Well, as my last blood test came back with iron levels too low to register (and red cell count drastically lowered as well), my Doc and I decided to try Euro-fer (300 MG) again. Good thing to do, yes?
For the past week or so, I've been feeling crummy by the afternoon - stomach upset, gassy, low grade headache, even irritable. Sounds a little like PMS, and tat's what I thought it was, as a "visitor" came this past Saturday *wink, wink* However this past week it has been getting worse and worse, to the point that the day before I was having stomach cramps, and yesterday it was a battle of will to keep my lunch down. I ended up leaving work early. But before I made the decision to ask if I could leave early I did a little internet research. Turns out that no-one appears to be sure if Euro-fer is Gluten-free. At the least, it is listed as an oral iron suppliment / medication that can be known to irritate any existing inflammitory intestinal problems, of which Celiac is grouped into. This means that my cure is "killing" me! *LOL* Trust me, I have to laugh or I'll go crazy...
Not only do I feel miserable (but as I've stopped taking the iron I know I'll feel much better soon), but I also feel a bit like an idiot for not looking this medication up before asking for it. But not feeling that stupid - after all, when I needed it a few years ago it was shortly after I was diagnosed, and I was still used to all of the symptoms of Celiac so I didn't appear to notice any reaction to the iron at that time. Now that my Celiac is being managed, I noticed the symptoms very much.
I guess I'm posting this to let other Celiacs know that they should be cautious when taking this particular suppliment / medicaton. You may or may not react to it, I just got lucky in that particular lottery and reacted. there are other iron suppliments / medications out there, so it's not like all hope is lost. Just be sure to do some research before you make a choice as to what you figure will work for you, that's all. Once this "gunk" works out of my system I should be feeing better. In my particular case, I think I'll opt for iron infusions this time and go from there. What can I say, in my personal case "Once bitten, twice shy", but that's just me.
Take care, all, and have some fun for once - been boring here lately so stir some stuff up! :)
TTFN
Thursday 18 September 2014
Tuesday 9 September 2014
Funny stuff...
Felt like posting some signs and posters I've bumped into around the internet - just some funny stuff that relates to me at this moment and time... :)
Hope you enjoyed these as much as I did! :)
Monday 8 September 2014
Yep, still here...
What do you mean it's been a month?? Holy schmoley!
I guess an update is in order...
Dad's still doing good on his meds, especially now that he's off of the steroids. It'll be nice to see him get rid of that puffiness around the face that he developed (just the cheek area, but a normal reaction so no worries there).
Mum's good, the lucky one that's healthy *lol*
I'm back on my iron meds as my blood test came back with it too low to register - my red count is way down too because of that. Severe Anemia is common for me, and I've been through this before so I know what to do/expect about it. No, food does not help in my case. Regular suppliments that one can get over the counter do not help, either (10 - 11 mg at a dose - really, you're kidding me, right?) For my particular case, Euro-fer (perscription, not available as OTC) works the best, but getting the timing right for me can be a bit of a Bitch-kitty. One hour before meals, or two to three hours after meals. Sounds simple, right? I don't eat three squares a day, I'm one of those multi but small meals people. It works best for my Celiac and blood sugar, what can I say? Anywho, I'm only taking one a day right now, will work up to two a day. Did I mention that these puppies are 300 mg? Yep, really high dose, so lots of fiber, gang! *lol*
It's only been about a week and a half, so no major difference right now. Will wait about another week or so to get my follow-up blood test done to see if anything's improved. If not, back to iron infusions. That's a process where I get hooked up to an IV for about a couple of hours as an outpatient treatment at my local hospital. Time-consuming, boring, and a little painful as they put the IV in the back of my hand - which makes it hard to read a book as I can't really use my hand due to the IV needle in there. The plus side? Not only does it really work, I get to joke around with a terrific gang of nurses about me being there for Happy Hour - the "stuff" used smells like a strong rum and coke, I kid you not! *LOL*
All of this because I went to see my doctor regarding my migraine headaches. I get one a month (yep, at that time), sometimes 2 (during ovulation), and when the weather acts up. I also get stress/tension headaches, cluster headaches (my term for them, "cluster-fucks"), sinus headaches...it's just the migraines that are a real problem as I end up calling in sick to work. Therefore I use up my sick days well before the end of the year and wind up losing pay every day I'm off. Right now I'm using either Advil or NSAIDS (if it's a bad one) and coffee (if my stomach can handle it) and sleep to "cure" one, but I'm hoping that my Doctor can suggest something that'll knock it back a notch or two and leave me still capable of doing my job. I don't care if it gets rid of the migraine completely, I just want to be able to go to work and function without too much brain fog.
