Finally had a bloods tested !!!

[Oscarsaurus]

I finally had my bloods taken last Friday and my GP surgery rang me yesterday afternoon, well the receptionist rang . I have been prescribed folic acid and ferrous sulfate tabs , considering my GP told me " oh your bloods were fine when you had your gallbladder removed in August ". I insisted they be done so finally she listened and did i prove her wrong !!! I read that anti seizure drugs can cause low folate levels , well i have taken Gabapentin for over 4 years now so why did no one ever tell me ! I am relieved i have the results finally and fingers crossed once my levels are higher that my restless legs will improve but i still have a long way to go as i will have to wean off my mirapex first but ive decided to wait till Christmas and New Year are over . If i hadnt come on this forum i would never of known everything i do and insisted my bloods be taken . I dont know what i would do without you all and thank you all for your continued support

[Hidden]

Delighted things are progressing. Long live Iron!!!!

[Oscarsaurus in reply to Hidden]

Thanks raffs...fingers crossed my RLS is down to my low iron levels

[Kikicats in reply to Oscarsaurus]

But folate is a B vitamin, not iron?

[LotteM]

Well done for insisting. Did you request a copy of the results with the actual numbers? I find it necessary to keep track myself, because docs just say “normal” and don’t look back to see whether things have improved etc. At least mine doesn’t.

[Oscarsaurus in reply to LotteM]

I am going to make an app to see my new GP soon so im going to ask him because i think he realises how important it is to me now. Im just annoyed that if gps know Gabapentin and other anti seizure drugs lowers your folate levels so much that why isnt it routine to check our bloods. I realise in the US that maybe patients can request alot more than us in the UK , as you have to pay . However here sometimes to get what we really need we have to pay also which is wrong...our NHS unfortunately doesnt always have the funds. However my new GP seems promising so hopefully i can finally get sorted once and for all

[LotteM in reply to Oscarsaurus]

Good plan. Make sure you get there armed with the relevant information, e.g. with te Allaying augmentation paper, in which you highlight the lines in the opioid section about their usefulness in dealing with dopamine agonist withdrawal.

[Oscarsaurus in reply to LotteM]

I will do LotteM , i asked him previously to prescribe me some codeine but as im weaning off morphine( which i was taking for back and joint pain but when i reached 80mg a day and i was still in pain i decided no more so best to wean ) he said no as its opiate based so i cant win . However when i wean off the Pramipexole i will need codeine so with the info off here i can prove i need it . Thank you for all your advice

[involuntarydancer in reply to Oscarsaurus]

A diagnosis of low iron is always good news for rls sufferers as there is the hope that raising levels will improve the symptoms. I really hope that happens for you Oscarsaurus. I would second Lotte's suggestion of requesting the actual figure. Here in Ireland we pay for our blood tests but they only cost €35 or so - I would have thought it would be in the interests of the NHS to cover the cost of regular testing as it can obviate the need for more expensive intervention. Good luck and keep posting.

[Oscarsaurus in reply to involuntarydancer]

So sorry to hear that you have to pay for all health costs we are lucky in the UK . I will get the readings of my blood tests when i visit my gp next. Thank you

[Svengolly]

What is your ferritin level ?

[Oscarsaurus in reply to Svengolly]

I dont know because i never asked the receptionist, as she may not of given me the correct results. I am due to see my gp soon so i will ask him when i can see them myself . Im guessing they were quite low given that i was prescribed ferrous sulfate and folic acid

[Svengolly]

I have found the only way to succeed is to be a full partner ... ie keep track of all test results, do research , present your research to the doc when needed ... be pro-active .

[Hidden]

I have Essential Tremor and so must take anti-seizure drugs. I have just made the connection thanks to your post! I'll bet my iron levels are even lower because of those drugs. I am going to be tested for my levels ASAP and would bet the ranch I need good quality iron supplement. I have also just been iron deficient borderline all my life.

People - if you're not paying attention to your iron levels, DO SO!!

Sydney

[Oscarsaurus]

I am so pleased i have helped you in some way at least. I think our gps should be making us aware of the risks as its definitely not listed on the usual side effects of anti seizure drugs. Let me know what your gp says and i hope you get your iron levels sorted