Anemia? - Anemia Message Board

Nicholen · 01-10-2001, 07:33 PM

Hi
I am going to try to donate blood tomorrow. Yes, I'm scared but I think I'll be ok. The problem is, I don't know if I'll get past the iron test. You see, I was heading down the path of an eating disorder and it started to get bad. One meal a day. I am eating more now and I know I lost a lot of nutrition. I have slowed my motabolism down so that when I'm in my dance classes, I am so short of breath. I noticed when I ate more I felt better in dance class, until recently. What used to be enough food to be able to dance on, isn't anymore. I eat even more now but I'm still tired. Some days I get out of bed after sleeping late on a weekend, and after 10 min I'm absolutly exhausted. Are these the symptoms of anemia? I also think I need more magnesium cause I've been twitching alot. Today in my dance class my legs were cramping up so I guess I need more potassium. I did eat a banana, but I don't think it has any iron.

Does anyone here get exhausted after climbing up stairs? Do you find it hard to concentrate, almost like you're in a daze? Do your eyelids feel like they want to shut even though you're not 'sleepy' tired? And do you just want to lay around all day and not move?

Oh well, I guess I'll find out tomorrow if I'm anemic. I'll let you know.

thanks for listening

Nicholen

droper · 02-20-2001, 09:42 AM

Even though they told you that you were not anemic when you tried to give blood, you should have a CBC (Complete Blood Count) done anyway if you are still experiencing the symptoms you described. I had similar symptoms (fatigue, tiredness, trouble walking up a flight of stairs without being exausted) and was told by two doctors that I was slightly anemic, but not enough to warrant treatment by supplementation. I finally found a doctor that was experienced in the treatment of iron difficient anemia and gave a diagnosis and supplementation. It took about six weeks before I started feeling better, but I feel 100% better. Have you ever had an ringing in your ears or Pica (urge to eat ice, or unusual things)?