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

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)?