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Nurse called....I'm anemic...is that worrisome?

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Nurse called....I'm anemic...is that worrisome?  
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Posted 10/5/2007 8:51 AM (GMT -7)
Hey guys! My GI's nurse finally called me back. My bloodwork from last week showed I was anemic. For now there is nothing I need to do but repeat bloowdwork in a couple of weeks. Would this help explain the exhaustion? Thanks guys! Oh and Happy Friday!
Tabitha (Tab)

100mg Azathioprine, 2 Fibercon, Colazal-6 a day, Acidopholis Pearls, Prilosec OTC

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Co-Moderator UC Forum

Posted 10/5/2007 9:00 AM (GMT -7)
I've been anemic a few times. Yuck! Just try to eat things that are high in iron. People always recommend liver cooked in a cast iron skillet! Just the thought of that gives me the heebee-geebees!

Spinach, most fortified cereals, red meat, and I can't think of many more right now. Did they recommend an iron supplement? Did they tell you how low your count was? If not, I'm guessing it isn't super low.

Yes, anemic fatigue is a WHOLE new fatigue. It's like nothing I had ever experienced before! Like someone just zapped my energy and any energy I could possible gather.

Woo hoo for Friday!
Pan-colitis and GERD diagnosed May 2003
 
Asacol 12 per day,  Azathioprine 75mg, Rowasa and Canasa as needed
Aciphex, Effexor XR, BCP, Rhinocort nasal spray
Culturelle, Biotin, Folic Acid, Forvia, Calcium, and B12
 
Osteopenia (hip and spine) from prednisone use.  Started Azathioprine because I was steroid dependent.
 
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Posted 10/5/2007 9:02 AM (GMT -7)
Are you bleeding? If not, why are you anemic, do you know? And yes, that can definately explain the fatigue. I have had anemia more times then I can count and boy oh boy does that make you tired! Like Dawn said, total energy zapper!
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Left sided Uc -'92 - Colazal, Canasa, 6mp, Prilosec, Biotin, Forvia
Secondary Reynauds Syndrome - '04 - Norvasc
Fibromyalgia - '06 
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Posted 10/5/2007 9:04 AM (GMT -7)
I guess I should have asked - how are you losing blood? Was it just that time of the month? If so, then your body will probably build up those stores again by itself.
Pan-colitis and GERD diagnosed May 2003
 
Asacol 12 per day,  Azathioprine 75mg, Rowasa and Canasa as needed
Aciphex, Effexor XR, BCP, Rhinocort nasal spray
Culturelle, Biotin, Folic Acid, Forvia, Calcium, and B12
 
Osteopenia (hip and spine) from prednisone use.  Started Azathioprine because I was steroid dependent.
 
Co-Mod for the UC forum
Keep HealingWell running smoothly:  www.healingwell.com/donate

Posted 10/5/2007 9:08 AM (GMT -7)
I had just finished my period (which was super light) before the bloodwork. Odd. My levels were not in a range that they said I needed to take supplements yet. Um liver?! YUCK! How about chocolate...ha ha!
Tabitha (Tab)

100mg Azathioprine, 2 Fibercon, Colazal-6 a day, Acidopholis Pearls, Prilosec OTC

https://www.healingwell.com/donate
Co-Moderator UC Forum

Posted 10/5/2007 9:24 AM (GMT -7)
I think that Coco Puffs is iron fortified!
Pan-colitis and GERD diagnosed May 2003
 
Asacol 12 per day,  Azathioprine 75mg, Rowasa and Canasa as needed
Aciphex, Effexor XR, BCP, Rhinocort nasal spray
Culturelle, Biotin, Folic Acid, Forvia, Calcium, and B12
 
Osteopenia (hip and spine) from prednisone use.  Started Azathioprine because I was steroid dependent.
 
