I'm New... Just want to know I'm not alone... - Women's Health

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I'm New... Just want to know I'm not alone...

Lotus-Blossom profile image
22 Replies

2018 Dec - Took a life threatening haemorrhage from the abdomen as I lost all my blood in the process, yet I'm still weak in my arms and legs, strength wise. Whenever I see a doctor I'm always asking them "should I still be this weak?" and they say "Yes." They don't even look surprised I'm still weak as they explain that my body has been through a huge ordeal as I was close to death as 2 teams saved my life.

Has anyone experienced this, because it would be nice to speak to someone who has been through it. As it would assure me that I will get my strength back in time.

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Lotus-Blossom profile image
Lotus-Blossom
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22 Replies
wobblybee profile image
wobblybeeAdministratorPioneer

😕 I’ve never experienced this myself, but I realise it must leave you feeling exhausted. Have you had to have iron intravenously 🤔 Type ‘blood’ in the searchbox (above left), to see links to other post that may be helpful.

‘Because iron, which is required to produce red blood cells, is lost as a result of bleeding, most people who have anemia due to bleeding need to take iron supplements, usually tablets, for several months. Sometimes they are given iron intravenously’.

Lotus-Blossom profile image
Lotus-Blossom in reply towobblybee

I was given iron pills long after I came out of the hospital as I didn't know how severely anaemic I was till my own doctor wanted an iron blood test. So I was put on to iron pills for months until one doctor told me to come off them which I did. I can't help but wonder at times if I should ask my doctor if I should go back on it.

wobblybee profile image
wobblybeeAdministratorPioneer in reply toLotus-Blossom

🤔If you haven’t been seen for a while by your Specialist or GP, it seems reasonable to ask for an appointment, discussion and possibly blood tests would give you peace of mind.

Lotus-Blossom profile image
Lotus-Blossom in reply towobblybee

Thanks I will definitely get onto it for peace of mind. Thanks.

Tracey0101 profile image
Tracey0101 in reply towobblybee

I lost almost all my blood many years ago and I was put on iron tablets for a long time and I felt very weak and exhausted for a long time but I did get stronger and better in time just give your body time to heal its been through so much and it needs you to give time to your body just be patient with your body and have compassion with your body and love you. Take care of yourself you need it and deserve it and give yourself love and take each day at a time you can't rush yourself so be gentle to you and think happy thoughts and don't push yourself too much you will heal in time. God is a great healer and I don't know if you believe in God but there is power in prayer that there times when God heals and sometimes he doesn't heal we don't know all the answers but we know that God gives us miracles. I have come a long way from where I was. I have had so many miracles and answered prayers that doesn't mean that I don't still not struggle because I am in horrendous pain each moment 24/7 and its really awful and hard and difficult. I am still waiting to see a Neurologist for a diagnosis of FND and I have a blood test for Sjogrens syndrome 17th May this Friday. I already have fybromyagia osteoarthritis reynards sciatica Cerebral palsy I have cornea distrophy hearing problems EDS hypermobility and caterats and I have a bad groin on my left side at the moment and I have autism adhd and learning disabilities and ptsd psychosis depression and anxiety disorder and maybe more that I haven't had diagnosis yet for. Just keeps adding to having and getting but that's life we go through these symptoms and conditions and illnesses but we get through each day.

wobblybee profile image
wobblybeeAdministratorPioneer in reply toTracey0101

I’m so sorry..being diagnosed with multiple conditions, combined with lack of understanding…must be overwhelming.

Tracey0101 profile image
Tracey0101 in reply towobblybee

Very overwhelming and thanks because it's very hard and I also have bipolar it's very overwhelming and difficult because even though some of my symptoms haven't yet been diagnosed and what my doctor has said that it doesn't mean that I don't have the conditions it's just that I didn't reach the criteria for the diagnosis but they said that I have still got the symptoms of those conditions so she Said we still have to be aware of my symptoms even though they didn't fit for a diagnosis for certain conditions I have still got the symptoms for them.

wobblybee profile image
wobblybeeAdministratorPioneer in reply toTracey0101

After many stressful years of coping with increasing Vestibular issues….I was finally diagnosed with Cerebellar Ataxia. This effects far more than basic balance.

It turned out ….that wasn’t the end of my ‘journey’.

There are NUMEROUS types..some are genetic..all are degenerative…and genetic testing doesn’t always find a link.

Neurological ‘conditions’….can often be very difficult to diagnose accurately, symptoms can ‘overlap’…or mimic. Testing needs to be very specific.

🤔 Currently..I’m waiting for results of Whole Genome Sequencing…DNA is screened to find links. So 🤞

Lotus-Blossom profile image
Lotus-Blossom in reply towobblybee

Good Luck with your results wobblybee. 🤞🤞

Lotus-Blossom profile image
Lotus-Blossom in reply toTracey0101

Thank you for your beautiful kind words. Yes I do believe in the power of prayer to motivate me to do something about it. But I know deep down like you just said "I need to be kind to myself."

I'm also sorry to hear about your multiple conditions you do sound like a very strong willed person (fighter) as nothing will stand in your way, which is a great quality to have. But remember to be kind to your self as well.

Thank you for those beautiful words and for sharing your story with me, very moving. Should you need to speak to someone, I'm here.

