Blood Transfusion

[Flowerpower70]

I went to GP as past few months I've been having breathlessness and palpitations when exercising. I went for blood test on Saturday at 2pm then 4 hours later I get a phonecall from 111 to say doctor needs to talk to you. So when doctor rang they said go up to a and e immediately don't drive if you don't drive we will send an ambulance. I got there and they said I need a blood transfusion as my haemoglobin was 41 I didn't want transfusion as I'm very health conscious and worried about the infected blood scandal. So in the end I agreed and said OK and have had to have 4 units and an iron infusion. Now they want to know what caused the bleeding but I tried explaining that all my mothers side of family have iron deficientcy anaemia mum, grandmother sister, aunt and I haven't eaten red meat for many years. They asked if I eat 3 meals a day and if I live with anyone. Do they think I'm stupid? Or is this usual? Now worried I come across as some type of incapable woman! I'm a independent strong woman. They said I need a colonoscopy and a camera down but not what I want as would rather have a CT scan can i say i dont want cameras? Worried about infection as two people i know their relatives had sepsis after colonoscopy and gastropsy then had to have antibiotics and they got kidney failure and died. I have low white blood cells too leukopenia and netrophilna. So been put in side room to stop me getting infection. Bottom line is do they think I'm daft and need a hand hold as DH is now my ex and no kids only 2 step kids and nurse said have they started chemotherapy? wtf? What a crap weekend.

It's very unwise to refuse any diagnostics they feel are necessary. You can have them knock you out for the colonoscopy. You don't feel or remember anything at all. They just give a short acting benzo and when it's done you won't have any recall of it and may feel quite pleasantly woozy for a few minutes while you 'wake up'.

Please try not to worry and allow the doctors to do the best thing to help you get better as soon as possible.

The infected blood scandal was terrible, but nothing like that could ever happen now. All the blood products are treated and screened extremely thoroughly.

I'm so sorry about the bad things that happened to your loved ones after being in hospital. I have a couple of friends and family who got sepsis in hospital and died. Unfortunately it can happen. But please know that the vast majority of operations and procedures are successful.

Wishing you the best x

I understand completely that you don’t want any tests that feel unnecessary but you have an incredibly low hb and they want to look into the cause. It is much lower than iron deficiency anaemia usually presents.

The questions about who you live with and whether you usually cook for yourself, diet etc are usual hospital questions. They just want to get a sense of you, your support system and what ‘normal’ is for you.

You’re fairly ill so they want to check your support system and see if any people you live with have noticed anything different about you recently.

You need to look up BRAIN acroymn for medical decision. I’ve included a link to a leaflet on it below. I’m confused as to why they’ve started chemotherapy. Have they explain why?

Have you asked why your consultant wants specific tests rather than a CAT scan?

https://www.ruh.nhs.uk/patients/services/maternity/documents/Decisions_about_your_care.pdf

Op I’ve had cameras stuck up my arse and down my throat more times than I care to count, and not once have I had any single side effect or complication. A scope is the only way to clearly visualise the lining of your gut AND take biopsies, so please go with what the specialists suggest. I’ve also had plenty of scans of different types too, the type of investigation depends on the type of thing they want to see, and what works best. It may well be that scans will be required too, but one does not replace or equal the other.

What you are describing is a serious concern, and something must be causing these major abnormalities in your blood work. You need a good work up and possibly/likely treatment for whatever the issue is. I don’t think they are thinking you are a stupid woman op, they just need to really understand your daily life to rule in and out possible factors in you being this poorly. Do you have anyone that can visit and give you some moral support? There may well be a ward round later when your admission will be discussed by the team and yourself. Ask the nurse if this is likely to happen, if not then ask to speak to one of the Drs, as they need to explain to you what they are considering as possibilities. Hopefully this can at least give you an idea of what they are worried about specifically.

To the previous responder, I think the nurse was likely assuming that op has recently had some sort of chemotherapy, as this is generally the most common cause a person to become neutropaenic and require admission. Other conditions can cause it too though, and this is what they want to investigate.

Ah, I thought the OP was saying they have started chemo and I couldn’t understand why they do that in this situation!

Your Hb was dangerously low. Being that low can cause arrythmias and death. I'm glad you had the transfusions.

Do they think I'm stupid?
To ask about your diet is very normal. They also likely asked about heavy periods and any other sources of bleeding- again, very normal. You have a strong family history of anaemia, yet you haven't eaten red meat for years! Were you taking iron supplements, other iron rich foods and having your blood checked often?

Do you have any family/friends for support and to talk to? Scopes are extremely common and to get sepsis from one is extremely rare. You can refuse any treatment you like, but as a clinician, I'd be seriously concerned about your capacity given how low your Hb was and you are also neutropenic. This isn't just 'a bit anaemic', you might have a serious illness going on OP. Have they explained their concerns to you?

I'd suggest writing out a list of worries you have about having the scopes and ask to sit and discuss them with the Dr/ward sister etc.

Do you know why you have neutrophilia

Please take the advice of the doctors @Flowerpower70

these procedures are not offered lightly and unless they are for your benefit. I hope you do and are on the mend soon.

Hi Op, I’m sorry you are going through this.

I had exactly the same scenario with same numbers and was also treated as an emergency.
The levels are very dangerous.

My cause was unbelievably heavy periods, they will need to find yours, that’s what the questions are about.

Why would you rather have a CT scan? (Radiation)

Usually it's because it's less intrusive and doesn't require any sedation

I live with neutropenia and leukopenia, my level of neutrophils usually hovers around 0.3
medics do tend to presume I’m on chemo, and I always have a side room, don’t wait in a&e reception etc

Gosh I have know so many people who had had colonoscopy and I have never known anyone with sepsis - you have been unlucky

The risks of sepsis with colonoscopy and gastroscopy are quite low versus the risks of you have an underlying condition causing your blood results. They are very abnormal so you need diagnostic tests to find the cause. I don't think they think you're daft, but remember they don't know you and are just trying to find out the bigger picture of diet, lifestyle etc.

A CT scan will not show the lining of your bowel etc or upper GI tract as clearly as a scope and therefore aren't the most accurate diagnostics they can provide.

Thanks for the link. Sorry for the confusion I should have said a nurse came in to check my temp and said have they started you on chemo yet.? So I asked and she said oh the haematologist will talk to you. So I was left a bit ?!?!

Oh I understand thanks so much for explaining. Much clearer now

Thank you. Thinking of the bigger picture, youre absolutely bang on! They don't know the bigger picture thank you for clarifying

No they havent said i asked and they said the haematology consultant will discuss with me

Oh thanks for explaining! Do you have medication? Is there a cause? 💐

I'd wait until you've seen haematology, have you noticed any bleeding. They may want to do more tests which may not be any scopes. Hope they find the cause and you feel better soon.

They haven't seen me yet they said they would but haven't. The pharmacist talked to me today so is that a sign i might be able to go home? I will see what they have to say.. 😊

Noticed no bleeding at all. None from bowel cough or upper stomach.. periods are usual for me. Not overly heavy

I do, I inject a medication called GCSF weekly
mine is autoimmune

No bleeding no problems eating or swallowing
No blood on stools No symptoms at all

No bleeding no problems eating or swallowing
No blood on stools No symptoms at all