[Sadie Lake]

So, I went in to see my Naturopath yesterday for a B12 injection. I had called her on Friday before we went out of town to tell her about how exhausted and lethargic I had been feeling so she set me up an appt for yesterday. She said that based on my description of having my limbs feel a little tingly whenever I use them (even the most minimal amount of movement will make me feel like I'm going to pass out), she thought I was deficient in B12.

Well, once I saw her she said that based on my description of how I've been feeling, she thinks I'm just severely anemic and recommended Floradix.

What's weird is that, while I haven't been outrightly craving ice, for months now I have noticed that if I eat a piece, I am almost fiendish for more. I hadn't thought much of it because I had been feeling ok. My mom noticed a long time ago that I "looked anemic" because I've been a little sunken-looking and blue under my eyes.

The other weird thing is that I've been taking Floradix for months. I'm certainly not as good about it as I am my other vitamins. But, we also eat red meat 2-3 times a week at least.

What could be causing this anemia to get so bad?!

But for the last two and a half weeks, I've been so exhausted that I can barely function. My m/w recommended getting some liquid Chlorophyll to take with my Floradix, which I picked up yesterday. But, after about 2 hours of taking my first dose, I came down with the runs and was up 4 times last night going to the bathroom. Now I'm afraid to take any more.

I've got to find something to help this situation fast because I feel like I'm dying!

Sadie

 

[lotus.blossom]

Yikes! Thats rough. Sorry you're dealing with exhaustion! Can you get your hemoglobin checked? My midwives did a finger prick last week and my levels are adequate.

Can you try cooking in cast iron and eating more leafy greens, eggs, beans, etc?

 

[~Katie~]

Has anyone actually checked your hemoglobin to determine whether you are in fact anemic? I would want to do that first and foremost to rule out anything else and not just generally assume its anemia. If you're consuming dairy or anything with calcium around the time you take the floradix, that will prevent the iron from being absorbed properly.

 

[j_p_i]

Sorry you're feeling so yucky... I don't have any other advice from what the PPs said, just

!

 

[CanBoo]

I do get anemic while pregnant, even though I start with good levels. It is just what happens... despite my efforts of eating iron rich food and combining them with vit C.
Multivitamins and diet are not enough for me.
My MW gave me the option of taking Floradix, but was not recommending it. She said that since I was low, my levels would go up much better with a "normal" iron supplement. She recommended I should be on Palafer (ferrous fumarate) to get my levels my back up. She was also factoring in that I want a homebirth. She says she wants high iron levels in her homebirth moms. I think it is working, because I feel much better now but I will get a blood test again next week to confirm.

Maybe that is the route you might want to follow too since we do not have much time left until baby time.

Planning on switching to Floradix as soon as baby is born though. The Palafer messes up my gut too much for having to deal with that postpartum.

 

[Full Heart]

My mw thought I was anemic. My levels at 14 weeks was 11. I had them retested at like 30 weeks, when I was feeling like crap, and it was almost 14. It had gone up! The problem was that I was not anemic it was that I was really dehydrated. So make sure you are staying hydrated.

Try mixing meals so there is both meat and leafy greens. Blackstrap molasses is also good. Don't get grandmas or something it has to be the black strap stuff. You can make baked beans with it, and beans are good for iron. Its cheap, like $3 a bottle too. Cream of wheat and oatmeal is good (don't make with milk, use water), dark chocolate (the darker the better, like 83% cocoa) with pb is good. Are you drinking juice when you take your floradix? That will aid in absorption. Sea Vegetables like kale are also high in iron.

How much chlorophyll did you take? I do agree it can go through you, so becareful how much you take. I do 2 tbs in juice once a day. No problems with that. If I do it twice, thats too much.

 

[Sadie Lake]

I ended up opting not to go for the blood draw because there's not much else it could be with these symptoms except thyroid, but I don't have any other thyroid symptoms. And, my protocol would probably be the same if I did get my levesl checked and knew for sure what my exact hemo and ferritin levels were.

But, my cast iron pans are all Le Cruset so my food doesn't actually touch the iron. I'm going to costco tomorrow to pick up some Odwalla Super Green that I plan on mixing the chlorophyll and Floradix with.

I have some blackstrap so I may see how I can work it in. I don't really like the taste much, so I'll have to get tricky. If anyone has sugguestions on that one, let me know!

I think I'm just going to double up on the Floradix because I already know it doesn't mess with my digestion. If the chlorophyll keeps making me sick I probably won't be able to keep taking it. I'm just going to have to buck up and shell out the dough for another couple of bottles between now and the birth.

I'm starting to stress out that if I still feel this way when I have the baby that I'll end up in the hospital or something!

Sadie

 

[Punchy Kaby]

I take ionic iron, made by Water OZ or Angtsrom Minerals. Greens can bind up iron in the intestines and make it unusable by the body, it all depends on how your digestion system is functioning. I take my ionic iron on an empty stomach and it does not make it upset in the least. I know if I am cold all the time I need more iron and when I take it I start to feel warm almost immediately. The kind of iron in cast iron pans is not what is readily used by the body.

 

[russianthistle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sadie Lake I have some blackstrap so I may see how I can work it in. I don't really like the taste much, so I'll have to get tricky. If anyone has sugguestions on that one, let me know!