Well then, I guess that covers it. Say, if any of you are jonesing for a glamour fix for the day, check out this blog called "It's the Pictures That Got Small" (bonus points if you know where the name came from). There's lotsof amazing photography of major stars from the 1920's up to the 1960's and even 1970's. And he's just recently started posting men's pics on rare occasion - who says men can't be glamorous?? Anywho, enjoy the site and the incredible pics! :)
TTFN
I guess an update is in order...
Dad's still doing good on his meds, especially now that he's off of the steroids. It'll be nice to see him get rid of that puffiness around the face that he developed (just the cheek area, but a normal reaction so no worries there).
Mum's good, the lucky one that's healthy *lol*
I'm back on my iron meds as my blood test came back with it too low to register - my red count is way down too because of that. Severe Anemia is common for me, and I've been through this before so I know what to do/expect about it. No, food does not help in my case. Regular suppliments that one can get over the counter do not help, either (10 - 11 mg at a dose - really, you're kidding me, right?) For my particular case, Euro-fer (perscription, not available as OTC) works the best, but getting the timing right for me can be a bit of a Bitch-kitty. One hour before meals, or two to three hours after meals. Sounds simple, right? I don't eat three squares a day, I'm one of those multi but small meals people. It works best for my Celiac and blood sugar, what can I say? Anywho, I'm only taking one a day right now, will work up to two a day. Did I mention that these puppies are 300 mg? Yep, really high dose, so lots of fiber, gang! *lol*
It's only been about a week and a half, so no major difference right now. Will wait about another week or so to get my follow-up blood test done to see if anything's improved. If not, back to iron infusions. That's a process where I get hooked up to an IV for about a couple of hours as an outpatient treatment at my local hospital. Time-consuming, boring, and a little painful as they put the IV in the back of my hand - which makes it hard to read a book as I can't really use my hand due to the IV needle in there. The plus side? Not only does it really work, I get to joke around with a terrific gang of nurses about me being there for Happy Hour - the "stuff" used smells like a strong rum and coke, I kid you not! *LOL*
All of this because I went to see my doctor regarding my migraine headaches. I get one a month (yep, at that time), sometimes 2 (during ovulation), and when the weather acts up. I also get stress/tension headaches, cluster headaches (my term for them, "cluster-fucks"), sinus headaches...it's just the migraines that are a real problem as I end up calling in sick to work. Therefore I use up my sick days well before the end of the year and wind up losing pay every day I'm off. Right now I'm using either Advil or NSAIDS (if it's a bad one) and coffee (if my stomach can handle it) and sleep to "cure" one, but I'm hoping that my Doctor can suggest something that'll knock it back a notch or two and leave me still capable of doing my job. I don't care if it gets rid of the migraine completely, I just want to be able to go to work and function without too much brain fog.
Well then, I guess that covers it. Say, if any of you are jonesing for a glamour fix for the day, check out this blog called "It's the Pictures That Got Small" (bonus points if you know where the name came from). There's lotsof amazing photography of major stars from the 1920's up to the 1960's and even 1970's. And he's just recently started posting men's pics on rare occasion - who says men can't be glamorous?? Anywho, enjoy the site and the incredible pics! :)
TTFN
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