Saturday, January 23, 2016

Personally.....A Health Update

Back in October I told you about my should've died but didn't moment, and then never spoke of anything relating to it again. I figured I would give you guys a little update on my health, just so you know how things are going.

There were lots of blood tests done. Lots of them. For someone that had just had four bags of blood put into them, you'd think the doctors would let me keep some of it. I was trying to hang on to every drop, but they seemed determined to take it all back lol. The tests all came back about the same- my blood levels were low, my iron levels were low, I should plan on another transfusion, etc. They felt okay with calling me anemic, even though my regular doctor and gastrointestinal one decided that there was probably something more to it, they just didn't know what. I had a colonoscopy done, and lots of things were biopsied (and a few things removed), but the main result of that was nothing was bleeding in the lower section to make me so anemic. So then I had an endoscopy done the day before Thanksgiving, and it was pretty much the same thing- nothing was bleeding up top to make my blood levels so low either. At this point I was told to go see my gynecologist because it had to be something related to my endometriosis/lady parts. So I went to see her, and when I told her why I was sent to her, she got a little put out. And I was thankful, because I had also found it a little insulting for the gastrointestinal dude to basically tell me that it was just a period problem. We talked things over, and she was the only one to offer to refer me to a hematologist- you know, a doctor that actually specializes in blood disorders. Why the other two hadn't thought to do that, I don't know. I'm still waiting to see the specialist- there was some paperwork mix up between the doctor offices, and then an insurance change that's made things stall a bit, but I'm hoping to see him soon. And that's where I'm at right now. I take iron pills when I can stomach them (I'm supposed to take them three times a day) and I was told that if I wanted to try a gluten free diet to see if it helps, I can (people with gluten intolerances can't absorb iron I guess. I've been tested for Celiac's like six times since I went to the hospital. I don't have it, but the doctors seem to think its an option.). I still don't feel overly fantastic, but I'm not as bad as I was back in October, and for that I am grateful.

6 comments:

  1. Thank you! I won't leave them alone until I do :)

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  2. Hoping there will be answers soon, and, glad you're feeling better than before!

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  3. Thank you! I'm trying my darnedest to get back to normal. Or maybe even better than normal :)

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  4. Endosisters unite. So glad you're better and I really understand how annoying the run around is. Hope they figure it out soon!

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  5. Thank you! Its so hard to get people to understand endometriosis in the first place, and then doctors act like you don't know enough about yourself to know that that's not the issue. I've finally seen a hematologist, so I'm hoping something will come out of that :)

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