Anyone have experience with anemia?

i am going to see my doctor at the end of this month to get a full physical.  i also want to ask her why i am exhausted all the time.  in the meantime, i was hoping to get some insight from anyone who has, or knows someone who has anemia.  what other symptoms should i look out for? 

i know that different types of anemia cause different symptoms.  i don't think i look pale, although i have olive skin naturally so it's hard to tell.  i sometimes get light-headed, especially when standing up from a sitting position.  my nails are growing ok, and i don't really get cramps or anything in my legs.  i'm just completely exhausted no matter how much sleep i get, and often feel weak, like i can't lift anything.  i don't eat meat, which makes me a candidate for iron deficiency. 

any help or personal experiences would really help me.  thanks!!

I have the nail problem--spoon-shaped, abnormally brittle nails.  And I have no cuticles!

I also get dry mouth and cracked skin at the corners of my mouth, and horrifically bad periods. 

I take "Slow FE" iron supplements which are supposed to cause less stomach issues than other supplements, but I still have problems.

Good luck!

My ED has left me with severe anemia. Outwardly I don't really show signs beyond the horrendously pale skin, extreme fatigue and bouts of weakness. I get cramps in my legs on occassion, too. I use "severe" in that my red blood cell count was EXTREMELY low, to a point I was apparently on the verge of needing to go to hospital for it. I now have to take iron supplements combined with a multivitamin (and I'm talking a full, expensive one) and also a stool softener \: Icky, but I have constipation trouble anyway and iron supplements make it... well, a bit more of a push on their own WITHOUT having problems anyway. So you might not need the last one if you turn out to be anemic. It's good you're getting it checked, though - much better to know if you are and be reassured if you aren't than put it off. (:

thank you soo much for your replies!!

my dad is a pediatrician, and he is the one who put it in to my head that i may be anemic.  since then he got me started on iron and b-12 supplements, on top of my multi vitamin.  nothing seems to help.  i don't show the symptoms that both of you mentioned.  but i'm still worried.

lalabanana: iron does the same thing to me =(  icky

yaelws: i used to have horribly bad periods before i went on the pill.  i have very dry lips, but dunno if that is the same thing.

i wish i could have gotten my appointment sooner =(

Perhaps your not anemic ... have you explored thyroid problems ? THey tend to run in the family so if anyone in your family has an over or under active thyroid it makes you more likely to have similar problems... although i am anemic at the best of times I found that most of the symptoms I had ( tired all the time etc) were cause by my thyroid crapping out on me... None of the iron supplements do anything for me and changing my diet had no effect either.. thats what made my doctor test the thyroid function... perhaps get them to add that test when you go in, it's only a blood test so not painful or anything ( unless you don't like needles !) good luck....

Not anemic but I have been told I'm pretty low on iron... the doc put me on pre-natal vitamins and that seemed to help out for a bit... but the pills were so expensive I only took them for a month, instead of three...

csiduaphin: it's funny that you mentioned the thing about needles.  I AM TERRIFIED OF THEM, but only at the doctor's office for some reason.  not tattoos and piercings.  is that odd?  anyway, i have considered thyroid issues also, and will be asking them to check that too.  thank you sooo much!  what has helped you??

Hi notalone

I was diagnosed anemic a year ago and I had the same problem as you. I was feeling exhausted all the time and was slightly pale (your olive skin probably hides that) but that's it. I didn't think it was anemia until I went to the doctor ... the week before I went I got some dizzy spells, light-headedness which you seem to have but none of the other symptoms.

I was tested for anemia and thyroid problems. It ended up that I was slightly iron-deficient anemic. I am now taking Ferrous Gluconate, which is an over the counter iron supplement, and I felt better for a while. I got pretty busy and ended up forgetting to take my iron for a while. Just this month I have been hit again with the severe exhaustion and I know it is becuase I haven't been taking the iron. I would  not worry too much about it not having the other symptoms. It can manifest differently in different people. You can try to eat foods  that are rich in iron (especially since you don't eat meat), such as spinach, tofu, broccoli, etc. Although the best way is to take iron supplements. Also, take your supplements with orange juice as the Vitamin C helps your body process iron. Do not drink coffee/tea while you take it as they will block the absorption of iron.

I hope this helps.

I am anemic and used to take a prescription Iron Supplement,  now I make sure my multi vitamin contains Iron and try to incorporate iron rich foods in my diet.

I am always cold, especially my hands and feet, I used to be very tired, no period issues, my nails were a mess, and the weird one that actually triggered my doctors question, was that I am a constant ice chewer, not real good for the teeth.  I am pale but that is the Irish/German background. When I was pregnant with my daughter (14 years ago) they tested for it.

today it doesn't effect me too much.  If I don't take my multi vitamin for awhile I feel it.  I also take Slow Fe prior to and during my cycle.

 

how funny seeing this thread resurrected!!  i did a double take ;)

just wanted to thank you netsirk and theresa5656 for the great advice.  since i posted this, i started taking iron regularly but it really did a number on my stomach.  i started incorporating more protein, and vitamin C definitely helps.  overall i feel better than when i originally posted this, but still not as energetic as i should be.  i guess i'll just keep trying til i find something that works!  thanks again!

I am glad to hear you are feeling better. The longer you take the iron supplements, the better you will feel. Unfortunately, they don't boost your energy right away. But you should feel a lot better if a couple weeks if you take it regularly.

 

Cheers!

Did your doctor diagnose you with anemia in the end? Iron supplements have a common side effect of constipation, so it is troublesome to take them without proper supervision or additional medications to help that. Vitamin C and more iron in your diet is always good. There's a list of good iron sources here: UDSA: Sources of Iron

Oh, I just now noticed how long ago your post was ... guess its been longer than a few weeks. All I can say is keep at it and I hope you feel better!