Hi everyone. On a train to Southampton and our cruise.... But there we are in Plymouth railway station when my GP surgery called and told me I may have Simple Anaemia. Not sure if the Lady at the office said simple or not¿?? Anyway I am booked in to see my GP when we get back.
I am almost a vegan of some 35 years and will be dosing up on vitamin b12 and folic acid as soon as we get near a pharmacy
Any tips or knowledge please fire away!
We are going to take it really easy on this 11 day cruise and I will be on a mega healthy diet.
It may well the "the anaemia of chronic illness" - extremely common in autoimmune disorders. So make sure the GP understands it isn't just a case of chucking iron at it ...
Have a wonderful time - no point me telling you to enjoy a few steaks though is there My daughter and grandaughter are both vegan and here for xmas - oh dear ...
I’ve only ever seen a Doctor on Board a couple of times, one was Complimentary (Norovirus) & the other was for Sea Sickness in a Storm Force 10 & that was about £140 for an injection but l’d have happily paid more than that!
Honestly some cruises do have Doctors. A lady who has had longterm PMR and posts else where, her daughter is a Doctor and has spent the last 8 years wokring on Cruise ships. She loves seeing places, but next year will be her last as she has found her soul mate.
Year of Hurricane - we set off on the QE2 for 3 weeks. I had sold a house down South and moved North. My friend had retired early and as I don't fly (ear problems) and we wanted to see the Caribbean.......off we went via NY etc.
Whilst on board my friend had a nasty fall and concussion. Doctor and Nurse looked after her, one night on a type of ward then for 5 days a visit everyday. Luckily by the time we met her relatives in Baltimore she was tickety boo.
I eventually bought a lightweight one (about £99). It lives in the garage and comes out when necessary.
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I have a USA Medicare card as I worked there for 15 years. My wife is American. I’m still unsure what it covers! I am not going back full time but must for family occasions and that scares me.....
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I forgot to mention that we do have travel insurance thru Barclays. My conditions are all accepted and covered. Reference Saga I am 68 on the 17th but am a bit juvenile so maybe Saga wouldn't suit me? We have always gone with P and O Cruises up til this month. D
It doesn’t cost that much if you look out for deals. We managed to get an outside cabin with a balcony for £900 each all food included plus plus plus. Butlins would cost more
I have low iron. The first test was haemaglobin, but my new doctor followed up with ferritin and this is what she now checks. Apparently it's possible to have low haemaglobin, which measures iron in your red blood cells, but the ferritin actually stored in the body can be fairly high. This can occur with autoimmune conditions and high ferritin is even considered a marker for inflammation. In my case the ferritin was virtually non-existent so I take a liquid iron supplement which is very easily absorbed and has helped. I'm not vegan but have been vegetarian for many years, so no iron from meat.
I just swallowed some iron supplements along with a vegan pizza at Pizza Express in Southampton. Lovely. Thank you all.
I know iron is a tricky one with specialist diets.
As it's not so easy to pack in the iron as a vegan you may find this tip helpful.
Adding extra Vitamin C at your meals , either as a supplement , or small drink of orange juice or cranberry juice helps you absorb more of the iron you eat .
You may even be able to purchase some appropriate iron supplements on board ship from their Pharmacy with the right advice , or pop and see the ships doctor to get the right stuff straight away without it playing on your mind and spoiling your fun.
You will be able to get more help when you get home.
Have a wonderful trip and don't forget to Pace Yourself !
Thank you... That's why I bought vit c. I knew it wS for a reason but couldn't remember what I had been reading. Right I can add it into the routine now.
Don't drink tea with your meals as plant based iron absorption is cut in half or something. Green tea or black tea. Just as a general practice it's good to remember. I hate tea so never had to do it. Enjoy your holiday... Please try and be well enough so there's no hospital visits! 🚢
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I have tea to. I love Twinings spicy ginger infusion and drink lots of that
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Should have said hate tea.
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I thought you were. My phone turns can't into can or haven't into have. It drives me nuts. But often the context gives it away. A life on the ocean waves....
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My daughter and grandaughter are both vegan and here for xmas - oh dear ...
Anaemia anyone?
Hello..wondering how many of you started on 15 mg, but needed 20 mg 
Anaemia of Inflammation
PMR under 50 without high ESR ????
