Hello all. I'm still trying to piece things together, but I'd love some input if anyone has any ideas.
I was rushed to hospital 10 days ago with severe palpitations, weakness & light headedness. I spent the next 4 days in hospital having every test known to man. They thought I had a heart problem, then ruled that out. Blood tests revealed anemia. I know iron is viewed differently around these parts to 'the mainstream'. I'm currently doing a lot of research on this and related sites, because there are large gaps in my knowledge.
The scary thing was my hemoglobin count dropped dramatically in a short space of time. I don't know if other countires have the same measurement system, but in Australian standards, it went from 140 a month ago, to 115 at hospital admittance, to 95 the following day. Obvious cause for concern.
I was given a rapid iron transfusion. 2 days later this really kicked in and I've felt amazing ever since. No weakness, palpitations completely gone. I was also booked in for a gastroscopy and colonoscopy. All the docs assumed I have an internal bleed.
Today I had the gastroscopy which revealed nothing whatsover out of the ordinary. The doc came in afterwards and said you absolutely need a colonoscopy, because there is definitely a bleed somewhere. He went as far as to mention bowel cancer, which scared the hell out of me.
I did some cursory research yesterday, and found a lot of info on the possibility of certain foods suppressing iron absorption. At the top of the list was milk. I drink a HUGE amount of milk. I mean huge. With added casein powder. Other things on the list were coffee, eggs, aspirin. I know these are all considered 'nectar of the gods' around these parts. But I wonder something: should I have these foods AWAY from my high-iron foods? And I only have red meat about once a fortnight (liver on average once a month). My question then is: could this anemia be diet related? Or does the fact it came on so suddenly indicate that's unlikely?
I stupidly asked the gastroenterologist about milk, and he laughed in my face and said "no. Milk cannot block iron absorption. You have a bleed".
Anyway. I REALLY don't want to get a colonoscopy. I'm a bit scared and confused at the moment, and having spent a week in a hospital, I've fallen somewhat under the immense sway and power of the medical establishment. I don't even know whether to resume drinking milk and taking aspirin.
I've read some interesting threads @haidut posted about colonoscopies and aspirin. I believe what I read. It's expensive, I'm broke, it's invasive, there are possible complications. And even if they did find bowel cancer, I wouldn't in a million years go near chemotherapy. So part of me thinks: what's the point?
I've also been wondering if I've had stomach bleeding from the aspirin, and whether that's easy fixed by following some of the clever protocols people have written about on this forum. The trouble is, it could be something simple, and fixable at home, or it could indeed be a bleed. FWIW, I've had ZERO sign of blood in my stool.
Anyway, it's a long post I know, but I'm hoping someone will read this who's been through something similar or is knowledgeable about anemia. I'd be grateful for any input.
Whatever the case, now that I'm done with the g-scope and free and clear of the hospital, and feeling great again, I am going to seriously double down on my diet and lifestyle (I literally decided whilst lying in the hospital bed to quit my shitty job and become self-employed), start adding in more coconut oil (I BARELY use it), eat more red meat and liver, and try having my beloved milk away from high-iron meals.
Cheers
I was rushed to hospital 10 days ago with severe palpitations, weakness & light headedness. I spent the next 4 days in hospital having every test known to man. They thought I had a heart problem, then ruled that out. Blood tests revealed anemia. I know iron is viewed differently around these parts to 'the mainstream'. I'm currently doing a lot of research on this and related sites, because there are large gaps in my knowledge.
The scary thing was my hemoglobin count dropped dramatically in a short space of time. I don't know if other countires have the same measurement system, but in Australian standards, it went from 140 a month ago, to 115 at hospital admittance, to 95 the following day. Obvious cause for concern.
I was given a rapid iron transfusion. 2 days later this really kicked in and I've felt amazing ever since. No weakness, palpitations completely gone. I was also booked in for a gastroscopy and colonoscopy. All the docs assumed I have an internal bleed.
Today I had the gastroscopy which revealed nothing whatsover out of the ordinary. The doc came in afterwards and said you absolutely need a colonoscopy, because there is definitely a bleed somewhere. He went as far as to mention bowel cancer, which scared the hell out of me.
I did some cursory research yesterday, and found a lot of info on the possibility of certain foods suppressing iron absorption. At the top of the list was milk. I drink a HUGE amount of milk. I mean huge. With added casein powder. Other things on the list were coffee, eggs, aspirin. I know these are all considered 'nectar of the gods' around these parts. But I wonder something: should I have these foods AWAY from my high-iron foods? And I only have red meat about once a fortnight (liver on average once a month). My question then is: could this anemia be diet related? Or does the fact it came on so suddenly indicate that's unlikely?
I stupidly asked the gastroenterologist about milk, and he laughed in my face and said "no. Milk cannot block iron absorption. You have a bleed".
Anyway. I REALLY don't want to get a colonoscopy. I'm a bit scared and confused at the moment, and having spent a week in a hospital, I've fallen somewhat under the immense sway and power of the medical establishment. I don't even know whether to resume drinking milk and taking aspirin.
I've read some interesting threads @haidut posted about colonoscopies and aspirin. I believe what I read. It's expensive, I'm broke, it's invasive, there are possible complications. And even if they did find bowel cancer, I wouldn't in a million years go near chemotherapy. So part of me thinks: what's the point?
I've also been wondering if I've had stomach bleeding from the aspirin, and whether that's easy fixed by following some of the clever protocols people have written about on this forum. The trouble is, it could be something simple, and fixable at home, or it could indeed be a bleed. FWIW, I've had ZERO sign of blood in my stool.
Anyway, it's a long post I know, but I'm hoping someone will read this who's been through something similar or is knowledgeable about anemia. I'd be grateful for any input.
Whatever the case, now that I'm done with the g-scope and free and clear of the hospital, and feeling great again, I am going to seriously double down on my diet and lifestyle (I literally decided whilst lying in the hospital bed to quit my shitty job and become self-employed), start adding in more coconut oil (I BARELY use it), eat more red meat and liver, and try having my beloved milk away from high-iron meals.
Cheers
