Ok, NPCER, WWYD Health related

[gpw]

Without going into too many details that would make this such a long post, I'm just going to hit the highlights (I hope).

I currently have a very low blood count. 6.9 (normal is 12-14). This is due to extremely heavy periods I have due to some fibroids. The last two months, I have been receiving iron and B12 injections every two weeks in an attempt to raise my count. It didn't work. In fact, I lost .2. My PCP referred me to a hematologist.

My choices are iron infusions (as opposed to sub cutaneous) or a blood transfusion. My doctor is not pushing hard for a transfusion because I'm able to function somewhat normally. I'm still on 5-6 day workouts, working part time, taking care of mom, house, husband, etc. In the afternoons, I do get tired enough to want to nap (which is highly unusual for me). Dr. says this is due to the fact that I lose the blood slowly, so my body gets used to the lower count.

I have issues with the transfusion. It's not because I'm afraid of disease. I can't put a fine point on why, but it doesn't sit well. The only way I've been able to get more comfortable with it is if I use what's called a directed donation; my niece has said she would donate and so did my brother (although he laughed at me for being ridiculous for not wanting "stranger blood"). Also, a friend who is "universal" has volunteered (although, I don't really want hers, either, to be honest).

So, my choices are 8 weeks of iron infusions, which take 2 hours each time. Or, a blood transfusion, which takes two days (one visit to "type" me, I think?) and the next day for the actual transfusion. It's outpatient. The transfusion would make me feel better almost immediately, while obviously, the infusions would take a bit longer, and there is even a chance they may not work, since the sub cutaneous didn't work too well (although the dr said it's probably because they didn't give me enough).

So...I know it may seem like a no brainer to some of you, but I'm really trying to decide what to do. H doesn't really like the idea of a transfusion. One of my nestie besties has said stranger blood is probably better because I could catch The Douche from my brother, since that isn't something they screen for, lol!

WWYD?

[pixy0stix]

I'd take the transfusion. Are you not comfortable with it because you think the blood should be used for emergencies only?

[gpw]

No, that isn't it. There is something about having blood that is from my family....I can't put a finer point on it than that. I'm really not worried about disease, I know that blood is screened and tested. The thought of someone else's blood just feels.....strange... to me.

[pixy0stix]

Just pretend you're a vampire for the day.

[gpw]

H isn't a match for me.

You do make me feel a bit better, because there are a lot of people are saying it's a no brainer. You make me feel not as weird! Even the doctor cocked her head a little bit when I said I would prefer not to have "stranger" blood.

[emilyj]

Would you a) take the blood from your niece and b) would it be enough for you? Or would you still need another donor?

I don't know if I can be much help - I'm all about instant gratification when I don't feel good, so I would be all over the "I'll feel better immediately" option. So personally, I would take the transfusion, but I've had transfusions before (through surgery) and it doesn't bother me at all.

However, if you aren't comfortable with it, is there a disadvantage to the iron transfusions? What I mean is, if they don't work, is there any harm done (besides the lost time)? Would that make you ineligible for a blood transfusion, or would that just be the next step?

Because if neither you or your H are 100% comfortable with the transfusion, then I don't think you are crazy at all if you opt for the iron transfusion instead. For your health, you have to do what you are most comfortable with, and if that's it? Then that's what you need to do.

[gpw]

thank you, Emily!

I would love to know your experience with a blood transfusion. I think much of it is the unknown. I'm getting more comfortable with the idea. The more I think about it, even though I don't really feel *that* bad right now, I think about how much better I *could* feel if I had the transfusion.

I would take my niece's blood and she's offered it freely. I would need more than that, so I would need my brother's blood, too. Dr. says I would require two units.

There is no disadvantage to doing the iron first, just the lost time, as you said. If it didn't work, transfusion would be next step...but, there is the chance I could lose count (because I did when I was on the sub cutaneous iron).

I am leaning more toward the transfusion if I could do it directed. It would probably take me longer to digest the idea if I couldn't do directed.

[MixedBerryJam]

I'm a donor (platelets not whole blood so it's not the same, I realize) but (and I'm not saying this snarkily or anything but it sure does sound that way) I'm with the side that doesn't get your aversion to "stranger blood." I mean, if you were in an emergency room with a gunshot wound you wouldn't be waiting for your niece to get off her shift to drop by, right? This situation is a medical "urgency" (as opposed to emergency) and the whole reason people donate blood is to help other people out.

