Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Dorothy on November 06, 2019, 10:10:37 AM
-
I went to the GP in the summer for very painful and stiff joints (been referred to rheumatology with suspected psoriatic arthritis, but am still on the waiting list for my first appointment there) and had some blood tests to rule out other stuff. Bloods came back normal apart from being 'very anemic'. He put me on a course of iron tablets (3 a day) which have just finished.
I didn't have any symptoms of anemia when I started the course, but I do now - breathless, giddy, out of breath after walking upstairs, arms ache if I try to brush my hair... I've rung up the surgery and have an appointment for another blood test in a couple of weeks and then a GP apppointment in a month's time, but I'm starting to panic. GP said if it didn't improve while on iron tablets then it could be 'very serious'.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to do a physical job (gardening) when I barely have the energy to stand up. While worrying about what 'very serious' might look like. I know you can't provide a solution - just really need to offload.
-
Hello Dorothy
I am not medically qualified in any way but I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, an auto immune disease ten years ago plus I have been treated for anaemia so you might benefit from what I've learned.
If you do have psoriatic arthritis which is another type of auto immune disease this could be impacting your iron levels in spite of the tablets. There is a condition called anaemia of chronic disease where, due to constant inflammation the body actually prevents iron circulating in the blood to stop it from feeding the supposed infection and instead stores it away as ferritin. In these circumstances blood tests will show low haemoglobin but high serum ferritin and you still have symptoms of low iron. The good news is that when your auto immune disease is treated and inflammation levels come down the body realises that the threat has passed and will allow iron to circulate in the blood. In the meantime anything you can do to lower inflammation will help and you may want to look at eating a more plant based diet as this is proven to have an anti inflammatory effect.
As I said I'm not a doctor and I encourage you to do your own research but hopefully I have been of some help.
Take care.
K.
-
Thank you so much for your reply. It's a relief to know that it might not be anything too serious. It's just the waiting that is so hard.
The receptionist has booked me in with a different GP so that I didn't have to wait so long - my usual GP didn't have a free appointment for two months. I'm hoping this GP might be a bit more helpful. The last two times I've seen my usual GP, he's muttered about possible bowel/stomach cancer causing the anemia, yet he hasn't done any tests (probably because I don't have any symptoms other than the anemia). Just wish doctors wouldn't talk about possible causes of symptoms if they're not going to test for those causes!
-
VitD levels OK?
Hopefully you will get some answers, maybe take a list to the appt.?
-
Yes, all my other levels are ok. Just taking months to get anything resolved, and all the time I'm aware that if there is anything serious going on, it's almost certainly going to be getting a lot worse during all this waiting!
-
Hi Dorothy. Have you been told not to take the tablets within an hour before or after eating food or drinking tea or milk? These three things stop absorption. Also taking them with a drink of orange juice or other vitamin c drink will help the iron get into your system.
Taz x
-
Dorothy try taking extra B12. Even if your level registers as OK a higher dose may help in iron absorbsion.
-
Dorothy it's appalling that any GP should mutter rather than discuss and 'do'. If you get on with this particular GP next appt I would switch if possible.
Let us know! If you don't feel OK after this appt. maybe have a chat with a Pharmacist, they have private rooms these days. Is there a leaflet in the box?
-
Thanks for your support everyone - it helps not to feel so alone!
@Taz2, I wasn't given any instructions by the GP other than taking 3 times a day, but the box said an hour before food or drink and no dairy, caffeine or eggs. I stuck to that rigidly, although swallowing them on an empty tum did give me tummy pain.
@Shadyglade, thanks for your advice, I'll look out a Vit B12 supplement asap.
@CLKD I'm hoping this GP will be better than the last one - can hardly be worse! He is the one who booked me in for one lot of blood tests and then told me to come back in a month for a second lot. When I went to see him after the second lot, he commented that the iron supplements hadn't made any difference. When I asked 'what iron supplements' he said 'oh, I meant to prescribe you some to take after the first blood test. Did I forget?' >:( I HATE blood tests, they make me really stressed and anxious, so I was hopping mad that I'd had a totally unnecessary one!
I have tried the pharmacist, but just get 'you need to speak to your GP'. :-\
-
:o. that is dreadful ! Obviously no bed side manner there then! I get referred back to the GP 'cos I'm on so much already but I have found one that will look at MIMMS sensibly as well as contacting drug manufacturers for advice.