Co-Mod for the UC forum
Keep HealingWell running smoothly:  www.healingwell.com/donate

Posted 10/5/2007 10:45 AM (GMT -7)
I am/was anemic, too. They think mine started when I had the flare-up earlier on in my pregnancy. The Dr. told me to get over-the-counter iron (Slow-FE), and it has worked. I think it's 42.5 mg once per day. Many, many people get anemia for many, many reasons. Women are especially prone to it.
Current Medications:
- Asacol (4 pills, 2x per day)
- Rowasa (1 enema daily, as needed)
- Folic Acid (1 mg, 1x per day)
- Calcium (600 mg, 2x per day)
- Prenatal Vitamin (1x per day)

Posted 10/5/2007 10:55 AM (GMT -7)
Well Coco Puffs it is! Thanks guys...I tend to over worry about everything.
Tabitha (Tab)

100mg Azathioprine, 2 Fibercon, Colazal-6 a day, Acidopholis Pearls, Prilosec OTC

https://www.healingwell.com/donate
Co-Moderator UC Forum

Posted 10/5/2007 11:18 AM (GMT -7)
It can definitely cause you to feel fatigued and washed out. Women have a tendency to become anemic because of menstruation. If you've got active bleeding with your UC, that compounds the situation. Ask your doc about iron IV transfusions and B12 shots... this can get you back on track quickly and you'll feel a whole lot better. Oral iron supplementation causes digestive distress for some IBDers, so the IV route bypasses that.
Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999
C-scope confirmed UC diagnosis 9/18/2007
No explanation for right side pain and thickening of bowel wall
 
Maintenance dose sulfasalazine, back on a pred taper for first flare in years
Probiotics, l-glutamine and fish oil caps. George's aloe vera juice and Mucosaheal.
 
 

Posted 10/5/2007 11:43 AM (GMT -7)
I am not flaring so no UC bleeding. I had to stop taking my multi-vitamin w/ iron because the iron was giving me almost debilitating stomach aches. Thanks for the tips. I'll be sure to bring this all up w/ my gi.
Tabitha (Tab)

100mg Azathioprine, 2 Fibercon, Colazal-6 a day, Acidopholis Pearls, Prilosec OTC

https://www.healingwell.com/donate
Co-Moderator UC Forum

Posted 10/5/2007 1:22 PM (GMT -7)
Do you like braunsweiger. It suppose to be good for it.
Rona

synthroid .088 mg, lowpressor 50 mg x 2, cozaar 25mg x2, imdur 30 mg
nitroquick, proventol, plavix 75 mg, protonix 40 mg x 2, asacal 400mg x 9
carafate 1 gm x 4, zyrtec 10 mg, rhinocort aqua nose spray, fish oil,
potassium.

Posted 10/5/2007 2:57 PM (GMT -7)
That's good news... if you're not actively bleeding, then your levels shouldn't be getting worse, but if fatigue is really an issue, the iron infusions could make you feel a lot better and help you get back on top of the situation, instead of struggling to compensate with iron in your diet.
Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999
C-scope confirmed UC diagnosis 9/18/2007
No explanation for right side pain and thickening of bowel wall
 
Maintenance dose sulfasalazine, back on a pred taper for first flare in years
Probiotics, l-glutamine and fish oil caps. George's aloe vera juice and Mucosaheal.
 
 

Posted 10/5/2007 3:32 PM (GMT -7)
Blackstrap molasses... lots of iron in there!
When I was pregnant (both times) I would mix a tablespoon of it into my milk in the morning!
Posted 10/5/2007 5:39 PM (GMT -7)
Tab - pre-UC, I couldn't take multivitamins with iron because of the stomach aches! Then during the last flare, regular ferrous sulfate gave me the cramps - where in my first flare it didn't. It's super strange how things can change like that!

Apple jacks have lots of iron too!
Pan-colitis and GERD diagnosed May 2003
 
Asacol 12 per day,  Azathioprine 75mg, Rowasa and Canasa as needed
Aciphex, Effexor XR, BCP, Rhinocort nasal spray
Culturelle, Biotin, Folic Acid, Forvia, Calcium, and B12
 
Osteopenia (hip and spine) from prednisone use.  Started Azathioprine because I was steroid dependent.
 
