Anemia and Fibromyalgia - Fibromyalgia Message Board

JJ1 · 02-18-2008, 08:30 PM

I am new to these boards. I actually came to the boards because of issues with anemia but glad to see that there is a fibromyalgia discussion, too. I have had fibromylagia for about 8 years. I think emotional trauma of caring for dad with alzheimers, mom with terminal cancer, while working full time and raising three kids paid its toll on me. For the last 4 years I have suffered from severe anemia. Last year it dropped to a hemoglobin of 6 and no measurable ferritin which is seriously low. I now receive IV iron injections twice per year to keep it in a normal range. The doctors have no idea why my iron drops and have said some people just don't aborb iron from food. Since I went most of my life with no iron issues, I can't help but doubt this "explanation". It has been blamed on heavy periods even though mine seem normal and are not any heavier than they have been my whole life. I have had upper and lower GI tests to rule out internal bleeding. I was tested for thinning stomach lining, esphagus erosions and celiac disease, but everything checked out. My blood has been checked for vitamin B-12 deficiency, but it is also fine. My main suspicion is that it is due to long term use of Nexium, a proton-pump inhibitor that decreases stomach acid production. Stomach acid is important for absorbing many nutrients and minerals. Just wondering if any of your other fibromyalgia sufferers also suffer from anemia? Anyone who also takes Nexium or other ppi also have anemia problems? Thanks.

Grapedy · 02-19-2008, 10:47 AM

Even with all of the advances that have been made in modern medicine, we don't have answers for everything. Sometimes there is no reason. It just happens. It's called "idiopathic" and literally means "idiotic/unknown disease process".

The kind of anemia you're describing is most likely NOT due to taking PPI's. People who take PPI's have overactive stomach acid production and what the drug does is lower your production to a more normal level.

You may have to accept that there may not be a medical reason why you're so anemic. It happens more often than most people think. Sometimes things just happen and nobody knows why.

JJ1 · 02-19-2008, 10:58 AM

Anemia is actually listed as a possible side effect of Nexium. I can't help but think it is playing some part, particulary since my problems with anemia began around the same general time of beginning Nexium (I was on Prevacid before that). I am beginning to think it is a combination of factors with Nexium possibly playing one part. It could be my iron absorption is reduced by some amount due to decreased stomach acid and in combination with my monthly periods, it is enough to make me become severely anemic. I am taking care of the monthly cycle sometime next month (going on a birth control method that will greatly reduce or eliminate my periods - I had tubal ligation after my third child so I haven't been using anything to regulate my monthly cycle). So maybe that will help things. Thanks for your reply.