Stress Center Peer Support

I recently had some routine blood work done to check my iron and thyroid. My iron levels came back really low. I was referred to a hematologist (which is at our local cancer center). My cbc came back and my hemoglobin and hemocratic levels are low. I am terrified. My heart is palpatating and now worried that this will give me a heart attack. Anxiety is a terrible disorder to have......

Hi Ellkay, I know you are feeling very nervous, but I'd like to share my experience with you. Four years ago, I had blood work done and my hemoglobin was so extremely low, I had to go into the hospital and have a transfusion. I was TERRIFIED!!!! I thought I must be dying of some horrendous disease. Well, it wasn't. I had all sorts of tests done at the hospital to check for internal bleeding, etc. What they found was that I had mediteranean anemia and after some very strong iron supplements I am fine.

I want to you realize that we scare ourselves and worry so much and I'm sure whatever is causing your low iron is something they can take care of. Hang in there and try hard to think positive thoughts. I know you'll be all right. I'm praying for you.

Donna

Thank you donna. I think the anxiety side effects is what is so terrifying. I can handle some heart palpatations when I am stressed but when it feels like something is wrong with my heart because it "thumps" so hard - I have a hard time dealing with that. I did read more on the low blood counts and feel slightly better about it but when your doctor sends you to a cancer center for tests - well its a bit scary!

Hi Ellkay, I know it's scary, but I forgot to tell you that hemotologists are always oncologists too. That's why the doctor is at a cancer center. I saw a hemotologist/oncologist also. Please try not to worry though, because it doesn't mean you're seeing him because of anything cancer related. Also, my daughter had a high white blood count last year and had to see a hemotologist/oncologist and everything was fine. My thoughts are with you. Please let me know how you're doing.

Warm regards, Donna

yeah our thoughts can really run away with us huh. Try not to worry pray instead.
I have been there too. Right now my iron is low and I have high white blood cells.
Is your daughter any better with her white blood cells and if so what did the doctor do for her.
By HIs stripes we are healed.

Hi Swanees, The hemotologist could find nothing wrong with her. He said that sometimes smokers (she was a smoker at the time) will have high white counts. She quit (thank God!) and they have gone back to normal. I had no idea that could happen from smoking! There are lots of reasons the white count can be high and it doesn't have to be because of something really bad. I agree with your quote "by his stripes we are healed". I say that often in different circumstances in life and God always comes through for us. He does listen to our prayers and our hearts and He wants our lives to be happy and good. Keep praying. God is in the miracle business.

Warm regards, Donna

Donna,
How are you and your daughter doing? I am getting better and better everyday. I get up in the morning and say this "This is the day that You have made let me REJOICE and be GLAD in it"
I make that my prayer to start.
EVen when I start thinking WHAT IF I change it and say Yeah WHAT IF I have an awesome day or I try to change it to What if and then say something positive with it.
WEll enough preaching hahah you have an awesome day. Let us rejoice and be glad in this day.

hi everyone i too have low levels of iron 21, told by my doc that i need to take iron pills..yuk..they constipate you, is there any other way around this? i have low red blood count and my white blood count was high in my urine but not my blood, also my hemocritic was low protein and bilaburbin high think thats liver? dont know how i got this way!

Originally posted by marinabart:
hi everyone i too have low levels of iron 21, told by my doc that i need to take iron pills..yuk..they constipate you, is there any other way around this? i have low red blood count and my white blood count was high in my urine but not my blood, also my hemocritic was low protein and bilaburbin high think thats liver? dont know how i got this way!

Hello I too just had a physical and my iron levels are low. I take iron pills and they are nasty! If I discover a way around it I will be sure to share!!