Right now, I'm sticking a needle into my belly

[FarLeftRage]

Ask me anything!

[Shell Beau]

1. Ok, ummmm why?

[FarLeftRage]

3. One long word:

Hemochromatosis.

[Shell Beau]

5. I am not sure what that is, but it doesn't sound fun!

[FarLeftRage]

6. Well, it certainly is not...

From: http://www.hemochromatosis.org/

Hemochromatosis (HHC) is a leading cause of iron overload disease. People with Hemochromatosis absorb extra amounts of iron from the daily diet. The human body cannot rid itself of extra iron. Over time, these excesses build up in major organs such as the heart, liver, pancreas, joints and pituitary. If the extra iron is not removed, these organs can become diseased. Untreated hemochromatosis can be fatal...

I seek to educate!

[Chan790]

7. Hemochromatosis

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hemochromatosis.html

It's basically too much iron, to the point that it starts being stored in tissues until it becomes toxic and does damage. The opposite of Anemia. In severe cases, the only effective treatment is to be bled daily so that much of the iron will be used to produce new hemoglobin and blood instead of being stored.

[FarLeftRage]

8. Problem is,

I can't be bled daily, because I also suffer from severe hemolytic anemia...

[Rhiannon12866]

14. My friend, I was previously severely anemic.

It was a female thing, but I had to see a hematologist weekly, and ferrous fumerate provides the most absorbable iron. I think we once talked about that. And vitamin C boosts the effect, so I had to take that, too, in liquid form. I wish you health, my friend. I went to Mass General, where Senator Kennedy is now, since they had the most to offer me. There may be a specialist out there that you could consult. I hate that you have to go through this, since I know very well how taxing it is to deal with a chronic health problem. I care, my friend...

Rhiannon:pals:

[EstimatedProphet]

18. Jesus! Talk about a rock and a hard place!

[FarLeftRage]

20. Yes and unfortunately

It's been that way all my life...

[Deja Q]

22. Yipes.

:hug:

[Brigid]

2. Type I Diabetes?

[FarLeftRage]

4. Nope.

Hemochromatosis.

[FloridaJudy]

9. Heparin, right?

Ouch.

[FarLeftRage]

10. Nope.

Deferoxamine Mesylate twice daily (1 gram)...

And OUCH!!!!!!

[Rhiannon12866]

11. Um. It's an immune disorder, right?

Sorry if I've forgotten exactly, but you know that I care, and I am sorry that you have to do this. But you came to the right place, getting support and input, here on DU...

Rhiannon:hug:

[FarLeftRage]

16. Nope...

Blood Enzyme Deficiency... Causes my Red Blood Cells to live much shorter than normal...

:hi: :hug:

[bigwillq]

12. How big

is that needle?

[FarLeftRage]

17. About 2 Inches...

I don't stick all the in, but about an inch and a half.

[TZ]

13. I did that last night

I have a blood disorder too..essential thrombocythemia (too many platelets). I take interferon once a week. Surprisingly the needle doesn't seem too bad.

[FarLeftRage]

19. Yes, I have gotten used to the needle

Once in a while, I will jab a vein and bleed a bit...

[LeftyFingerPop]

15. I'm sorry you have to do this...

and I hope you do not have to continue for very long.

6 jabs per day for me in the stomach...diabetes.

I wish you well. :pals:

[FarLeftRage]

21. And I am sorry to read of your dilemma...

Hopefully, medical research will come up with a better treatment... for both of us.