Anemia and AVR

[prdraper1]

I saw a hematologist today as part of my recovery programme and as I have had anemia problems before my AVR op I am to have a capsule camera test. I may well be over this now as a blood test was taken today to check my levels.

Below is some information from www.medic8.com.

This has been on the forum in the past but is new to me.

Hemolytic anemia is a rare form of anemia in which red blood cells are destroyed and removed from the bloodstream before their usual lifespan is up. Healthy red blood cells usually live about 120 days (4 months) in the bloodstream before the body removes them. In hemolytic anemia, the body breaks down and removes red blood cells faster than it can replace them. The breakdown of red blood cells is called hemolysis.
Mechanical Hemolytic Anemias
Physical damage to red blood cell membranes can result from microangiopathic (MI-kro-an-jee-o-PA-thik) changes in small blood vessels. An artificial heart valve or other device used in blood vessels also can damage red blood cell membranes. Damage can occur with a heart-lung bypass machine during open-heart surgery. Damage also can occur with pre-eclampsia or eclampsia (elevated blood pressure and protein in the urine after the 20th week of pregnancy). Blood cell damage may occur in the limbs while participating in marathons or other strenuous activities.

 

[Ross]

I would imagine they recommended you start taking Ferrous Sulfate?

 

[prdraper1]

I have been taking ferrous sulphate since before my op. I do not have any symptons of anaemia now, I think they are just being cautious which is very welcome. I was anaemic before my op and I was due for a check this week, I had to have a lot of investigations done before my op to check if I was bleeding anywhere and nothing was found. Having looked this up today it seems that it is quite a common occurence for people needing and having an AVR, which was news to me.
I love your Albert Camus quote, it reflects my outlook on life to a T.

 

[Ross]

I had a round of Anemia, though we weren't sure if it was hemolytic, but I was on Ferrous Sulfate for about 6 months. I have a labs sheet on the fridge now to go get tested again if I can ever remember to fast for 12 hours. I get up at night and guzzle about half a gallon of milk. Got to get this testing done. I haven't been feeling like myself for quite some time.

 

[Nancy]

Joe had hemolytic anemia, however there was some speculation amongst his doctors that it might not have been hemolysis from his valves and some thought it wasn't hemolysis at all. He had two mechanical valves, and the aortic one was a Bjork-Shiley valve which was quite old and much less hemodynamically friendly than his newer St. Jude.

He did have many tests including the capsule camera test to try to find out a source of bleeding. One of the tests detected an overall condition in his stomach which I could describe as an overall rash. I saw the films of it, and that is what it looked like. The gastrointestinal doctor said this was one source of bleeding, more like a constant seeping than frank bleeding. So he did an argon vapor cauterization on about a third of his stomach which helped some. However, he still lost blood.

He was under the care of a hematologist, and took iron daily, prescription strength folic acid daily and I gave him ProCrit injections 3 times per week.

This only managed to keep his anemia barely under control, and there were times when it dipped enough to require transfusions a couple of times a year. He also had some iron infusions.

It was a really difficult problem. Later on in his life, he did develop intestinal bleeding, enough to cause tarry stools.

They never really came to a final conclusion as to the cause of the blood loss, perhaps it was a combination of a lot of different things. They certainly tested him for all sorts of things, and he had regular blood work at the hematologists office. Basically, they treated the symptoms because the source of the problem was elusive.

Hopefully, yours will be under control soon.

 

[PeoriaValveUser]

I had my third AVR 14 months ago. About a month ago, my CBC showed low hemoglobin levels, so my GP put me on iron supplements. Last week, my hemoglobin levels dropped further so my GP referred me to a hemotologist. Tentative diagnosis is either hemolytic anemia or B-12 deficiency (or both). I see the hemotologist in two weeks.

 

[prdraper1]

My anaemia figures are now all in range, I still have to have a camera check in about 3 months. I have asked several people and some on steroids for an extended period have also had anaemia problems. I was on steroids for 3 months as I was so short of breath at the start of my illness.

 

[Michelle D]

I'm just two weeks out of surgery and have just became anemic as of my surgery. I had a transfusion in the hospital and now have to take prescription iron supplements. My hemoglobin is low and so is my blood count. What is the camera you guys are talking about, I'm new to anemia.

 

[prdraper1]

The camera is swallowed and allowed to pass through. It takes photos of the small stomach which an endoscope can't do. I have had the endoscope, colonoscopy and am waiting for the camera in case I am bleeding somewhere, it is a nuisance but it showed how thorough my specialists are and if I am bleeding anywhere it is best to find out. I don't think I am because my figures are now all in range.

 

[daveguy14]

I'm just two weeks out of surgery and have just became anemic as of my surgery. I had a transfusion in the hospital and now have to take prescription iron supplements. My hemoglobin is low and so is my blood count. What is the camera you guys are talking about, I'm new to anemia.

It is very common for people to be anemic after heart surgery, due to the blood loss involved. I was very anemic after my surgery as well. Your H&H should climb over time, and I was told it may take as long as three months for it to get back to normal.

 

[Michelle D]

Three months is tolerable. Is it just me or when it's low does anyone else become very irritable and angry?

 

[prdraper1]

Anaemia

Anaemia

Three months is tolerable. Is it just me or when it's low does anyone else become very irritable and angry?

It hasn't affected my temperament. My sense of taste went right off, I couldn't drink coffee and the smell of some foods made me feel sick. I was told by the doctor that this is the same as early pregnancy where women eat strange things. My anaemia started about 3 months before my op, I put it down to steroids as I have already mentioned.

 

[djacq]

I find it curious that my hematologist has informed me that a mechanical valve patient has some level of hemolysis but I never hear of anyone saying they have it. When I was first diagnosed with hemalytic anemia, my cardio did not feel it was my valve but at my last check up, he seemed to agree with the hematologist. I wonder what the odds are for someone a with mechanical will get hemolysis?

I guess there is not much they can do and he just felt I needed to watch my labs and take folic acid. They stopped the iron and he referred me to my PCP to follow this.

Wishing you the best, donna

 

[PeoriaValveUser]

It hasn't affected my temperament. My sense of taste went right off, I couldn't drink coffee and the smell of some foods made me feel sick. I was told by the doctor that this is the same as early pregnancy where women eat strange things. My anaemia started about 3 months before my op, I put it down to steroids as I have already mentioned.

During my stay, after my 2nd AVR, My tast and smell went all out of whack. Nothing tasted like it should. Citrus juices, which I love, tasted awful. The smell of hand sanitizer gel made me nauseous. It took a while, but things went back to normal.