-
My mother had bowel cancer and it was her "anemic" status that set alarms bells ringing. Within a day of having that blood test done, she was in hospital having a colonoscopy and this led to a diagnosis of early bowel cancer. Mum is 88 and that was about 6 years ago. She is doing great and is cancer free. It was the receptionist at the medical centre that thought mum looked too pale when she took my father in for his appointment. This led to the doctor doing a full blood count on mum. The receptionist effectively saved mum's life!
-
Hi everyone, just checking back in with an update.
I've now seen 4 GPs, had numerous blood tests and my iron levels are 'constantly improving' - according to them.
I, on the other hand, am feeling worse and worse. Breathless and achy all the time, but no one seems interested. I've just stopped the iron tablets, as they were giving me constant stomach pain and diarrhea and none of the GPs were remotely bothered by this, just said 'some people are more sensitive to side effects than others'.
I've bought myself some ferroglobin liquid in the hope that this might keep the iron levels up without giving me the chronic digestive troubles I've had on the tablets. Had the first dose with no tummy pain - we'll see what it does to the 'other end' shortly! But I am really worried about why I am feeling so ill - can't help feeling that if it's anything really nasty, by the time they find out what it is, it will be too late to fix.
Oh, and the joint pain that started all this? Still getting worse & worse, the rheumatologist (on the basis of looking at my hands and feet) said he doesn't think it's arthritis and now no one wants to know. Constant pain in one hip now, which is keeping me awake at night, but 'we all get these aches and pains as we get older' (I'm 44!!!)
-
Hi Dorothy,
Sorry to hear you're still struggling. Did they tell you what sort of anaemia do you have? There are different causes and iron deficiency is just one of them. Have you been tested for ferritin, transferrin and TIBC (total iron binding capacity)?
BeaR.
-
Hello again Dorothy.
I'm sorry to learn that you are still feeling unwell. I think a few of us have been told by our GPs that things are going well but somehow this doesn't translate to actually feeling better.
One of the best iron supplements is an otc product called Spatone. It is iron rich water which is easy on the digestive system. To further improve absorption I was advised to drink one sachet with orange juice every other day.
I wonder if your hip pain is a form of arthritis linked to your psoriasis? I think your only option is to go back to your GP and ask for more help. It can't be right that you are still suffering and it is your doctors job to arrange the correct treatment.
Take care and sending hugs.
K.
-
@BeaR I was told they'd tested for everything and it was iron deficiency anemia.
@Kathleen, thanks for the suggestion of Spatone - the liquid I've bought will only last a couple of weeks, so I'll look out for Spatone next time.
Yes, I'm sure the hip pain is a form of arthritis - I have all the symptoms, but because I'm not exhibiting any signs in my hands or feet, the rheumatologist didn't want to know! I'm at my wits end with this lot. I have another appointment with a different GP at the beginning of April (doesn't help that there is an 8 week wait for appointments, so it takes ages to get anything done) so I am hoping this one will actually a) listen and b) do something helpful!
-
Hi again, Dorothy
Thank you. What about kidney tests? Are you on HRT?
BeaR.
-
@BeaR they did test my kidney function in the first round. I'm not on HRT.
@sparkle pernicious anaemia has been ruled out. It was one of my thoughts as my mother has this, but they said no, it's not that.
-
It was one of the blood tests.
-
I had a telephone consultation the week before last with the rheumatologist who wanted to check I was 'happy' before 'signing me off'. I pointed out that since I was still in pain, with no diagnosis or treatment, 'happy' was not really the right word!
He said that the initial x-rays of my hands and feet had shown 'mild osteoarthritis, but nothing abnormal for your age'.
"Great. But the main problem is with my knees and my hips, as I have pointed out numerous times before!"
"Oh. Ok. Well if you're still in a lot of pain, I can send you for some more x-rays of your hands."
"I'd rather have my hips and knees x-rayed than my hands, since they are the bits of me that are hurting."
"Ok, I'll send you for x-rays of your hips and your hands then."
"Can't I have my hips and my knees done instead?"
"We can't just x-ray every joint in your body you know - we have to get a balance between gathering as much information as possible while protecting you from excessive radiation."
"I'm not asking for all of me to be x-rayed, just the two bits of me that are hurting. Why don't you do that instead of x-raying one bit that isn't hurting and that you have x-rayed 5 months ago?"
"Ok, so I'll request x-rays for your hips and your hands then."
:bang: :bang: :bang: :bang: :bang:
One bright point - I was expecting to have to wait months for the x-rays, but had someone ring me up this week and more or less beg me to go in for them the next day - apparently, they are having trouble getting people to go in for appointments because they are so scared of getting Covid-19. So I went...waiting room was plastered with posters telling us to protect the NHS by staying 6 feet apart...and the receptionists were working shoulder to shoulder while the seats for patients were 4 feet apart. You couldn't make it up, could you?!!
