Help (again) !

[sporadicname]

Am regular and returning for more MNers wise words, but name changed as coupled with other info, it would be easy to be 'outed' in RL! Just realised that sounded as though this was going to be something 'interesting'

Basically posted a while back about having tiredness, aching and generally feeling under the weather, got results back to say it was anaemia, went on tablets and got some fantastic advice on here. Have been on the iron tablets for 6 or so weeks now and iron levels have returned within the normal range (lower end though)

However, I am still feeling really tired and achy and generally under the weather. Went to the Doctors yesterday who was wholly unhelpful and said to stay on the iron tablets for next couple of months and 'see how we get on'
My question is, should I still be feeling like this and what else should I be looking into or doing?

Thanks so much if you managed to read and understand all this.

Please help soon, as it is difficult to keep bumping my own thread and changing my nickname back after posting on other threads using my usual nickname

I know it is a relatively minor problem, but it is starting to get me down feeling so tired all the time and I just want to know that things will improve or if there is anything I can do.

I should also have mentioned that I am getting cold sores and ulcers.

Let me bump for you.

have you tried keeping a food diary to see if anything exacerbates it?

only ask as I went dairy-free when breastfeeding ds2 and I felt fabulous! my iron levels which always used to be low were the highest they've ever been.
when i stopped feeding him i started back on the dairy and immediately felt crappy again.

I think it might have always been making me feel a bit shit, but i was so used to feeling that way i didn't really notice until I cut it out

cold sores and ulcers.....are you run down? Stressed? Next step presumably will be to have your thyroid hormones tested? Or has that already been done?

Boiledegg, thanks for the bump

thisisyesterday, I haven't kept a diary as I hadn't thought about food, but as it is not a constant feeling perhaps I will start one. Had thought about food intolerance testing before as I have IBS. So thanks for getting me thinking about that.

LittleMiss, I don't think they have tested thyroid. Have done diabetes and coeliacs (sp?) and both were fine. I got the impression that now my iron levels have raised, albeit, to very bottom level of normal, and the last blood tests were clear that there is nothing else they are going to do and TBH I cam came out of the docs feeling really let down and as if I had wasted their time.

Thanks to you both for your replies, I really appreciate it

Did you tell the GP you had started getting cold sores and ulcers?

Can you see a different GP? And go back in 2-3 weeks?

Thanks Thingone, Yep, I did and Doctor just brushed it aside, as they did with my other symptoms, and said to get another blood test in 2 months!

I'm not an expert, I realise but I'm sure my GP told me to would take a couple of months to get my iron levels sorted. Not three and a half! sorry, can't be more help. Must be v annoying to be dismissed.

IIRC, it takes ages to top up iron reserves, a month just tops the blood levels up, a couple of months plus to top up the bone marrow etc.

Thanks Thingone and Fluffy, I am planning to leave it another month (not 2) which will take me to about 3 months) then if I am still not feeling any improvement, go back to the Doctors and try and push for more testing and get to the bottom of this.

Thanks all, it was good to vent a little. I just felt let down by the Doctors attitude, so it was good to 'talk' to people who actually 'listened'

Hi think I may have posted on your other thread about types of anaemia.
Anaemia is a symptom not a diagnosis as such,so you need to know the cause.
Causes in women of child bearing age is obviously post pregnancy/ childbirth/breastfeeding,or heavy periods.
The blood loss causes the iron deficiency anaemia.

That is a common scenario but there are other causes such as bleeding from the gut.

The tiredness may persist for a month or two after the iron levels have got back to normal.

Was your blood count normal[haemoglobin]?

hi i have been feeling like this and had tests done for thyroid and diabetes etc. I was basically always feeling run down, kept getting coughs and colds and mouth ulcers, was ridiculously tired and losing weight despite eating a lot.

I think mine is linked to stress as tests came back normal and life got a bit easier for a few weeks and i felt much better.

More stressed again now as potty training ds1 with disastrous consequences and feeling cack again with another cold too.

Are you stressed and taking on too much and not having any time for yourself? A couple of nights away helped me feel a LOT BETTER!

Hope you start to feel better soon.

Morningsun, heavy periods are a possible cause, but now my iron levels are rising, whilst still on the tablets, it doesn't seem to be an issue to the Docs anymore. And I think Haemoglobin was fine as Doctor said 'everything came back normal' and expected me to leave! It wasn't until I prompted her she admitted that my iron was at the very end of normal and it may not be my normal iyswim?

Egg, Don't think it is linked to stress. Although I am busy, I do get some time and DH does his share. Glad you have had a chance to get away though and it sounds like a good idea for a prescription, R&R!

Thanks again, it never ceases to amaze me that people will take the time out and care enough to respond to my, what seems minor, queries.