Anemia

Has anyone continued to be anemic AFTER surgery? I've been having headaches, restless legs, and higher blood pressure the past week. I'm now 6 weeks post-op and just wondering.

I needed a transfusion 3 weeks before my surgery because my hematocrit was so low.

Just wondering... I leave for Los Angeles Wednesday afternoon and won't be back until Monday late night. Wonder if I should call the Dr. before I go or just wait.

TC

Hi, TC...I have been anemic for so long i don't think i remember what it was like to NOT be anemic. Yes.. I am still extremely anemic. My dr said it will take a very long time to build my blood back up. He has me on mega-doses of iron and folic acid. I didn't need a transfusion but my family dr was concerned that i might. I was afraid the family dr would not let me have the surgery til my count was up..but I got through it with flying colors. I just have a hard time dealing with all this fatigue, but hopefully, this too shall pass. It certainly wouldn't hurt to call your dr. It would set you mind at ease, plus...you wouldnt want to run the risk of passing out somewhere strange..or anywhere for that matter.
Take care and have fun in LA!!


Robin
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TAH/BSO, including ovaries; enormous fibroids; sever anemia

Yes you could still be anemic even six weeks post op. It takes a long time to rebuild your iron stores. Are you taking iron supplements, folic acid, b6 and b12? Taking those in combination helps your body absorb the iron better. I was very anemic for years, but now, at four months post, I have tons of energy. I am so sorry I drug around for years. Should have done this five years ago. Hope you feel better!

Although I was not anemic prior to surgery, I lost a large amount of blood during surgery. My doctor decided not to do a transfusion because he felt I could recover (eventually!)on my own. He did tell me it would take 3-4 months to get back to normal, although in my case he didn't advise supplements. (I ignored him and took a regular multi vitamin with some iron to speed up the process).

I I think it may be worth giving your doc a call. To the best of my knowledge anemia doesn't cause blood pressure to rise, but I believe bp problems might contribute to headache.

I was slightly anemic before surgery (11.4) even though I was taking iron since February. I had alot of blood loss post-op & became severely anemic (7.2) after that. They decided not to transfuse me & to let my body build on its own. I'm taking a combo Iron-Folic Acid-Vitamin C pill that the dr prescribed. He told me I would be on it for a very very long time in order to get my body back to normal. I was at 9.7 as of last Wednesday.

If you aren't on iron, I would definitely call your doctor & ask if you should be taking an iron pill before you leave.

Becky