Anemia issues + more... I am going to do it

Yes, I have come to the place that I want to have a hysterectomy. I have had a horrible two weeks. One was caused changes in medication, but the other more prominent one is Anemia.

With all this talk of the H1N1, I had to weight carefully the symptoms I was having. Here they are:

• fatigue
• fast and irregular heartbeat with any exertion
• shortness of breath ( this was bad)
• headache
• dizziness
• cognitive problems
• cold hands and feet
• staying in bed and sleeping most of the time

I went this week to see my doctor and he said sounds like severe anemia and started me on 900mg of iron and vitamin C. I will know the results for sure on Monday. I had my period through all this which led me to believe this was anemia. This had been the worst I have ever felt. I thought I would die a few times. I am slowly getting stronger........but it is slow.

I talked to the doctor about having a hysterectomy and asked some questions. It would solve all my problems. Prolapsed uterus, heavy bleeding, anemia, bladder issues of leaking urine and wearing a pad every day.

I got more serious about this when My mom started having more problems with her Prolapse uterus. It is coming out of her body. I went to a Gyno with here and she has only one option, a pessary.

She is in her eighties so what else could they do. I realized I did not want to have these problems when I am her age. It's time to do it while I am young. I have made an appointment with a gyno I have seen before. I will ask lots of questions and may get a second opinion if I don't like her answers. LOL Basically I want a good surgeon. I would like to have a LAVH.

So here I am waiting to recover from this anemia and on to preparing for future surgery. I am here to talk with others and do some research. So you will see me around more.

Thanks for listening to my long story.

I have the same issues... I have no mom or sisters or brother's wives to talk to. I though all this neverending bleeding and clots was normal. Then my blood work in June revealed a hemoglobin level of 6.8%. I've been on iron therapy since then. Talk about a light bulb going off! Made an apt with my gyn, he did a saline sono last week and highly advises a hysterectomy. Good news is the iron will kick in quite quickly! You should start feeling stronger within a week. By one month, I was climbing the stairs like someone under 85 again!

I was ready as soon as the doctor suggested the hysterectomy. Now, I'm getting a bit nervous, but I think it's because I don't have all the answers yet. Since reading here and other sites, I realize I need to ask more questions.

Hang in there, you will feel stronger very soon.

Oh... one more thing. Go buy a bottle of Acidophilus tablets. For the first couple of weeks I took one with every dose of my iron. After that, one a day. It really keeps me comfortable. No severe stomach upset and minimal constipation issues. They will be your best friend!

Good Luck!

Thanks Shut........It's good to know I will improve quickly. Did you have trouble with the dizziness as well? Weird thing for me is i have been having diarrhea taking the iron. Highly unusual for me. Maybe I have the flu as well?


Looking forward to increased energy!

pblonde...

Iron can make you either constipated or give you diahorrea.. I was severely anaemic back in 2002 when my heamaglobin level was down to 6.. like you, I was unable to get out of bed, had headaches, felt dizzy and so weak and tired but the kind of tiredness that sleeping doesn't cure.

Remember that having a anaemia will weaken your immune system, so you're more likely to pick up colds and other bugs as a result.

I was on 600mg of iron a day regularly and take it less frequently now and I'm having a hysterectomy later this month, so this should help a great deal!

Stick with the iron and hang on in there... you will improve but it takes time for your body to build up iron levels again. Ask your doctor to check both your haemaglobin and your serum ferritin leves.. serum ferritin are your iron stores and should range between 16-150 (for women). Haemaglobin should be at least 12, so there's no wonder you're feeling so poorly.

Get well soon!

LW x

I ended up in the emergency room Sunday because I woke up in a pool of blood. I knew it was getting worse every month, but this happened even with a super plus tampon and 2 heavy duty overnight pads and I got up and changed every couple hours...

I have been weak and out of breath just walking across the room for about 5 years now. I kept hoping I could take care of this alternatively. But my blood count is 8, my entire uterus is lined with diffusive fibroids and one of them is 5 cm which is half the size of my entire uterus! I feel like death warmed over! So I was told this morning that a hysterectomy is my only option, menopause won't fix it either. I'm on the pill for the first time in my life to try and stop the bleeding, and he put me on prescription iron to try and build up my blood count. He has scheduled me for a hysterectomy in January. I'm supposed to have a couple more tests in a couple weeks to rule out cancer. I have never had surgery other than cataract surgery and I am scared out of my mind. My blood pressure which is normally 90 over 70 or so sky rocketed up to 170 over 80 today so now he's worried about that too. I don't like taking prescriptions, don't like any of this! I really need some support right now. But I know I can't keep living like this either.

Soxinski,

Thank must have been really scary for you... sending some hugs to help you through!

On the positive side, this means you are now scheduled to have all the tests and treatment you need.. it isn't nice having to take meds but I have to say that the pill really helped me with the heavy periods and other unpleasant symptoms of PCOS.

I'm having a hysterectomy on 24th of this month, so I'll be able to let you know how it all goes... I'm also a bit but I keep telling myself that I'll be a lot better once the op is over and done with and I can start working towards being fit and healthy again.

Being stressed out and scared will send your BP sky high, so try and relax and hopefully, it will return to to normal in no time.

Take care of yourself.

LW x

Oh girl you sosound like me, and very very similar stories. I too have severe anemia as well as a B12 deficiency. The whole sob, fast heart rate, weakness.etc WOW reliving me in your shoes. I will tell you it does get better and you have to know that. Having chronic anemia really does mess with your way of thinking and get so discouraged. I had the LAPH September 28th this year. I'm doing so very well. I'm actually back at work full time. Honestly the whole anemia side affects have been worse then the surgery itself. My first surgery ever and I was very very scared. I totaly understand how you feel..need to talk let me know..

Well turns out I was borderline anemic. Not as bad as we had thought. The symptoms I had were from the H1N1........go figure!

I went through 5 years of heavy periods,waking up in a pool of blood,bleeding thru clothes.I wore an adult diaper with a super kotex in it .I got so tired of taking iron,but I was so afraid of not taking it.I got so weak,I was afraid I would lose my job.I had a hysterectomy on Nov.5and I feel okay.I know I can heal from this,but with heavy bleeding I was in a downward spiral. had decided on an ablation,but 2 of the girls I work with had ablations,and both of them are back to heavy bleeding.One says the ablation worked for 2 years,the other only had results for about 9 months.I have heard that the bleeding is in your DNA-your uterus is programmed to do that.I am so thankful I had a hysterectomy,so I can get on with my life and stop the bleeding,iron taking cycle forever!