It’s been a few weeks since I have felt decent, and I thought I might briefly share with you why. In summary I would caution you to watch out for ANEMIA!!! I only had it once before, and this time it was totally incapacitating by the time I got some help and got it under control. We’re (as in a couple doctors and I) still aren’t sure what’s causing it, but I got a big infusion of iron yesterday and I feel so much better.

For me, the first signs are a lot of hair falling out (in the shower) and a strange desire to chew on ice. I know, crazy! Then I let it get so low that my GP here said she had never seen it that low. Even then it took almost a week to start on the iron infusions and by then I felt truly crazy. I have a graduate degree in psychology, so I know what CRAZY looks like.

Anemia signs and symptoms vary depending on the cause and severity of anemia. Depending on the causes of your anemia, you might have no symptoms.

Signs and symptoms, if they do occur, might include:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Pale or yellowish skin
• Irregular heartbeats
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Chest pain
• Cold hands and feet
• Headaches

At first, anemia can be so mild that you don’t notice it. But symptoms worsen as anemia worsens. Source: The Mayo Clinic

Note: I have most of those symptoms normally between my low oxygen and a recent concussion.

My point is, get regular blood tests and watch for these symptoms. Anemia is much more common in those over age 65 and hard to spot, because of all the variety of symptoms.

Postscript February 2022: I have come to think that the statin drug I started in 2020 may be causing my severe anemia. I have since learned there are so many side effects to statins. Inform yourself before taking anything!