Anemia and Hemoroids before IBC

SandyinPa

Hi everyone,

Just wonder if anybody was anemic before chemo? Or if anyone had really bad hemoroids and constipation leading up to dx?

I had an iron transfusion to start, then after doxi I had a blood transfusion. I felt like a new person after the blood transfusion. I had probably been severely anemic for a long time. Wondering if I might have some other underlying medical condition causing the anemia.

Kicks

Never been anemic.  

MelissaDallas

Sandy, have they not investigated why you're so anemic? I would think that anyone who was so anemic they required transfusion would have had some pretty detailed testing as to what the underlying condition is.

SandyinPa

No. They haven't investigated why I am so anemic. I am guessing that they think it's from the cancer? They gave me an iron infusion and that didn't help, which probably says something. I would like to know if there is an underlying condition besides the cancer. My body could be trying to fight both. One nurse said: Lots of people are anemic. I recently read about pernicious anemia and b12 defeciencies. I don't eat a lot of meat, so I am guessing it might be for that reason. But, there are tests to determine the cause of the anemia. I am trying to get them to find out why I am anemic. Thanks for the feedback.

SandyinPa

Thank you Bon. You are so incredibly helpful!

SandyinPa

Hi Bon,

Thank you for all the details! Gosh, you are awesome! My doc said rectal bleeding was normal during chemo and constipation. I told them I had constipation before the chemo and rectal bleeding. They did some kind of test of my fecal matter to test for intestinal problems and everything came out clear. Sounds like you have a great doctor! No one has ever mentioned me that three days is too long without a bowel movement or recommended anything but stool softeners. I was taking probiotics which seemed to help. Just started on a natural based stool softener, eating more fiber, and calcium plus d with a little fiber in it, but I think I need a lot more. Things have improved significantly with diet changes, but I think I need more help. Walking even 30 minutes a day keeps things moving too. So, sometimes I'll just go to the grocery store to walk for 30 minutes. It's hard to not stop and look at stuff though! Ha!  

Rinna73

I know I'm late to this thread, but my sister has been going through anemia and irregular bm at the onset of IBC, which the docs have unofficially declared her disease to be. They wanted to give her a blood transfusion at first, but settled on just raising her potassium, which seemed to help out a lot.