What is wrong with me?

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Have been having very heavy and painful periods for ages. Finally went to the doctor and the blood test said I was anaemic (no surprises there) so have been on iron tablets for about 3 weeks.

Went for a transvaginal scan the other day which showed 'something' and am now waiting to hear if that 'something' is 'anything' or not.

But in addition to that, I've been suffering with really horrible dizzy spells for the past few days, mostly when I stand up or sit down.

I get a lot of headaches generally and one of the symptoms of those is a tingly feeling in my fingers and toes. Well I'm now getting that even if I haven't got a headache.

Not sure if these things are related are not. The dizziness is the worst - I feel really horrible.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Anaemia can cause all sorts of problems; chest pain, dizzyness, headaches, thin nails. It's because there's not enough iron to bind the oxygen to your blood. Fibroids can cause excessive bleeding, which results in anaemia. You should be feeling a little better after three weeks though, have they repeated your bloods to make sure you're absorbing the iron?

Thank you.

I've not been back to the doc's yet. Waiting to hear from the hospital about the scan. The dizziness is new - I've had dizzy spells before but not many. In the last few days I've had lots.

I think I had been feeling better generally though - fewer headaches than usual, which is good.

Are you taking the iron with vitamin c, eg a glass of orange juice? You need vitamin c to absorb the iron.

Waffly's right, they are absorbed better when taken with orange juice. I'd pop back to your GP. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause tingling feet but you could do with getting your iron levels checked again. Do you feel dizzy as in 'stinking drunk' dizzy or a 'little light headed' dizzy?

Will up the vitamin C immediately.

I had one bottle of lager last night and felt stinking drunk. Today I feel left of centre of the line between a bit light headed and stinking drunk.

I'd pop and see your GP. Tell him that you're getting a tingling sensation in your fingers and toes, dizzyness, headaches etc. It could be a migraine, it could be connected to your anaemia, it could be a vitamin deficiency but it's hard to say. Ask him to do a standing/sitting blood pressure check (he takes it when you're sitting, then another when you've stood up) to make sure it's not a problem with your BP. It could also be labyrinthitis but you do need to see a doctor.

Sounds horrible. I hope you're on the mend quickly

Thank you. He should be phoning today about the scan, so I'll make an appointment then.

Let us know how things are going. You could try taking some travel sickness medicine if you have some, this may help with the dizzyness.

Oh, and get up slowly. Move your head slowly as well, may help if it's labyrinthitis.

Thank you again. No travel sickness pills but am going to have a lie down soon, I think.

Take it easy x

Just wondering how you are, Remus.

LadyMary, with B12 deficiency the tingling can be anywhere. I got mine in my right arm, starting where a short sleeve would be, running downwards.

When I spoke to the GP she checked about 3 times that I was certain it was the right arm, not the left.

The dizziness could be due to the anaemia. If you're very anaemic iron tablets might not be enough and you might need a transfusion, my mum was/is very anaemic and needs regular transfusions as iron tablets weren't working.

Ah, interesting mikkii.

Thank you. :)

No word from the doctor or hospital re the scan yet, but am feeling far less dizzy today. Interestingly, dd1 was also complaining about dizziness yesterday, so I suppose it could be a bug of some sort?

I upped my vitamin C, so hopefully that will help. Is it worth me getting a tub of vitamin B pills, do you think?

That's odd. I don't meant to worry you but have you had your gas checked recently?? Vitamin B12 is different to vitamin B, they usually give injections for B12.

Gas checked a few weeks ago and carbon dioxide monitor (and dp and dd2!) all fine, thank you. :)

Oh, that's a relief! Hopefully it's a bug. Do get your iron checked again to make sure the pills are working.

Will do! Thank you again. :)

Update.

The scan has showed that I have a smallish fibroid.

I upped my vitamin C. I can tell that the iron is doing something because my nails are now better than they have ever been. I'm getting far fewer headaches too, although not sure if that is linked to the iron.

Am still getting dizzy spells at least several times a day though, and still the tingly fingers and toes. Periods seem to be once a month again, rather than twice a month but still heavy and lots of clotting.

I need to go back to the doc's, don't I?

Yes, please do go back and ask for repeat bloods. It's great that you're feeling a little better though. Don't let them take the 'wait and see' approach to your fibroid as it will grow if you leave it and it will multiply as well. I started off with a couple of tiny ones, a few years later my periods were so heavy I needed a blood transfusion. There's medication that you can take to shrink them now (called Esmya) so the earlier they sort them the better.

Thanks, LadyM. How nice that you were around to reply straight away.

No problem. I hope you're feeling more like you soon.

Thanks again. I'm still feeling very dizzy and spaced out today - it's at its worst when I go from sitting to standing or vice versa. Dp is going to phone tomorrow to try to get me an appointment. I'm reluctant to take any time off work, so hopefully they will be able to fit me into an evening one.