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I think I worried myself back into a flare

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Posted 11/12/2011 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
I posted a while ago about being found to have anemia. I started on iron pills, and seemed to really feel a positive difference from them. I had had a mild flare in August, but never saw blood, which I normally do when flaring. The flare seemed to be ended by the end of September, back to solid and normal BMs. I know the anemia isn't related to my periods, since those are really light.

So I'm really worried about what's causing the anemia. I have a colonoscopy and endoscopy scheduled for the 28th. My GI mentioned the small possibility of cancer, since I'm 41 and risk rises in your 40s, and that really set my health anxiety off. I've been extra-anxious about it for the past week or so, thinking about it constantly, and now I think I've worried myself back into a flare. shakehead

I've been having diarrhea (which I pretty much never do unless I'm flaring), urgency, gas, bloating and back and abdominal pain. I've also gone back to extreme fatigue and headaches that I was having right before I was found to have anemia. (Probably caused by the anemia.) Still no blood, though. So I can't help but think either it's colon or stomach cancer, or my proctitis has suddenly extended way far up my colon to produce fecal occult blood I can't see. (I had a flex sig in '09, and all was well.) Of course, all the worrying certainly doesn't help things any, but it's really hard to turn off, you know?
Posted 11/13/2011 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Have you ever tried anything to help with your anxiety and worry? I started taking Effexor XR when I had my last flare. Anxiety and worry are big triggers for flares for me, so I can sympathize! I feel like Effexor helped me get over my last flare. Just an idea, good luck and keep us posted. :-)
Posted 11/13/2011 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the reply! Yeah, I've been taking generic Celexa for years. My anxiety had gotten a LOT better over the years, but this incident has thrown me for a loop again. Still, it's not quite as bad as at my worst years ago.
Posted 11/13/2011 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
Do you take vitamin C (helps with c absorption)? Magnesium can inhibit iron absorption. How is your vitamin B12 level?

Your doctor probably shouldn't have said "maybe it's cancer"..nothing like making you worry more..sheesh.
He would have been better to say "we better take a look in there from both ends to see if anything else is going on"..at least for me, that would have been better..lol.

Hope all goes well with the scopes.

Is your GP doing the blood testing or is your GI? Is he/she taking any other tests to help determine if there's another problem related to low iron?

q
Posted 11/13/2011 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
MmeMulot,

Yes, I couldn't agree more with quincy: the doctor should never have made the comment about cancer possibility. To me, that's just reckless.

Why not wait until the scope to see what's going on first?

I assume the blood work will also include vitamin d and b12 as well?

I hope you get some answers soon, so you can be started on the road to recovery and well being.

I wouldn't suggest Vit. C as it sometimes can result in D.

Posted 11/13/2011 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies! Yeah, I really wish my doctor hadn't mentioned cancer. I mean, I know it's a possibility, but I really didn't need him mentioning it!

I also have low Vit. D, so I'm taking D3 supplements. My B12 is fine. My GP did the first blood test that found the anemia. My GI is going to do bloodwork again when I have my scopes.

I didn't know that about magnesium. Maybe I should stop taking it for the time being? The iron supplement I'm taking also has Vit. C in it.

Man, my stomach is just in knots, and my abdomen is really hurting. I was feeling so much better until I started worrying like crazy. nono I'm going to splurge on a massage this afternoon -- I hope that helps some.
Posted 11/13/2011 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
now, that's the idea....get a relaxing massage!

Just do the research and see if there are other things that can help to up your iron.

My iron level was down a bit, surprisingly. I'll have more blood tests in the early spring to see if anything's improved. It's not "low"..just lower.

I've upped my vitamin C, maybe that will help.

Hope you had a better day.
q
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