This may gross out the men…
I have very heavy menstrual cycles most of the time.
Today, it has been pretty bad. This afternoon, I felt weak and jittery; I thought it was because I needed to eat.
The feeling improved, but not totally.
A few hours later, it came back, but worse.
I am also short of breath, am lightheaded and having palpitations.
My question is…if it may be anemia, how long is ok to wait to see a dr?
I really don’t want to go to the ER for them to keep me 5 hours, charge me $$$$ and send me home, saying to follow up with my gyn and do nothing.
Can it wait until Monday?
I have pretty bad anemia as well, but only get bouts of lightheadedness even during monthly cycles. I am not sure the other symptoms are anemia based, but then again I am not a doctor : ) Do you take iron pills? In PA we have something called MedExpress or EPN which are basically walk in clinics that only charge you a doc office copay instead of the outrageous ER fee. Is there something like that around you? The palpitations may not be able to wait until Monday unfortunately.
I am on prescription iron pills for my anemia so I can only reflect on my symptoms & I have never been short of breath or have palpitations as a result of my anemia. I know that doesn't answer your question directly, sorry.
Yes, I had these symptoms when I had a cycle. I felt like I was in bed a week every month. Thyroid disorders can cause this too. I eventually had a complete hysterectomy because I lost so much blood. I had already had my children and was 45 years old. I had something called andenometriosis. I think that's how it is spelled, the walls of the uterus grow together, so I had a lot of pain too. I was always anemic back in those days. Maybe you should try a walk in clinic.
Yes, but not much after that I too have anemia for the last ten months and they cant figure out why i am not producing enough red blood cells. it can make the lupus fatigue extremely difficult to deal with. Good luck and God bless
I have just been told my SLE has given me anaemia too. Can totally understand your plight. I’ve been put on iron pills and have been taking them for a month now. I difference in the energy levels and mood are huge. Can you get iron pills without a prescription over there? That might be a go? And even have a chat to the pharmacist? They could provide a bit more clarity symtom wise. I found massive improvement after about ten days on the iron pills. All the best and I hope you feel better soon x
I always got like how you are describing during my first 3 days of my cycle. Just is hard to lose a lot of blood..hard on your body that is so your blood sugar can drop as well as iron. I would not take iron pills by themselves without your doctor prescribing them....they make you sick and can create havoc on going the bathroom.
I really do not think you need to go to ER. Now this is place dark chocolate really might seriously help you! Not kidding...help with blood sugar and magnesium. When i would get severely anemic i actually crave red meat. I do not normally eat meat often. You might eat some to see if it helps.
As to how long you can wait...this can easily wait till Monday or even week after for being anemic. I was severely anemic and walking around...just got very tired but with lupus you do that anyways..so i did not really notice anything new except meat cravings!!
IF you are worried...i would call your OB and leave a message for the on call doctor. One thing about most OB-GYN they do have doctor on call due to deliveries!! Only take them few minutes to answer you and make you feel better knowing you are okay or they might say come in...just is easy blood test or prick even.
Now if you bleeding heavier ...where you are changing every hour on super one...you might call urgent clinic and get in.
Good luck...i hope it is just your cycle wearing you out in a normal way..nothing serious.