And to be perfectly honest with you, I think I would be more skeeved out knowing that I had a specific person's -- not only that, but THAT SPECIFIC PERSON sitting across the table at Thanksgiving's -- blood in my veins. I mean, what if 6 months or a year or 10 years from now your niece needs a loan, or has robbed a bank, and she's all, "Remember that time I gave you my blood, auntie?"

That said, I empathize with the blood count thing. I never needed a transfusion but I had anemia as a result of heavy and long periods while I was pre- and peri- and plain old menopausal. They would last for months, and I called them the "no upholstered furniture" days. Good luck, whatever you decide.

[pamela]

I would take the transfusion, stranger or not.

[broc]

I think it's okay and normal to have irrational reservations about it, but I think you need to analyze the situation as though you were some other poster. There's no real drawback to doing the blood, and the iron will take far longer and has a good chance you'll need to do the blood anyway. Do you think you could do it from a rational mindset while still being grossed out?

[racegrrl714]

I've had a transfusion, which was a little bit different in that I didn't even know it was happening when it happened (it was during an emergency surgery when I had my car accident), but I understand the "weirdness factor" of having someone else's blood coursing through your veins, even if you are perfectly grateful for it. But I lean towards the transfusion in your case, mainly because it's guaranteed to make you feel better. Are there any potential immediate health related ramifications if you don't get the transfusion and the iron treatments don't work?

[caden]

I completely understand having reservations about the transfusion. It's a squicky concept. But what you've posted about the alternative makes me think it's the best treatment option. I'm a universal donor and I'd gladly spare some for yah if you get me some Hill tomato soup afterwards. Certified disease/douche free but enter joke about cold-blooded conservatism. (I'm serious about donating if you rather have a non-family, non-stranger, but not someone you'd run into all the time)

[ringstrue]

I say get the transfusion.

Just curious - is this going to be an ongoing thing? Like are you going to need help for this every so often? Are there plans to try to stop this situation from re-occurring?

GL I'm sorry you are going through this!

[emilyj]

May 14, 2012 6:59:22 GMT -5 gpw said:

thank you, Emily!

I would love to know your experience with a blood transfusion. I think much of it is the unknown. I'm getting more comfortable with the idea. The more I think about it, even though I don't really feel *that* bad right now, I think about how much better I *could* feel if I had the transfusion.

There wasn't much to the experience. I had a big abdominal surgery when I was 16 and they knew I was going to need blood for it. I did 'friendly' donors for it, and I got blood from my parents (my dad and I have the same blood type and my mom is a universal donor), and one of my mom's friends is the same blood type as me also donated. They all went to a Red Cross blood drive about 2 weeks before my surgery, donated, filled out special paperwork designating the blood for me, and that was it on their part.

On mine? I had surgery, got the blood, and that was it. I obviously wasn't aware of it. I never felt any different afterwards, and it is something that has never crossed my mind, except in situations like this where I remember "Oh yeah! I got a transfusion!"

[verandah]

Does the idea that the donated blood will be gone from your system in ~6 months help any? RBCs last ~120 days before they get recycled out.

[gpw]

Thanks so much everyone for your thoughtful replies.

broc: I think I might be able to do it on a rational level without being grossed out given the information that verandah just shared.

I do see mixedberry's point about looking across the holiday table and thinking, "wow, their blood is coursing through my veins". I am certain I am over thinking this whole thing.

caden: Thanks for the offer! I may take you up on that! I am contacting the Red Cross on how to go about a directed donation. How long it takes, what the process is, etc.

ringstrue: In theory, yes, this is something I would need again. However, it would be a long time. It took me from 2009 to 2011 for me to drop from 14 to 8. The way to get a re-occurrence to stop would be a hysterectomy, or at least a partial one, which we're not ready to do yet since we are still TTC. So, I would think that at that point, we will have either had a child, or will have moved on to other options. Trust, I would love to not have these horrible periods anymore, lol!!

verandah -- thank you for that information...that really does help my decision making process.

Like I said, I am pretty certain that I'm over thinking this, and I appreciate you all helping me process the decision.

[basilosaurus]

I'm late to this, but I just wanted to chime in that while I've never been on the receiving end, I've watched people who are. Seeing their quick response is what would convince me if I were ever in the same situation.

As an unorthodox idea, I read about JWs using erythropoetin (stimulates RBC growth) instead of transfusions. I have absolutely no idea if it would be relevant or appropriate for your situation, but it might be worth asking about if you're still set against a transfusion.