I wonder if I will hear anything back from these x-rays or if he will just decide that it's showing 'normal wear and tear' for my age?
-
Hi Dorothy,
I been reading your post, at the age of 44 (a year a half ago) I started having lots of pain too, probably mainly in my back lower, middle and upper back pain. I can have pain for months at times at the front ribs mainly right but can be left. Plus lower pain, it can be sharp but painful, or with my back daily but in the morning lower than seems too work it's way up.
Like you I saw my doctor many times, had X-ray on my lower back. But was shocked when they only did my lower back and complained to my doctor what about my upper back pain. So sent back for another X-ray. I understand your frustrations >:. They discovered degenerative disc disease in two places. Now six months and my pain wasn't getting any better. Back to the doctor, she referred me to rheumatologist for fibromyalgia. $400 later the rheumatologist ruled that out. She said my rib pain was my body trying to support my upper back. She sent me for MRI, which I managed to get through Medicare by having a 6am appointment, which I was happy to do or it was $360. My rheumatologist was happy with the results she said I had a slight bend in the back that I should not have from my cleaning job. And I should get back pain but not on a daily basis. She asked me to see a exercise physiologist. Now it's been a year and money is getting tight, but managed with the help,of my doctor to get three free appointments with a exercise physiologist, as I'm now classed as chronic as the pain been there for a year. Also appointment with a dietitian as I had IBS, and the rules is I had to see two different specialist? Which end up working in my favour.
I believe menopause started all my problems
I'm now three months later about 90% better. How?
Doctor- my doctor help me realise that my upper back muscles were weak. 6 months after having a hysterectomy (still got ovaries) all my pain started. My fault I?ll took don't lift anything more then 10 kilos too far for to long.
Exercise physiologist- I always did Pilates but started working on my upper back strength to.
Dietitian- pointed out that almond milk didn't have enough protein and my body was very lacking. After being told I'm now lactose intolerant (thanks menopause) I now have lots of lactose free milk, cheese and yogurt.
Slowly my body got stronger. Keep up with the doctors and specialist you never know when the right
information will turn your health around.
Something as simple as exercise and diet for me.
I wish you luck and please let us know how you get on
:bighug:
Lyncola
-
Hello ladies
Lyncola I'm pleased to see that you have found a way to ease your back problems.
Can I ask how your dietician diagnosed low protein? Was it from your symptoms or did you have a blood test? I gave up dairy some time ago and that has helped with my gastrointestinal problems but I obviously want to look after my bones as well.
Many of us need to change our diets due to the menopause so I'm sure other ladies will be interested in anything you learned from your dietician.
Wishing you well.
K.
-
Just a thought is your ferritin normal? i have haemochromatosis, and it doesnt bother me too much, but my 2 sons are almost crippled by it, one of them can hardly walk at times with a painful back and legs,and now told he osteoporosis
I have recently found out that even with this and high ferritin you can also have some kind of anaemia
I apologise if this has been mentioned re;your ferritin levels, but i believe it is a separate test.or used to be
-
They have tested that.
They don't want to do any more blood tests right now due to disease risk (not really possible to do a blood test from 6 feet away and they don't feel it's urgent).
I guess I will get there at some point. They keep saying it isn't inflammatory, because they can't find any signs on the blood tests, but I'm sure it is. The one thing that has helped is turmeric tea. I take one cup every morning and evening. Three times I've run out or forgotten to take it for a few days, and within about 48 to 72 hours, the pain is much, much worse.
-
Hi Dorothy,
No blood test, she work out I was low in protein just by talking to me, I might of complain about my back pain as well as my IBS.
I cut right back on milk when my husband started having almond milk. I'm not a cereal person so I just couldn't be bothered to buy milk for myself.
She was a very good dietitian, I didn't even had to do a low fodmap diet. From speaking with me she worked out what food to cut out and to start having lactose free milk. Only needed one appointment with her, because she sent me home with what to do, and come back if I still got problems. Best $90 I spent :)
-
I'm glad you found what helped.
I don't think my issue is due to meno - it has certainly got worse since starting the change, but the problem predates the first of my meno symptoms by years.
Don't think it can be due to weak muscles either, since I do a physical job and was in very good physical condition - it's just that I've slowly had to cut back as the pain has increased.
Oh well, maybe someday I'll have an answer!