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Overall, it's been a lousy year

OK, so it hasn't really been that bad a year. I'm not sure how anyone could claim it was a bad year after surviving open heart surgery the previous one?

That is except for me of course. :)

Despite being mostly back to normal, I'm still experiencing the occasional, unexpected ache or pain, which I can't help but worry is a precursor to some other new, unwanted problem.

I've also gained some weight over the past few months, which I'm finding difficult to get rid of, and the shorter days and colder weather, which always seem to occur this time of year, aren't helping the matter either.

Then there's the adventure associated with taking an iron supplement. I've been anemic for the past several years without suffering too many ill effects, so why I felt as though I needed to start taking one now, and endure all the unpleasant side effects, is beyond me.

I'd like to stop (I think it may be attributing some to my weight gain), but my last blood test showed an increase in hemoglobin to 13 g/dl, after hovering between 10 and 12 g/dL for the past 5 years, so I'm reluctant. I'm not sure I feel any difference in energy levels just yet, but I'm hoping, in time, I will.

I am reducing the dosage some, hoping it will help mitigate some of the more obtrusive side effects. It may take longer to build up my iron stores, but the process should be easier to take.

I'm just hoping the new year brings some much needed change. For the better that is.
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Comments

Alan said…
There are various formulations of Iron supplements i.e. ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate etc. Have you tried different preparations? The side effects can differ with each prepearation.
1:08 AM
Marc said…
I tried ferrous gluconate, and that was a disaster. Don't know if it was contaminated or not, but it kept making an infection in my eye flair up each time I took a tablet. I stopped after the second one. Haven't tried fumerate yet. I'll try it after I run out of the sulfate,

My biggest problem is constipation which combined with my enlarged spleen, gets my liver feeling like my spleen. It's very uncomfortable. Plus I feel more tired than when my hemoglobin was lower. Don't understand that.

I think I'm going to try 32.5 mg, half a 65 mg ferrous sulfate tablet every other day, and see how that goes. Then gradually increase after that.
4:31 AM
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