Anemia

[vnett]

Is iron deficiency anemia a common symptom of RA?

[MadBunny]

Yes I developed it a few years ago and was put on a course of iron supplements ( prescribed by GP as requested by Rheumatology) . It improved and has been ok since. I was also B12 deficient so had an intensive course of injections and now have a booster every 12 weeks.

[vnett in reply to MadBunny]

Thanks for rep;y. I too am taking iron supplements and B12 hoping to improve as well. Glad you’ve seen an improvement.

[MadBunny in reply to vnett]

Hopefully you will. All the best 🤗

[Amnesiac3637]

It’s very common. Inflammation, and particularly chronic inflammation, reduces your body’s chances of storing red blood cells. Many people when they’re first diagnosed and before they have a treatment plan and are stabilised, are anaemic. Sometimes you can be low in ferritin (stored iron) if you’re on stomach protection long term but you may not necessarily be anaemic so it’s a balancing act for the medics whether to give a course of iron replacement or wait and see. Occasionally, if you are anaemic, you’ll be given a three month course of oral iron which can stabilise you for months whilst your disease is also stabilised.

[vnett in reply to Amnesiac3637]

Thanks for info. I am on oral iron and have made some dietary changes so am hoping that my next bloodwork shows improvement. My problem is that I also have severe GERD issues and osteoporosis along with the RA. With all the meds I take for everything my stomach and esophagus are both a mess. A recent EGD and CT done to check for any bleeding leading to the anemia showed my stomach to be filled with polyps. The doctor was unable to adequately check the bottom of my stomach so I will return in two months to try again. I was on a PPI for GERD for too long and they believe that has caused this and possibly the anemia. That med has been changed and the new one is not working. It is now a wait and see at this point. Too many meds!!! May I ask if you suffered from extreme fatigue and nausea (including frequent vomiting) while anemic?

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to vnett]

Poor you, that all sounds as if you’ve been left a long time before anything was investigated. Hope you have some better results very soon and are sorted out so your stomach issues are resolved.

I had anaemia when I was first diagnosed 33 years ago, had a gastric and duodenal ulcer due to taking indomethacin and steroids without having any stomach protection ( not prescribed that long ago and indomethacin wrecked gut flora) and had severe nausea and vomiting. I’ve also, over the years and relatively frequently, had low ferritin levels due to being on stomach protection - esomeprazole and the like can stop absorption of iron - but my rheumatologist gives me three months of iron pills and it rectifies the problem.

I was a Practice Sister in a former life and many rheumatology patients have digestive problems and anaemia due to the many medications we all have to swallow to make us better………!

Good luck to you and feel better soon.

[vnett in reply to Amnesiac3637]

Thank you so much. I am sorry that you have had so many issues for so long. My journey began in 2018 and has taken this long for me to see many improvements and now some new challenges. It is oddly comforting to know that you and others know what I am experiencing and can give encouragement and insights. Take care and have those wonderful good days!

[Wannabeabago in reply to vnett]

Sorry about your GERD, I get it, it sux. Sometimes I have to stop eating almost everything and go back to what I know heals my stomach.

Organic Miso soup with boiled cabbage and baby spinach leaves (the little round ones) and some of the soft tofu, white fish, steamed veggies, chicken mince or breast with no fat, white rice if you can tolerate it. Seriously good for stomach repair.

No caffeine, sparkling drinks, I already don’t drink alcohol so that’s no issue nor do I smoke, no chocolate or crap food. You’ll be amazed by the result 😊

[Madmusiclover]

yes. I am slightly megoblastic anaemic (live with it and b12 etc all vg) and normal anaemic without iron tablets. I can only tolerate Floradix though. Prescribed iron tablets very tough on my insides. I also had an initial iron infusion to get me topped up. Was definitely tired (but am anyway with RA). Main symptom I noticed was breathlessness and light headed. No vomiting though.

[vnett in reply to Madmusiclover]

As I read about your issues and others I now can see that my symptoms are very likely from RA and treatment of it. Knowing helps. Thank you and feel better!

[Shonkie]

Yes that all sounds familiar, especially the stomach problems from medication. My rheumy told me that I am permanently anaemia as my bone marrow cannot make enough red blood cells, due to the inflammation, nothing to be done. Sigh! Hope you have some improvement in it all, life with our stuff can very trying.

[Leics]

The only time I was slightly anaemic was after major surgery. I have the opposite problem my HB is usually quite high and so is my red cell count. I do suffer with stomach problems with frequent loose bowel issues but even then it doesn’t affect my HB. Thank goodness I don’t have issues with vomiting even though I have frequent nausea. Hoping your doc will sort the anaemia out for you as I know it can make you extremely tired.

[oldtimer2]

Usually the anaemia of chronic inflammation (that occurs with less than perfectly controlled Rheumatoid Disease) is a widespread suppression of cell production in the bone marrow. It's not a B12 deficiency or an iron deficiency anaemia, both of which require investigation separately. However, these can occur as part of the general debility that goes with a chronic illness and poor absorption.

[Green230461]

Not sure but my GP has just gone into a big flap about it and given me three months worth of tablets!

[wilbertjellyfish in reply to Green230461]

I found that if I had breakfast before my routine bloods my iron was low and the GP had to get it rechecked.Last year I saw a haematologist...about something else. He asked if it affected me, I was like how would I know??

He did some other tests and it's just anaemia of chronic disease.

[Green230461 in reply to wilbertjellyfish]

Thank you