week but i dont want to look silly !
Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Pixielovescake · 12/02/2011 15:13

Thoughts. Must learn to spellcheck. oops. Blush

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Original poster
Pixielovescake · 12/02/2011 15:24

Bump

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MrsSnow · 12/02/2011 19:00

I'd definitely go to the gp and ask for a blood test. I frequently have low iron and it can sometimes take ages to get it to a higher level.

Once you have your blood test then start eating more iron rich foods with things with vitamin c to help absorb it.

Original poster
Pixielovescake · 12/02/2011 20:29

Thank you. I think i might have to. I just feel a bit daft in case i dont. How silly is that ? And ive just had a look at high iron foods and to be honest i dont eat any of them. Thats really awful i had no idea , i actually thought my diet is quite good !

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kensworth · 12/02/2011 20:59

Go aNd get checked out anemia can be dangerous. Last year I ended up in hospital having 4 blood transfusions due to anemia. I was taken in with breathing problem they discovered anemia was the cause and my blood count was 2 should be about 14 it took a long time to receive. SO GO have a blood test good luck

kensworth · 12/02/2011 21:01

Not receive recover...... See it must have affected my spelling!!!!!!!!!!

Original poster
Pixielovescake · 12/02/2011 21:05

Kensworh :( that sounds awful. Are you feeling better now ? Can i ask if you ever felt achy all over ? Like when you re unwell im just shattered and i ache everywhere. Feels like im walking through glue today as well. Im going to make an appt as soon as i can i think.
Im not dizzy or anything really. Just feel slightly spaced out. Ugh its horrible.

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QuickLookBusy · 12/02/2011 21:13

Yes please go and get tested.

I had very heavy periods for a couple of years and just put up with it. It gradually got worse, and I didn't realise how tired and ill I was feeling. I did eventually go to Gp and she gave me tablets for the periods but also did an iron count,as she thought I was aneamic.

My blood count was very low. I have been on the iron tablets[taken with a glass of orange juice, for the vit C] for 3 months now.

I feel so much better, even my DH and DC have noticed a huge difference.

Don't feel silly about asking for a test, don't leave it any longer!! [gives Pixie a little push in the direction of the surgeryGrin]

EightiesChick · 12/02/2011 21:20

Yes, quite likely that you are. Go and ask your GP for a blood test to check asap. When I have been moderately to severely anaemic, I have been ever paler than usual and also extremely tired, having to go for naps in the day, at the worst even being unable to walk around town without stopping for a sit down. Iron tablets can be prescribed and after a week or so you will start to see a difference. Some people find they cause stomach trouble (not me) but if they do for you, the iron supplements in water like Spatone are supposed to be good. It will also help to eat more red meat in the meantime if you don't mind doing that.

kensworth · 12/02/2011 21:21

Thank you I am a bit better but am now stuck for life with tablets possibly more transfusion ect. Yes you can feel really achey and tired like you are coming down with a cold, wheezing, light headedness and oddly ridges on my finger nails!!!! Oh tremors are another thing so all in all bloody horrid please get a quick blood test just though feeling cold and looking like a corpse I to am really pale dead pele normally look healthier than me LOL

Original poster
Pixielovescake · 12/02/2011 21:21

Ahh thank you. I will go i promise. Shame it always takes forever to get an appointment.
Im still wondering if this is just how i am but i think it cant be normal you know ? I hope it itsnt. Its wrose after ive done a couple of days of working extra hard like it catches up with me or something.
Will they give me tablets straight away or insist on bloods first do you think ?

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QuickLookBusy · 12/02/2011 21:35

I am sure they will do a test first, but I got the results within 48 hours, so not long to wait.

Original poster
Pixielovescake · 12/02/2011 21:36

Oh thats a lot faster than i thought. Do you ever get that achy feeling ? Or shake a bit ? My hands are shaking today.

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EightiesChick · 12/02/2011 21:45

I thought it was normal for months and then found out it wasn't. Definitely go and get tested. Many women are anaemic, it's quite common so you are perfectly reasonable to get it checked.

Try and eat some meat if you can.

They will almost certainly test you first. Ring and play up how shaky you have been feeling. If they offer you a nurse appointment instead of a GP then take it - the nurse should still be able to arrange a blood test. If you really can't get an appointment for ages I would go to a walk in centre.

Original poster
Pixielovescake · 12/02/2011 21:56

Oh really ? Yes i will do that , i dont mind who i see really just want to be sorted. thank you all so much for the input !

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QuickLookBusy · 12/02/2011 22:30

Agree with Eighties, really emphasis how shaky you are feeling, it should make them find you an app quickly.

whoatethelastbiscuit · 12/02/2011 23:34

Agree with everyone, go get a test, anaemia can be serious. Like some of others I am (usually) severely anaemic, and only found out when went to doctors about heavy periods, never realised a lot of other symptoms I thought were just part of getting older were to do with it - breathlessness, lack of mental focus, aching joints, heart palpatations, as it had crept up didn't realise how shattered I was until things improved. It's usually quite easy to treat so not worth the risk.

Original poster
Pixielovescake · 12/02/2011 23:47

Right im convinced. Going to take your advice and phone up on monday. Will let you all know how it goes.
Thanks again for all the help and encoragement,

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Original poster
Pixielovescake · 12/02/2011 23:48

oh dear. Encouragement. Im going to bed now my spelling is demonstrating how tired i am !

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Original poster
Pixielovescake · 13/02/2011 13:01

Hi can i pester you all one last time ?
Im feeling a bit better today (combination of doing nothing and sleeping lots) but was thinking of going to the sit and wait tomorrow instead. But is supposed to be urgent surgery only , do you think this counts as urgent ? I dont want to take up a place for someone who might need it. and i will be in a rush because i have to go to uni tomorrow all day.
Thanks again !

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Original poster
Pixielovescake · 14/02/2011 13:12

Right so ive been. Doctor was a bit dismissive seems to think its related to me takeing prozac. Bloody knew theyd say that. Said i thought that was rubbish anyway did get a referal for tests, blood test booked for thursday. I hope something shows up because otherwise im
a. going to look like a neurotic idiot and
b. i will have to accept that its normal to feel like this.
:(

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kensworth · 14/02/2011 21:15

Bloody dr's!!! but good luck with blood tests hope all is ok. When I was taking Prozac it made me most odd so I guess it could be that. But better safe than sorry. Thinking of you x

Original poster
Pixielovescake · 14/02/2011 21:34

Thank you Kensworth.I am giving the prozac some consideration but i took it a few years ago without issue which is exactly why i was perscribed it again. However i suppose these things can change but i do hope not because i dont want to stop taking it either.
Hopefully the tests will show up something or maybe im just a bit run down atm. :)

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QuickLookBusy · 15/02/2011 08:07

You did the right thing in asking for the tests, you know how you feel, so it's best to be safe than sorry. Good luck for ThursdaySmile

EightiesChick · 15/02/2011 08:56

Yes, you're quite right to ask. As I said, anaemia is actually pretty common among women so requesting a test is not neurotic at all. It would be different if you'd gone in insisting on a test for swine fever or the Ebola virus! In my experience many doctors have a long-standing habit of being slightly dismissive so don't take this too much to heart - it's just how they are. You are not at all unreasonable to ask for a test to check whether or not this is about Prozac. Hope you find out something useful on Thursday.

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