My Blood Type is A Negative

[Princess-Snake]

How do I know this? That's what the nurse told me right before she prepared a blood bag for my transfusion in the emergency room yesterday. I also found yesterday that I'm anemic. Funny thing is I felt completely fine when my dad called me up and told me he was picking me up from work becuase of the low blood count. They first suspected it on Thursday when I had the original blood work done, so they took another sample on Saturday and didn't tell us about the lack of blood until yesterday. Does anyone else see the flaw here? Now granted, the hospital I originally go to for check ups had no idea about the results of the retake until yesterday, but the hospital where I got the blood drawn knew all weekend but waited until yesterday to deliver the results although they were told the results had to be reported to my primary hospital immidiately, as in, as soon as they found out. And the final blood count after the retake was approximatly
6.2 which is (I think) nearly half what the normal count ought to be. I have other issues with this hospital, but thank the gods I only (for the most part) have to deal with them when I need blood drawn. Unfortunately, my primary hospital told me to go the hospital closest to us for the transfusion, and that happened to be the mostly-used-for-blood-draws-hospital. There were irritations and outright asshole syndrome during my stay, but that's done with now. I'm back home and primary hospital has ordered me to take Vitamin C and Iron supplements as well as some shot once a week (which the emergency room was supposed to give me during my stay, but they claimed they never received the order. Hey, uh, doc, far be it from me to tell you what to do, but I can see the email with my primary doctor's orders open on your computer. I know, because I have a printed version of the email my dad gave to me upon picking me up right in my hands.) so that needs to be filled. Anyways, I'm home, tired, and I have a killer of a headache. Oh, and before anyone asks, no one has any idea what caused the anemia.

[Amina516]

Holy crap. Your hemoglobin was 6.2? I am appalled that the hospital SAT on that. It could have been a huge liability had something happened to you. Im glad you got it treated, in the mean time, take care of yourself and take your meds as prescribed.

ETA: Hemoglobin average is usually about 14, it varies for people.

[Der Cute]

Holy crap. Your hemoglobin was 6.2? I am appalled that the hospital SAT on that. It could have been a huge liability had something happened to you. Im glad you got it treated, in the mean time, take care of yourself and take your meds as prescribed.

ETA: Hemoglobin average is usually about 14, it varies for people.

If you're getting iron supp- MAKE SURE you get stool softner!!!! btdt

[Princess-Snake]

If you're getting iron supp- MAKE SURE you get stool softner!!!! btdt

I'm almost afraid to ask, but why?

[lupo pazzesco]

because iron backs you up something fierce. Drink lotsa fluids, get a stool softener, you should be fine.

[CaroPhoenix]

because iron backs you up something fierce. Drink lotsa fluids, get a stool softener, you should be fine.

I take iron supplements. I'm anemic (not as serverely as you - I think mine was like a 10 or 11, but my doc still recommended iron supplements).

As for backing you up? It might you because you're really anemic. As for me? Not too much. And depending on the brand, iron supplements actually make me gassy. I take a local grocery store brand, and it's fine.

I'm also A Negative. I didn't find that out until I got pregnant. (Never needed a blood transfusion, and never donated blood - tried to a few times, but my temp was always a little too high).

Fun part about being A Negative? No one in my family can give me blood! My Mom is A Positive, my Dad is B Positive, and my sister is AB Positive. It's rare, but two Positives can produce a Negative. (Yay me!) Actually, my BIL (sister's husband) is the only one in my immediate family who can give me blood.

[NotSoInnocent]

I'm never allowed to donate blood, even though I'm O+.

Not because of "risky behavior". Not because of high temps. Not because of some communicable disease.

It's because my hemoglobin levels never get above 8.3.

My body doesn't process iron properly. Iron supplements get my levels up to 8.2 from an average of 7.3. No doctor has ever figured out why my body does this (much like no optometrist has figured out why I have swollen optic nerves). It doesn't seem to affect my life much, but it could be because I'm simply used to feeling a little slower than other people. Or because having four kids would make -anyone- tired.

*hugs* Here's hoping that your iron levels improve.

[Megg]

Eek! That's scary! My blood type is B negative. The really odd coincidence, so is my hubby's. Hence, so is my daughter's. I guess we can have a blood party, or something. *shudder* I am also not allowed to donate blood, but it's because my mom had Hepatitis B when she was pregnant with me, and apparently I developed antibodies to the disease, and so can not donate. Thanks, Sperm Donor!

I hope you feel better, PrincessSnake! I took iron as well, I am anemic as heck, and I would definitely recommend tons of water, if not necessarily stool softeners.

[Nurian]

I'm sorry to hear about your anemia, but it could always be worse. We're sending good thoughts your way.

[BarbieGirl]

When I remember to I take Slow FE or any slow release store brand. Seems to help and I've never had a problem with my iron supplements.

[ApolloSZ]

To sum it up in my succint statement - "Well that sucks. "
Good thoughts going your way.


Aside, my blood bank loves me. I'm O positive, and have an (apparently) really really good Iron count.

[XCashier]

It's rare, but two Positives can produce a Negative.

Happened with me, too. Mom and Dad're both O positive, brother is O positive, I'm O Negative. Go figure.

[wagegoth]

When I was pregnant, the iron supplement made me thoroughly nauseated. The health food store owner referred me to a vegetable-based iron supplement called Gentle Iron. It's made by Solgar. It worked great for me. If you can't stomach the regular iron pills, give it a try.

[Der Cute]

Iron poo.

I'm almost afraid to ask, but why?

Sorry it took so long: Iron is KNOWN to cause constipation.

During my pregnancy, I was low on iron, and told to take supplements. So I did, and right along with the supps the stool softener was prescribed to me.

But it was also 3rd trimester - another constipator.

So, if you're doing iron, hehe, start out with metamucil/fiber, and see how that goes. Pun intended. You may NOT need a softener. Fiber & water, and always ALWAYS have food in your stomach when you pop your iron pill.

I would eat dinner, let it sit for a few, pop the iron, and chug some OJ (vitamin C helps absorption)

Hope you feel ok!

Cutenoob

[Princess-Snake]

I'm drinking 4 liters of water a day and take a Vitamin C supplement after I take the iron. I also eat before I take my supplements anyway, so HOPEFULLY I should be ok. After I went to the bathroom, it did look a little watery after I took my first dose, but then it looked normal after that. Oh, and another thing I forgot to mention. Before all of this transfusion chaos, I discovered that I should NEVER ever again eat take out Chinese food. The effects are unpleasant. Which is odd because I have had take out Chinese food before with the transplant and have felt fine afterward. Then again, that's exactly what happened with pizza too. *sigh*