Co-Mod for the UC forum
Keep HealingWell running smoothly:  www.healingwell.com/donate

Posted 10/5/2007 7:08 PM (GMT -7)
Frosted Mini-Wheats have 80% of the daily value of iron (and lots of fiber) if I remember correctly. Just in case you get sick of the Cocoa Puffs. =)
23 years old
Diagnosed with UC March 2007
Current inflamation in the rectum
Asacol 4 tablets 3x/day
Rowasa (generic) - nightly
Nature's Way Primadophilus Reuteri 1/day; Chewable multivitamin

Posted 10/5/2007 8:12 PM (GMT -7)

Tabitha,

As you can see below, I'm on some serious iron maintenance and regular checkups.  I have another in about a week. I won't go into what the last year was like only to let you know iron deficiency anemia is nothing to take lightly.  You could be loosing blood occultly and not notice any outward signs.  That is what is so insidious about it.  It happens so slowly, it's just the symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, leg cramps, that concern you until, if you're lucky, a Dr. will order a blood test.  If you're hemaglobin and iron levels are below normal, eating iron rich foods probably won't overcome the source of the problem.  For instance, it takes 10 lbs. of liver to equal the iron in one Ferrous Sulfate tablet!  One tablet a day wouldn't work for me.  I had to begin taking 3 to get out of anemia range.  Hopefully, I can start reducing that shortly but my hematologist said I would most likely have to be on a supplement for the rest of my life.  If you don't have a hematologist, have your GI refer you to one and treat the anemia as seriously as you would UC.  Let us know how you are doing.  Good luck.

 
Left-sided UC Diagnosed 2004
Iron Deficiency Anemia Diagnosed 2007
Indeterminate Dysplasia Biopsy Result 2006   
Colazal  -  3X3 daily 
Entocort - 3 daily
Nexium
Folic Acid 
Ferrous Sulfate - 325 mg X3 daily
Vitamin C - 500 mg 
Canasa - As Needed
 
 
 
 

Posted 10/6/2007 11:32 PM (GMT -7)
Ive suffered anemia due to uc and had iron injections and been been booked in for an iron infusion. I cant tolerate iron pills as they make me bleed more.
I havent had an iron infusion yet but what Im feeling good on lately is a tonic called Floradix Formula which seems to be a natural iron tonic.  All I can say is I feel better(currently) and seem to have more colour as I go very pale with the anemia.  I take about 10 mls a day and it seems to have no bad affect on the uc whatsoever.  So Ill continue this for as long as I feel good on it.
Anemia sucks and is one of the most difficult things Ive faced with the uc.
I hope you all find whatever works well for you.
Best wishes
Jo
Posted 10/7/2007 6:40 AM (GMT -7)
Hubby had that real fatigue too. Anemia....he was on 3 iron pills a day and got a B12 shot in Aug and Sept. His most recent labs showed very mild anemia and the iron was on the high side now. Dr had him change from 3 iron pills daily to one pill and to stop the B12. They will re-test the B12 in 3-4 months. The B12 seemed to help with the fatigue factor for him.

I like the suggestion about the coco puffs, apple jacks and frosted mini wheats. Not sure which one he might like to try but some of the other iron food suggestions do not appeal to him at all...especially the liver!

I remember seeing a Dr on TV talking quite awhile back about eating "organ meats". In his opinion he did not think it a wise thing to ingest them. Reason being - he said think about what the function of those organs are. Why would you want to eat them was his feeling.

We were never fans of eating organ type meats anyway....as a kid my Mom would make liver and onions once a month - "good for you" and it was my least favorite meal. I remember kind of holding my breath when I would chew and swallow...lol.

61 yr old male~Colitis 1st diagnosed Jan '05-cleared up within a few wks. Flared again in May '06 (now UC) & hospitalized 5/07-currently heading towards a remission. Osteopena of spine from prednisone DX 8/07  Oct 07 feeling quite normal most days.  150mg Imuran 15 mg prednisone & tapering, 12 Asacol, Lidocaine Hydrochloride Jelly 2%,multi vitamin, iron 1X day, DanActive, chewable calcium, Prilosec 20mg, enalapril 10mg, glipizide 5 mg, zocor 20 mg, baby aspirin, (Fentanyl pain patch 50mg 72 hrs  Morphine Sulf 15 mg twice daily)Cortifoam enemas AM & PM, folic acid 1mg, Fosamax 1x month

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