Anybody else with autoimmune anemia?

[WildIris]

My hematocrit and hemoglobin have been going down slowly and are below normal now. I have been tired. I wondered if there's anything I can take for it other than prednisone? I know anemia aggravates afib, as does prednisone. (I've had lupus for 20 years- anemia is the only symptom I've ever had- most of my inflammation markers are normal)

[CDreamer]

I’m also taking immunesuppressants but steroid sparing for the moment as I have osteoporosis. My levels are also constantly low end of normal or under and when I asked my GP they said that it is direct result of the immunesuppressants as I am making enough - just unfortunately the drugs can’t distinguish between the different types of platelets. Annoying isn’t it? Helping one thing tends to cause another. My specialist wants me to reduce my meds now to see if I still have symptoms - I’m rather nervous as it’s took over 3 years to get near where I am now and I’ve been reasonably stable for the past 5 years.

How bad is your fatigue? I have good days and bad - a bad day I can’t do much at all and am exhausted after getting up and showering - good day I can do a 45 min Tai Chi Class and go most of the day as normal - if AF kicks in as well I’m done for days!

[Ppiman]

I realise her case is very different from your own, but a friend's daughter, who has asthma, developed problems following covid infection, and her GP - luckily, and only eventually - found this out when her haematocrit and haemoglobin levels showed to be so low - her inflammation markers were also high, though, unlike you. Prednisolone has been her mainstay but she has been told she will be given low dose methotrexate next. She's doing well and tiredness has been her main symptom.

There seems to be a great deal of exciting research on the autoimmune system in general since covid arrived on the scene, so, let's hope it bears fruit.

Steve

[WildIris in reply to Ppiman]

Right, I've heard that too, though the new drugs are mostly still in testing phase as far as I know. I used to get benlysta infusions before the pandemic, maybe I should start those again. They seemed to help. Thanks!