Pale face

[Russ65]

Hi,

I had a HA nearly four weeks ago.

Just before discharge I was told that I was anaemic after having to take naproxen and codeine nine weeks previously post operatively after a shoulder reconstruction.

GP put me onto 200mg of ferrous sulphate twice a day. And yet, even after four weeks I am still very pale and lacking energy.

I am 54 years old and this has been my first HA. I wondered if any of you lovely people may have experienced anything similar or have an idea why I'm still anaemic.

[NiNii]

Hi Russ65. I have microcytic anaemia which is characterised by small red blood cells. I am also terribly anaemic despite ferrous sulphate. This is going to sound strange but if you can take the taste of it drink some Guinness. In the West Indies they make what's called Guinness punch. I mix a large tin of Guinness with a tin of Nurishment (you can find it in Asda on the World Foods aisle) and some condensed milk then I have a mug a day. Guinness contains a third of our recommended daily iron intake and in 3 weeks my bloods went from 85 to 102. It's not exactly cheap ( a tin of Guiness from my local shop is £1.38, the nurishment is £1.29 but I wait until it drops to 99p then stock up) and the condensed milk is £1 per tin from Asda. However, I think for me it's a better price to pay than dropping really low and having them wanting to give me a blood transfusion (which I would never have) or iron injections which are awful..

Best of luck

[Russ65 in reply to NiNii]

Thank you for that NiNii. It certainly doesn't sound the nicest of things, but, like you say, better than other forms of treatment.

Take care and I wish you well.