Two ideas for molasses.

One TBS. mixed in a glass of OJ.
One TBS. with hot water (like tea) add cream. I have found that I can down the molasses easier using both options.

It recommended to do the OJ as the Vit. C. really help w/ the absorption of the iron.

 

[Full Heart]

You can also put the molasses in oatmeal. Or you can make baked beans or bbq chicken.

I honestly would opt to get your levels checked. Anemia can cause problems pp so you should know what you levels are. It shouldn't cost more than a few $ to get just your iron checked. I went to a lab last mos and for $50 I got a complete panel. We looked at everything from my iron, thyroid, liver, everything.

 

[lil_miss_understood]

There are several types of anemia, although usually they all effect iron in some way... However..
Zinc and copper are both necessary along with iron to produce hemoglobin. If either one gets low, you can show symptoms of anemia although your iron stores are fine. Pernicious (B12) anemia purportedly doesn't usually happen without iron also being effected (lowered)... At least, that's what I've read in my research on the subject (trying to figure out why I was so tired etc despite my mw's assertion that everything was "normal"- then we got my thyroid results back

).

 

[kriket]

You may just be 8 months pregnant!!

I feel like I need to sleep, then wake up to eat and pee and go back to sleep. I've had my iron checked throughout this pgcy and I'm chock full. I think its the well water

I wouldn't be too quick to blame being lethargic on anything other then being flat out pooped.

 

[Sadie Lake]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kriket You may just be 8 months pregnant!! I feel like I need to sleep, then wake up to eat and pee and go back to sleep. I've had my iron checked throughout this pgcy and I'm chock full. I think its the well water I wouldn't be too quick to blame being lethargic on anything other then being flat out pooped.

I kindof thought that when it first started getting worse, but this is definitely not any kind of normal lethargy! This is like, walk across the room and then need to lay down because I'm so exhausted! My limbs go slightly numb every time I move, or bend down, or carry something. Its aweful!

I felt slightly better today after 3 days of upping my Floradix, adding chlorophyll, eating oatmeal with blackstrap molasses and drinking nettle and yellow dock tea. I'm really hoping it wasn't a fluke and that I'm on the up and up!

Sadie

 

[russianthistle]

I agree with a PP. I'd have your hemocrit checked. It really can be a big deal pp if you are seriously anemic. My step-mom went through several transfusions following birth due to a SERIOUS anemic condition. (Her level was below 6). It's worth knowing. I'm not an advocate for most testing, but I think it's worthwhile to know things like iron levels.

 

[Overthemoon]

I too am feeling tired and had a spell of dabbling in sucking on ice there for a bit, though I seem to be past the ice craving. But I'm not sleeping much (in 48 hours I got 2 hours sleep) so I know that is playing havoc on me. Seems par for the course with my last pregnancy and this pregnancy.

I tried taking the Floradix but the taste, oh gosh the taste - blech. Though I did feel good on days I took it. Now I'm just taking my prenatals and praying for delivery to come soon.

Here's hoping you feel good soon!

 

[Sasharna]

Crashing from April...

I did some research about iron deficiency after I was told I had it. I found out from a hematology textbook that it is safe and effective to take two or three times the dose of iron that is usually recommended. According to this book, the only reason doctors prescribe so little iron is because it increases patient compliance to have a small dose, due to the fact that so many people experience stomach aches or bowel troubles.

Anyhow, I take 325 mg of ferrous sulfate (65 mg elemental iron) two or three times daily and I'm feeling pretty good now. I tried Floradix first but it didn't work for me.

I'm glad you've been feeling better with what you're taking. Just wanted to share my experience in case you have any more trouble in the future.

 

[PassionateWriter]

green soup w dandelion leaves and a homemade preg tea w rrl and other great herbs. if you want the recipe let me know. my iron levels were sky high vs anemic with first 3 births

 

[lil_miss_understood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PassionateWriter green soup w dandelion leaves and a homemade preg tea w rrl and other great herbs. if you want the recipe let me know. my iron levels were sky high vs anemic with first 3 births

I want the green soup recipe!!

 

[kriket]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PassionateWriter green soup w dandelion leaves and a homemade preg tea w rrl and other great herbs. if you want the recipe let me know. my iron levels were sky high vs anemic with first 3 births

: yes... soup,

are there peas in it? I have some peas and lentils that need cooked.

 

[PassionateWriter]

here is teh soup:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/17/he...alth.html?_r=1

which is great. but for every day, the tea is excellent:

Ingredients:
raspberry
alfalfa
nettle
oatstraw
Dandelion (very bitter)
Peppermint or spearmint
chamomile is contraindicated in the first trimester, but ok after that (adds flavor and sweetness)

Boil a pot of water. Throw in herbs and turn off heat. COVER and let sit overnight. In the morning, strain and put into the fridge. You can heat it up or drink it cold. Good with honey and lemon. Drink at least 1 liter per day, preferably 2 liters.

The quantities you use are up to you. take a large pinch of raspberry, nettle, and Chamomile. A smaller pinch of nettle, oatstraw, and mint. A very small pinch of Dandelion, which is very bitter HOWEVER this root has the vitamin K you need for birth.