A lot of people have been concerned and asking questions about why I eat ice, and why I have to get iron infusions, and why don't I just change my diet, and why don't I just take iron orally, and why don't I do this that or the other to keep my iron levels up....
Well the simple answer is, none of it works. But before I get ahead of myself let me explain what iron deficiency anemia is and why I have it.
What is Iron Deficiency Anemia?
This is when the blood does not have adequate healthy red blood cells, and red blood cells carry oxygen to the body.
As the name implies, iron deficiency anemia is due to insufficient iron. When your body does not have enough iron your bloody can't produce enough of a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen, and as a result of iron deficiency anemia may leave you tired and short of breath.
Why do I have it?
The reason I personally have iron deficiency anemia is because when I am bleeding due to all of my other medical problems with my uterus, I'll lose it so much blood that might body can't replenish itself as quickly as I am depleting it. So in other words I bleed to so much that it makes me sick.
In the past, this has gotten so bad to the point of needing blood transfusions. I had one at age 15 and again at age 22. My doctors try to prevent these incidences from happening by giving me IV iron, but sometimes it is unavoidable.
My symptoms:
- Extreme Fatigue: Sometimes I can't walk more than a few steps without feeling like passing out.
- Weakness: I simply can't hold things that are heavy and its as if my arms and legs are asleep.
- Pale Skin: self explanatory.
- Shortness of Breath: I will have to stop and catch my breath after walking out to my car to get something and coming back inside.
- Lightheadedness and dizziness: I feel like I need to sit down in order to be aware of my surroundings.
- Cold hands and feet: I am really just cold ALL the time!
- Unusual cravings of non-food items such as ICE: I always have a big cup of ice with me, it doesn't matter if it is freezing outside, I feel the CONSTANT need to eat ice.
Poor Appetite: I can miss a few meals and not notice... this is probably the worse one, because if you are lightheaded and feel like passing out and your not eating it can be even worse for your body.
Diagnosis:
The way I was diagnosed was by many blood tests.
Treatment:
Most people can control their iron levels with either a change in their diet or by taking iron pills orally, however sadly for me, these are not options. The reason why is because as I stated before, I deplete my iron supply faster than I can inn take it. Even if I am taking iron orally leading up to the bleeding, it isn't enough to counter act what I am loosing. For example, leading up to my surgery my doctor had me on iron for about a month and a half, when they did my blood work for my surgery my levels where okay. After my surgery, and recovery, I had started bleeding and needed to get tested again, so the drew blood. my iron level was at a 4ng/mL! A 4ng/mL! "Low" is considered to be between 12ng/mL and 18ng/mL, this is measured as nanograms per millilter, and "normal" is between 18ng/mL to 150ng/mL. When my doctor got these results she said she was surprised that I was walking, and that I had not passed out yet.
So, I get IV Iron. Basically I have to go in 3 times a in one week and get a unit of iron pumped into my arm. This takes about 2hrs per treatment and makes me feel like poop! I get horrible headaches, chest pain, shortness of breath, upset stomach, nausea, and constipation. Sometimes getting the iron makes me feel worse than I did before I had it, but after a few days my body regulates itself and I am able to feel better. However, I am supposed to start getting iron treatments once a month again. So this means I go in the times in one week, every 3 weeks. Which is time consuming, and EXPENSIVE! But ya gotta do what ya gotta do to be healthy! Right?!?
So, that is why I eat ice, all the time, I am sorry if it is annoying, trust me I don't like it either, but I can't help it! The nurse at my last infusion asked me if I needed anything to drink then she realized I had a cup and she asked what was in it, I responded with ice, and she laughed and asked if I wanted a refill! It's a real thing y'all I promise! And if the people at the Cancer Center are the only ones who get it, that's fine by me!
I think that that wraps up this post. I am sure I forgot something so if you have any questions about this, or anything else let me know!
Again thank you for your love and support on this journey!
As always if you ever need to contact me please feel free to via email teasha.adams@gmail.com or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/teasha.adams91 and of course you can leave a comment down below.
Remember that when life gets hard, keep moving forward and...
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