Anemia

[stressheaderic]

Just been told I have this, after my 28 week blood tests. Been taking iron tablets now for 5 days, and gorging on steak, broccoli and Guiness virtually every meal...but no improvement, if anything it seems to be getting worse.
Am now losing feeling in my lower legs in the evenings, have almost constant chest pains, breathlessness, and can't stand up or walk round for longer than 10 minutes. Am also stupidly confused and muddled all the time, and keep forgetting the simplest things.

Feeling all stressed and anxious with it, as it's Christmas on Friday, my house is a tip, I have only bought half the presents...seeing as I can't even seem to get upstairs without collapsing in a heap, not sure how I'm going to tackle the shops!

Anyone got any tips or advice? Will it get better? Am I just feeling sorry for myself??!

You need to get this checked out to be honest, have you been to see your GP? Without meaning to worry you, this could also be a cardiac problem so it really does need investigating. What was your Hb level?

It was 9.8, having fell from 11.1
It's not incredibly low, which is why I wasn't too worried to start with, but it doesn't seem to be improving and I'm having 3 iron tablets a day.

9.8 is quite low. To be honest and to to be cautious, I really do think that with chest pain, breathlessness and the other symptoms that you have that you should be checked over as soon as possible. How long have you been like this? I really do think that you could do with going to A&E, and ECG is a really good idea.

Hey stressheaderic - I was diagnosed as anemic at 8 weeks pregnant - iron blood count was 3. I now take 3x Ferrous Fumarate every day. I can relate to most of your symptoms, which do seem to be improving after 4 weeks on the tablets. I still can't function normally - I'm knackered most of the time, can't read or concentrate, struggle with dizziness and breathlessness...but I feel MUCH better then I did 4 weeks ago!

Don't worry about the housework or the Christmas shopping. Just concentrate on looking after yourself and getting those iron levels up. If, however, you're still concerned about the numbness in your legs and the chest pains (or if they don't improve) you should call your GP again...trust your instincts!

Oh, and I don't think you're feeling sorry for yourself at all - anemia is very debilitating, especially in pregnancy. Hope you start to feel better soon. xx

Thank you - am off to the hospital (if can dig the car out of the snow!) this morning for further blood tests, so might try to speak to a midwife in the community office there, for advice. Tbh though, I didn't want them to admit me for anything this close to Christmas, have already had a few nights in during this pregnancy and don't really want any more until it's time!

It's just so frustrating - I'm usually such a busy active person, but here I am lying on the sofa having to let people do things for me. It's not too bad when I get up, it just gets worse as the day goes on, esp if I'm out and about (which I am trying to be, as still have presents to buy!)

i totally hear you - have been so useless at work but no one cares or understands
sob

Make sure it is not iron intolerance - that's how the tablets made me feel. I was functioning perfectly well with a blood count of 9.2 until I took them in last pg. Then I felt awful (nausea, constipation, horrible stomach pain, vomiting and tingling limbs) till I stopped.

Sorry to dredge up my old thread again, but I'm confused and wonder if anyone can shed any light?

I've now been taking iron tablets for over 4 weeks, meant to take 3 a day, sometimes just take 2 (or 1 on occasion) as they make me feel really sick and refluxy. The good news is my Hb level has gone up from 9.8 to 11.3 which I am really pleased about...the bad news is I feel no better at all, in fact, worse. I am absolutely wiped out, legs and arms feel like lead, could sleep at any given moment, and still very breathless all the time. Look awful and pale aswell. I'm off work sick so not even very busy but just going upstairs seems to tire me out.

What else could it be??!! So fed up of feeling like this...