Amemia fatigue?

Hi. My hemoglobin is 10.2 and my ferratin is 4 (normal is 20 - 300 I think). I am so tired that I get out of breath going up stairs, I feel weak all over, I can't seem to focus on anything, and I wasn't able to go to work the past couple days.

I flared last weekend so I'm on 20 mg of prednisone right now and apart from being gassy I'm in no more intestinal distress. But I've never felt this lethargic before. I tried to get ahold of my GI's office today but no one called me back.

Do you think this could be the anemia making me feel this tired? I can't take iron pills as they kill my stomach everytime I try to take them, even the SlowFe's.

thanks

Nanners, when you say you are borderline anemic, do you know what your blood and ferritin counts are, just to give me something to compare to?

They did test me for B12 and they just found low ferritin and vitamin D.

Has anyone else gone to urgent care because they feel tired? I have a feeling they would just tell me to rest at home.

Absolutely! When I was very anemic I was exhausted, and had a hard time breathing. Just going from my kitchen to my bedroom would have me out of breath. It took about 6 months for me to get better from that, with a lot of iron supplements. My hemoglobin was at 8.

Good point Nanners. Six weeks ago started it again at 75mg after being on 100 to 125 mg for about 4 years. I remember that I actually did some jogging last summer so I guess I had good energy while I was on it before(sigh....). I stopped it for six months to see how I would do and I flared. So I suppose it's possible that the 6MP is contributing but given that I was on it for such a long time w/o the fatigue side effect I don't think so. Good thought though, I'll keep it in mind. No overnight line and no nurse on call, I'd have to go to the ER and wait for about 6 hours. If I feel worse tomorrow I guess I'll have to go in though. My white count and liver tests are normal.

Thanks Jen, you're counts were lower than mine but it's good to hear that you've gotten better energy wise.

Anyone else feel crappy before with low ferritin and hemoglobin of around 10?

Nanners, I would go and be seen or the very least call the on call doctor. You shouldn't be so winded. You are feeling breathless for a reason, that reason needs to be found. Take care.

Please don't stop the 6mp without talking to doc. Levels are supposed to stay in one place to be effective for your disease. I have terrible trouble with anemia. Yes, I get winded, see stars after doing a staircase or coughing, get nasty headaches, and am exhausted. I'm also in a nasty mood b/c I'm so fatigued. I've almost always taken iron supplements--just started again and it's killing my tummy so I'm trying every other day for a bit. Can't do steak but can do some hamburg. Can't do leafy greens but trying ensure. See if powerade or gatorade helps your fatigue--seem to do a lot for me. Can you do dry cereal? A number of cereals have a good deal of iron. Turkey and shrimp are good sources and more easily digested. Also, vitamin c helps absorb iron. I just read that soy inhibits the absorption of iron which stinks b/c I'm trying to use soy for protein. Stay hyrdrated as anemic folks dehydrate faster. We also have extreme reactions to weather--ie. we feel colder when it's cold and could sense that the weather is up to 10-15 degrees warmer than it actually is during humid weather b/c it's so hard for us to breathe.

Above all, rest and take it slow. I know it stinks. I'm so annoyed that I need naps lately and I think it's driving my husband nuts too. I come home from work and land in bed.

Good luck to you!!