Tracey0101 profile image
Tracey0101 in reply toLotus-Blossom

Yes we go through the miry clay and come out of it through God's strength as it would be very difficult for me to actually be able to leave my front door and I have only just believe this truth about we prison ourselves and make ourselves housebound I done it for 2yrs plus and I couldn't leave the front door or even leave my bed but recently I realised that I'm prisoning myself and housebound myself and limiting myself and believing that I cannot go out because I believe all the lies that I couldn't go out but it was lies to stop me going out and feeling better because the enemy doesn't want me or anyone to know that actually life is much more bigger outside than inside that life outside is where you find real true life and its gets bigger and better than all our battles and struggles and illnesses that's where the gold treasures are if we will to search our life and our purpose and keep going and keep fighting life as a strong warrior if we don't try and give it a go then we will never know what in the gold treasures if we don't keep searching and keep learning and keep going on through the difficulties and troubles in life and keep going no matter what we feel. The beauty of life the fresh air on our faces and the lovely breeze and the birds making sounds and the animals and people greeting each other and helping others and each other and smiling at each other and doing their very best in life and no matter what we are going through we can still reach others and smile at them and its contagious smiling at each other and then they smile ag others and it grows and grows and we smile on more others too and it makes a big difference to those we smiled at and they smiled at more as well through one person smiled at them and made a difference to their day so they smiled at others on their way and back home and we don't know how many people we made a difference to and they may have needed that to build them up and it made them smile and a bit more happier than they were before they seen someone smiled at them and they may have smiled at others as well and they made them also smiled as well as I have been here too. It's just really amazing making us smile and we feel better and we needed a boost from someone and it made a big difference to us and then we could smile again others who we met. We are then spreading God's love all around where we go in our day in the world if we didn't go out then we are missing out on life we don't who we will meet that we could have a big effect on their lives and they can have a big effect on ours too. That we can touch so many people to just do our best that is all God wants us to do when we help others we are pouring God's grace and love on others and God's giving us love and blessings on us as well as we don't know how many people we are reaching and touching their lives and its really amazing what we are doing whe we do it when we go out and bless each other day by day Amen it's so amazing Amen and Amen God is such a good God.

Lotus-Blossom profile image
Lotus-Blossom in reply toTracey0101

Thank you for those beautiful words, god bless you. Until recently this year I started to feel restless which is good. So I'm trying to go out on my own at times. But my Doctor is arranging therapy for me after my ordeal so I can open up. I do feel my pain and depression is holding me back. But equally I don't want this to wreck my 40's hence the help. Thanks again for those beautiful words you have given me a lot to think about. 👍

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27

I don't have personal experience of this but it sounds pretty traumatic on your body. I can understand you would be frustrated to still feel weak so long after.

The thing that comes to my mind is nutrient deficiencies. I've had high iron in the past, and have donated blood in an attempt to bring my levels down again. My ferritin levels dropped by 1/3 after giving just 1pt.

I imagine medications you had to take after will have also reduced your ability to absorb nutrients from your food too.

I'm obviously not an expert here, but I would want to investigate what deficiencies can cause weakness, TEST to check your own levels, and supplement if you find any of your results are low. Don't supplement without testing.

You can test via the likes of Medichecks, Blue Horizons, Thriva.

Sorry I don't have any other advice, I hope you improve soon!

Lotus-Blossom profile image
Lotus-Blossom in reply toCooper27

Thanks. When my doctor contacts me again I will consider bringing it up to her as I have to watch what I take because of my underactive thyroid. Thanks for your kind words.

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27 in reply toLotus-Blossom

This could also be relevant - your thyroid could be contributing to weakness.

Are you in England? As your surgery is supposed to make test results available online. Your surgery should test ferritin, B12, vitamin D and folate as standard if you have thyroid issues. If you can get a hold of them, then share your results on the Thyroid UK part of the site and people will be able to suggest how to supplement safely around your thyroid medication :)

Lotus-Blossom profile image
Lotus-Blossom in reply toCooper27

I'm in Scotland. You have given me something to talk about with my doctor as I will definitely bring it up with her. Even though she says she's not surprised I'm still this weak. I will still bring it up as it wouldn't hurt to ask her. Thanks.

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27 in reply toLotus-Blossom

We don't have the same online access here in Scotland, but you are entitled to copies of your test results under data protection laws, so do ask :) they sometimes say no, but you have a legal right.

Lotus-Blossom profile image
Lotus-Blossom in reply toCooper27

Thanks for your reply. I will definitely get on to it.

Dna4christ profile image
Dna4christ

Hey there. I think it can take some time to recover after a traumatic event. Many years ago, I lost so much blood where my blood pressure dropped to 66/33. I lost consciousness and I almost died from septic shock- pretty much saw nothing but spots before I passed out (also kept vomiting and had severe leg cramps from insufficient blood flow). I think they gave me 4 packs of blood transfusion to get me up and running (not enough to not be anemic though). Very scary and took a lot of time to recover. Please take it nice and slow. Hopefully, you will get your strength back soon. Meantime, take care of yourself!

Lotus-Blossom profile image
Lotus-Blossom in reply toDna4christ

I will. Thanks for the kind words of encouragement.

Methane profile image
Methane

Hi why did you haemorrhage?

I have suspected inflammation and lost a lot of blood just once, been feeling so weak for over 3 months, have colonoscopy booked. Dr just seems to leave me! Maybe ask to be referred to hospital for another opinion. Don’t put up with just being left suffering, good luck x

Lotus-Blossom profile image
Lotus-Blossom in reply toMethane

Hi Methane, I'm ready to speak about it now as it's been an awful time for me at the time. Until recently I've had a chat with my consultant they are now helping me to get my life in order by getting things in place.

Why I haemorrhage ?

Answer: It was meant to be a simple operation but it went wrong as a lot happened to my body at the same time as I was bleeding to death. They even had to call in a second team in order to save my life. This resulted in losing all of my blood in the process. Unfortunately I was that rare person this had happened to.

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