Reading WebMD is bad for your health
I've had anemia for years. Over a decade, in fact. First manifested in my teens, and has persisted since then. Other than preventing me from donating blood, it hasn't been too big a deal. Until, apparently, now.
My GP has had me on an iron supplement for the past year or so, trying to get my iron levels up and get rid of my anemia. Iron deficiency, after all, is one of the most common causes of anemia. So I faithfully took my iron pills daily, and went back in for bloodwork, sure that the problem would be fixed. Except it wasn't. So then I faithfully took TWO iron pills a day, sure that this time, the anemia would be gone. But it isn't. And my iron levels are normal. Yet I still present with anemia.
Not a big deal, I thought to myself. After all, I've had anemia for years and nothing has come of it! Sure, recommend a hematologist, once you send me the referral I'll make an appointment just so you don't worry. Because there's nothing to worry about!
Huh, why am I getting head rushes all of a sudden? Why are they even worse than the ones I got back in high school, when my anemia first manifested? Why am I getting them after mundane activities, like stooping to pick up a pen from the floor? I eat healthily, I've been reducing my drinking, I've been cutting back on smoking, I exercise... why am I getting head rushes?
Traipse on over to WebMD and the list of potential causes for anemia is enormous. And includes fun things like celiac, Crohn's, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and more! So.
Got the list of referrals yesterday, and I'm going to spend some time tomorrow calling and trying to get an appointment with a doctor that takes my insurance. Because if its just a vitamin deficiency, great, I will take a multi-vitamin. But I really need to know if its something worse. And these head rushes need to stop. Before I fall over or vomit, or both.
My GP has had me on an iron supplement for the past year or so, trying to get my iron levels up and get rid of my anemia. Iron deficiency, after all, is one of the most common causes of anemia. So I faithfully took my iron pills daily, and went back in for bloodwork, sure that the problem would be fixed. Except it wasn't. So then I faithfully took TWO iron pills a day, sure that this time, the anemia would be gone. But it isn't. And my iron levels are normal. Yet I still present with anemia.
Not a big deal, I thought to myself. After all, I've had anemia for years and nothing has come of it! Sure, recommend a hematologist, once you send me the referral I'll make an appointment just so you don't worry. Because there's nothing to worry about!
Huh, why am I getting head rushes all of a sudden? Why are they even worse than the ones I got back in high school, when my anemia first manifested? Why am I getting them after mundane activities, like stooping to pick up a pen from the floor? I eat healthily, I've been reducing my drinking, I've been cutting back on smoking, I exercise... why am I getting head rushes?
Traipse on over to WebMD and the list of potential causes for anemia is enormous. And includes fun things like celiac, Crohn's, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and more! So.
Got the list of referrals yesterday, and I'm going to spend some time tomorrow calling and trying to get an appointment with a doctor that takes my insurance. Because if its just a vitamin deficiency, great, I will take a multi-vitamin. But I really need to know if its something worse. And these head rushes need to stop. Before I fall over or vomit, or both.