Recovery from blood loss - now period

[HeechulOppa]

I had a bleeding stomach ulcer last week, was in hospital for a week (came out on Monday). During my time in hospital my blood levels dropped from 130 to 83 but stopped decreasing after treatment. I was also found to be mildly anaemic.

Thing is, other than being given meds, I wasn’t given any real explanation as to what I should be expecting in terms of recovery. I asked what my blood level dropping meant and they said I’d lost a lot of blood but I don’t know how much that really equates to. I have absolutely no idea what to expect in terms of how long it will take me to feel better.

Since Monday I have been feeling very very weak, very pale and trouble keeping warm. I’m tired and dizzy. I have been feeling a little better but today I started my period and I feel awful again. My periods are quite heavy and I feel like I’ve gone back a few days - very wobbly, weak, short of breath after going up stairs, tired. No one brought up periods on terms of how they might affect me or anything. I know that if my blood levels had dropped to 80 they were going to do a transfusion. I guess I’m kinda worried my period will push me under that threshold.

Any advice of experience welcome!

I would call 111 for advice, if you are weak, dizzy and short of breath your hb may have dropped again. You may need another blood test. Has your ulcer complerely healed, did they send you home with medication.

Thanks blanket, my ulcer was treated successfully - clipped - and I was sent home with omeprazole. I’ve been feeling rough all week but today just that bit worse. I’m only short of breath when going upstairs but I’m all honesty that has been consistent since I came home now I think if it.

Did they not even give you iron to take home?

No, TheCanyon, apparently my anaemia was very mild

It doesn't sound like it symptoms wise. I'd be getting onto the gp asap.

You probably need your blood checked again. If it's very low you might need iron tablets or even a transfusion.

You sound anaemic. I wouldn't worry unduly about the menstrual loss unless you suffer from very heavy bleeding, but I would expect with your symptoms that you be prescribed iron tablets, I think a visit back to your gp is in order

Thanks everyone - called 111 and just waiting for dr to call back

Low blood levels are the same as anaemia. So your Haemoglobin was 83 which is anaemic. If your ulcer has been treated, and you're no longer losing blood, your body usually will sort itself out but if you are symptomatic, with shortness of breath etc as you say, then you may need iron tablets or iron infusion to help. I would probably ring the ward you were on and see what they suggest.

I remember feeling dizzy for a week after losing a lot of blood.

I've always had one instance where I dropped from 130 to 50. They had to transfuse me up to a minimum of 90 (was the standard I was told). I had blood transfusions. That sorts the problem out instantly. As far as longer term recovery, I'm not sure I have ever fully recovered energy to the same level that it was. Levels are good though.

I lost a lot of blood at childbirth and felt the same, was sent home with nothing. Called GP who said it takes 6 weeks to make a red blood cell so eat plenty of iron for next few weeks- red meat, green leafy veg etc. i did that and also took iron supplements and felt better sooner but it did take a few days I think. I remember looking at the stairs and thinking, I can't get up those!

Thanks everyone for your replies and sorry for not updating you! I ended up going to a&e on the advice of the dr and had some more tests done. My blood levels had risen up to 99 so they were happy I am recovering. Still beyond exhausted though - popped to the shop 5 minutes away on Weds and was pouring with sweat by the time I came back, had to sleep it off for a few hours. Same today where I went to visit family, was chauffeured there and back and still had to lie down for a few hours when I came home!