Hi FCS
My story is quite similar - In brief - I had a urine infection I could not shake off which made me quite ill. I went to GP for, I presumed, antibiotics. He said mty pulse was 122 at rest so sent me to hospital for intravenous antibiotics as he thought I had kidney infection.
At hospital I had a blood test and was asked all kinds of questions (Now, I've had hell with my HRT over the years, I am still bleeding regularly and my periods have never stopped, I'm 59. I was on sequential HRT and could not tie in the withdrawal bleed with my own bleeds as cycle is short, around 22 days. SO I'd been having heavy periods of my own, plus, as I was terrified of hyperplasia, having the withdrawal bleeds. I'm suffering from health anxiety due to going through hell with my GP stopping giving me bio-identical HRT specifically utrogestan due to cost - so had been having to pay for my own!
)
Blood test showed I was severely anaemic.
2 and 2 together explained why I had felt faint on standing, out of breath just walking, and calves aching terribly on short walking distances for about a year.
BUT - I dare not tell the hospital doctor about this as I was terrified they'd stop my HRT - so I said all was fine. They presumed I was post menopausal at 59 anyway.
So they booked me in for urgent colonoscopy and endoscopy, query cancer!
My levels were less than 50% of what I should have had, the number 55 was quoted? But not explained. They did say they considered transfusion it was that bad.
Well, I went to my GP and came clean about the bleeding issue. I therefore did not need the other investigations, thank god.
But my GP sent me to hospital for scans of my womb due to me 'not POSSIBLY having my own periods at 59' and query womb cancer! (YES she actually SAID this!
) She changed my HRT to continuous - but six months on I am still bleeding regularly, nothing has changed. at least I don't do the withdrawal bleeds as well now I suppose...
Scan showed all clear, no issues and womb of menstruating woman. (Ha! so I actually AM still having periods, it IS possible! And, complete with all the PMT etc beforehand)
I was given ferrous fumarate 332mg twice a day.
I took it with orange juice as directed by doctor.
After a week and a half I felt much better - but not better per se.
After 3 months I had another blood test at a follow up gynae appointment, and was considered now within normal range.
I stopped taking the tablets as the gynae's letter said I could stop now, but I am going to pluck up courage to ask to carry on as I'm still bleeding. No doubt I will have yet another fight on my hands
My hair is quite thin and my nails are very brittle. I also want to ask for thyroid test but again, I doubt I will be allowed
I don't have much faith in doctors after all this carry on with my HRT I have to say.
Anyway, I'm sorry, I tried to be brief but I see I have waffled!!
Probably doesn't make much sense but you should get the gist!