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What do you take for anemia treatment?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/12/2015 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
The anemia symptoms are really very very annoying esp. the heart racing and shortness of breath. Though my Hb is not that low (10.5) and I've always lived w an Hb of 11 or 10.8, I can't tolerate fatigue and sudden need to sleep I got this time. They're affecting my activities. I was put on lactoferrin and folic acid twice per day for a month. I googled lactoferrin and found it yes takes a month. I can't wait that long. I have a lot of work to be done let alone working on my PhD.
Previously, when my Hb level dropped, my GI used to put me on iron im injections. This time, he kept thinking out loud and thought of prescribing iv iron injections but he changed his mind coz of the reactions I get from iron them. So, he opted for this lactoferrin thing but it seems any improvement in symptoms will take a long time. What do you folks take when your Hb drops?
Posted 9/12/2015 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
There are different types of iron infusions as opposed to IM injections. I used Ferrinject which worked within a week or so. There are also blood transfusions which work immediately but you run some risks with it. Here is an article which might be helpful: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jbt/2012/473514/
Posted 9/12/2015 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
Gumby, thank you so much. The article is very informative. Still, don't know what to do. Should I wait for a week or two until the lactoferrin kicks in or call my GI and tell him I can't take the symptoms anymore as they are intervening with my activities. Have no clue.
Take care :)
Posted 9/12/2015 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
If you can hang in there a week or so, that would probably be best so your doc knows you are trying to follow his suggestion, but if you don't have any relief, you may need to call back. I am not familiar with your type of anemia, so I don't know what to tell you there. Mine was from blood loss from Crohn's.
Posted 9/12/2015 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
Most probably mine is so, too. It is caused by iron deficiency related to chronic disease. Since my diet has been the same for years and I could cope with an Hb of 11, then I must have lost blood either through my GERD or gastritis or through Crohn's. Insisting to tapering Entocort to 3mg in the last couple of months was not an easy task and which has left me with more d and slight lower right quadrant pain but I resist. I'll try to wait for a week or so and see how things go on.
Posted 9/17/2015 7:14 AM (GMT 0)
I've actually been anaemic since I was a little kid (used to have to get big shots of iron in my bum XD), and what I do is just get infusions about once a year. They always prescribe me oral iron but honestly I just don't take it. It doesn't help that I don't eat red meat, but I've never felt a noticeable difference in physical energy under any circumstances (even back when I was a little kid).
Posted 9/17/2015 8:01 AM (GMT 0)
Iron Bisglycinate aka Gentle Iron 25mg 2x daily. It causes me no stomach upset or problems whatsoever.
It took about 2-3 weeks before I noticed any difference, and 2-3 months before I started feeling normal again.

You will need extra vitamin C to absorb the iron.

Also B12 injections, and a separate oral multi B vitamin.(I like the Alive Brand)
Posted 9/21/2015 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
I have infusions of Dextran 50mg. I have No reactions to this and I have a very sensitive stomach. I do feel a bit better after the infusions.
Posted 9/21/2015 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Dear all, thank you. I've started iron infusions on Friday and contrary to my expectations they caused weird drowsiness. I still have 2 rounds to go, then will have a cbc test to see whether to repeat them or not.
Take care :)
Posted 9/22/2015 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
make sure to avoid calcium within a couple hours of iron as it inhibits its absorption
taking with vitamin c is important as well
Posted 9/24/2015 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Dikid, thank but I don't think this applies to the iv injections I take, right?
Posted 9/27/2015 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
It does. Because if you want to absorb all of the iron you need to take vitamin c to help. Calcium will prevent you from absorbing all of it as well.
Eat a small orange when you get your infusion and avoid dairy or calcium supplements for two hours before and after your infusion and you should be fine.

Let me know how it goes as I am very anemic and am considering the infusions or injections.
I should be seeing a very good hematologist in about 4-6 and will discuss it then
Posted 10/4/2015 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
I have been anemic since 2007, I receive IV iron infusions monthly and blood when required, which lately it has been bi-monthly. We can not find the bleeding after many diagnostics. I am on a new drug Stelera, which is currently prescribed for psoriasis. It is not working, but they say it could take up to 6 months to take effect.

This is very frustrating, if you read my previous posts you will see that I continue to ask and find people with similar symptoms but to no avail.

I don't normally have too much pain, however the last couple months I have been taking more and more painkillers.

I just don't know what to do anymore. So, everyday I open my eyes and enjoy the day, live to the fullest, and enjoy all the moments with my family.

Good luck to you.
Posted 10/4/2015 6:49 AM (GMT 0)
Blacky - I truly do sympathise. I know what it feels like to be very aneamic ie need blood transfusions. Life is hard feeling that exhausted ... And you sound like you have it constantly. I've been down the road a number of times but nothing compared to you. Have they checked your INR? This is usually only monitored for people on warfarin (blood thinner) but I had mine checked and they found that the drug I was taking (rivaroxaban) had reduced my clotting to only 20%. Not life threatening but was causing major bleeds (which were often absorbed in my bowel). Just an idea ... But after years they may well have done that. Just had my latest transfusion and after a week I was still up at 10.1 ... So much energy it's great. Fingers crossed it now stays this high.

Hope you find the cause of yours ... They just must give you a better solution than frequent transfusions!
Posted 10/27/2015 9:50 AM (GMT 0)

blacky said...
I have been anemic since 2007, I receive IV iron infusions monthly and blood when required, which lately it has been bi-monthly. We can not find the bleeding after many diagnostics. I am on a new drug Stelera, which is currently prescribed for psoriasis. It is not working, but they say it could take up to 6 months to take effect.

This is very frustrating, if you read my previous posts you will see that I continue to ask and find people with similar symptoms but to no avail.

I've been anemic for the past five years, ever since I had surgery. My Crohn's is in the ileum and hasn't been very active since the surgery, but I've been needing IV iron every two weeks, a maximum dose of Venofer (iron sucrose). My GI doctor has attributed the anemia (bleeding) to poor blood supply somewhere after the surgery, since I have anemia now and didn't before the surgery. But because of strictures and the location of my disease it hasn't been possible to reach the affected area of my bowel with any sort of scope.

Before the surgery I was on Pentasa, but my GI doctor doesn't believe that drug has any long term benefit, so I've tried various other drugs since then that haven't helped the anemia. I recently suggested we try Pentasa anyways, since my disease is stricturing and a pill camera got stuck in an ulcerated area, so I assume the Pentasa would all end up there as well. Also, since I didn't have an anemia problem before and do now, it seemed worth ruling out the change in drugs as a cause.

I've been on Pentasa 4gm per day for a month now. Before this trial, an occult blood test was positive 100% of the time. For the past month, except on two occasions when I had hemorrhoid problems, it has been 100% negative and I'm feeling enormously more energetic. So if your situation is at all similar to mine, you might try Pentasa!

Best Wishes,
Norm
Posted 11/6/2015 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
I have tried iron infusions and my counts still dropped. My Dr told me take Bifera. It's OTC but I had to have Walmart order in for me. Or you can get it off Amazon. My counts are the best they have been in a long time.
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