I guess he is right, after 2 emergency room visits in 2 weeks with a 3 day stay each time and a visit to the hospital once inbetween. 9 pints of blood in 17 days . multiple scopes in both ends an angyogram and other isotope blood tests I never heard of. The last test which I am awaiting results of was a camera pill that I swallowed and hopefully pooped out. On the last scope they said they found a leak in the small intestine that they welded up. I've been feeling better since that one. They put me in the CCU. I didn't even know what that meant and they said they were expecting me to have a heart attack. First ER 3 day stay I got 3 pints a few days later they sent me back in to outpatient for 2 more pints. 2nd 3 day ER visit I got 4 pints. I was so darn weak one set of steps was all I could handle without laying down to recoup. The doc told my wife I was close to dying. If any of you fellas feel weak and light headed with no energy get checked ASAP. It might save your life.

 

Good advice!!!


Prayers sent for your health.


Ryan

 

Sorry to hear about this stellar, but at least you know what the problem is now. Hang in there and do what the doc says. Pittsburgh guys are tough to keep down.

 

Have they figured out the cause?

 

I've been out of the hospital for 2 weeks. feeling stronger every day. Doc says it will be a long time before I get the iron and blood back where it should be. Going berry picking today. I will be trying to avoid big hills and long walks. I just need to remember if I think I have enough strength to get there doesn't mean I will have enough to get back. It should be fun and a good test as to my condition. I've had 2 bags of interveinious iron in the last 2 weeks, but the doc said it takes a month for it to start to help. He said 6 months to a year as I have no iron in my bone marrow to make blood. And that is only if the leak has stopped.

 

They found a leaker in the small intestine and welded it up. They told me a blood vessle in the intestine wall will pop out and leak and then retract back so they can only see it if it is active when doing the scope. That is one of the reasons I had to swallow a camera pill, so they can see the rest of the small intestine. The scopes don't go far enough to see most of the small intestine. From the way I now feel and the color of my poop I think they got the problem. 6 years ago I had a stomach bleed with the same symptoms and they said I was close to death then too. Being hard headed and stupid is a bad combo. I think I learned this time. I have a terrible dislike and fear of hospitals and doctors offices. I don't even like to visit people in the hospital. I went most of my life without them except when I broke something or couldn't walk. When I got run over on my motorcycle by a tractor trailer on I 10 in New Mexico I wouldn't let them take me to the hospital. I did go 2 days later.

 

Glad to hear your on the mend. One more recommendation to thread readers. Go give blood. I give 4 or 5 times a year (just a coincidence they give a jacket for 4 donations a year +I always seem to go when they're giving T shirts ) I have O negative blood so it's in demand. I gave my first donation in May 1970 at Fort Gordon while in MP school. 17 people took the time and effort to give blood and it's good to hear about the happy ending. Good luck.

 

Hopefully they got you fixed up.

 

Kennybill, thanks for the blood. Without it I would not be here now.

 

Hate to hear anyone is in bad health. Take care and spend as much time as you can with the family. Hope you overcome what's ailing you.

 

Sorry to hear about your illness but it sounds like your on the road to recovery. Good luck and God bless.
Steve

 

Having had a burst blood vessel in my colon, I can relate to what you went through. Even though unpleasant, always get the recommended testing procedures completed. The swallowed miniature camera was surreal but it was the least intrusive. Keep well.

 

Years ago my Mom had pernicious anemia. They like to have never diagnosed it. She took a B-12 shot once a month for the rest of her life and was fine until she developed alzhiemers. Good luck in your recovery.

 

As a long time blood donor, I'm always happy to hear stories about blood recipients with happy endings. At 67 my health is very good (knocking on wood, my head) and IMO it has to being a long time blood donor. One week after I give blood I have more energy (I've been told it's because of the newly made blood cells are more efficient) there are other benefits also but I don't want to write a book here. I know you'll have an enjoyable Holiday.

 

Wow, Stellar. That's a heckuva thing.

What was your "H&H" when you first went to the ER? It's amazing how low it can go sometimes, and you're still upright.

Those small intestinal bleeds can really be an SOB, because they're so hard to find. I hope the one they did find was all there was, and that you get back to being your old self really soon. Keep as active as you possibly can - in the end, the acclimations your body made to to low iron from the constant bleeding will probably make you feel stronger once everything is back as it should be.

Eat lots of red meat, as its iron is much more useable than any other form - the body has a very efficient mechanism to take the entire protein group that contains the iron molecule as a unit, and use it as-is, without breaking it down further. If you get iron from non-meat sources (like vegetables or supplements), you need to take in a lot more iron to get the same result.

... And, if you are taking an iron supplement, take a laxative as well, otherwise they'll be calling you "Rocky" the next time you visit the ER, because you can't go.

Get well soon!

- Eric

 

Eric, I'm not sure what these numbers mean except that I was very weak. Hemoglobin was 5 hemocrit was 18. Last hemoglobin was 7.8 9 days ago, don't know what last crit was. I feel a lot better now and went berry picking yesterday and today. Lots of hills around here and I managed without the extreme rapid heart rate and can't breath problem. Before a set of steps wiped me out, so it seems I am getting stronger every day. Next blood test in 2 weeks

 

Sounds like your Hgb is about half what it should be right now, but it's a lot better than it was before.

The he fact that you walked up hills without panting like a pup means that your system did acclimate somewhat to the adverse conditions - sort of like living at high altitudes - most people would be short of breath if they climbed with numbers like yours.

A Hgb of 5 is damn low, but young, very fit people can sometimes tolerate numbers slightly lower for short periods.

Overall, it it sounds like you're doing great and will recover completely!

- Eric

 

Thanks Eric. Glad you think 65 is young. The cigaretts don't help. I need to quit them soon. Working on it now. 52 years of that stuff with 3 pack a day for many of the last years doesn't bode well. I'll do the red meat, liver is about my least liked food. Doc said I have no iron in my bone marrow to produce new blood. I'll be working on the iron. Now I need to find some work I can do to pay the doc bills. So far I'm very happy with the improvement.