Sick and Tired

Yes - I'm sick and tired. Also known as anaemic. This happens more often than I'd like (I'd like NEVER) and every time I don't recognise the problem until I can barely get out of bed. I just sort of brush off the early symptoms as sleep deprivation and laziness.

I hit the lowest point on Friday. I went to bed at 7.30pm and got up at 8.30am Saturday. Then I had a two hour nap in the morning and another three hour nap in the afternoon. I said to G "can you feed the cat, I don't think I can get out of bed". It was hearing myself say this that made me slap my forehead and say "Der! your'e anaemic you idiot". Well, if I'd had the energy to slap my forehead that's what I would have done.

So I've started on the iron supplements and I'm already feeling a lot better. I had PT on Friday and then again today and the difference in my strength and ability to do stuff without dying is amazing. PT gave me heavier weights than usual and they were easier than Friday's lighter ones.

I have had periods of anaemia over the past 20 years because I'm just not very good at absorbing iron. The remedy is always: reduce blood donations (which I only do once a year max now), take a supplement (doing that now), try to eat more red meat (for some reason three times a week just isn't enough for me) and hope for an early menopause. So although I'm self-diagnosing and have not had a haem test yet, I'm very likely correct but I'm still going to the doctor for a "real" diagnosis.

So today I thought I'd post a few interesting snippets re: iron deficiency and anaemia:

First, here's a link to a good overview of the condition/s.
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/anaemia?open

...and a note about exercise increasing iron needs
Exercise – athletes are prone to iron deficiency because regular exercise increases the body’s need for iron in a number of ways; for example, hard training promotes red blood cell production, while iron is lost through sweating.

Ok, so I'm not an "athlete" but I sure as hell sweat a lot!

Remember though - be VERY careful with self diagnosis. I have persistent, chronic anaemia but I'm still going to the doctor just to make sure. Self diagnosing can be dangerous and excessive iron supplementation can make you very sick. Keep iron supplements AWAY from children - they are quite toxic to little ones.