Is this just anemia?

Question

Almost three weeks ago now, I fainted twice. For about four weeks I have had a headache (across forehead) that changes in intensity, but remains. I feel dizzy, tired and weak, and have shortness of breath and palpitations. I bruise very easily, and have been iron deficiency anemic for about 15 years. I had bloodwork done, and I think it shows anemia...still. I have a doctor's appt tomorrow. In the past three weeks, I have developed a slightly raised pink dime sized rash on my left forearm that doesn't itch. My feet are swollen most of the time now. The cbc said that my BUN and CO2 are low. My MCH and MCV and HCT are low. HGB is normal, but on the borderline of low. RDWs are high. What does all of this mean? I feel like I am falling apart! I have had ulcerative colitis for years, and started to have a flare last week. I called the doctor and was put on a corticosteroid until I can go in. The diarrhea stopped. I also have rib pain (mostly tenderness to the touch).

BUN is blood urea nitrogen
HCT is hematocrit
RDWs are the immature red blood cells (by the way, I had a normal number of red blood cells, which indicate that I am making enough, they just are dying or being killed off too soon).
HGB is hemoglobin, and so forth.
I did not see any blood in the stool, but it is not always visible or present with UC.
I am still not certain that I even was in a flare, and my doctors won't even discuss my lab results over the phone and insisted that I come in. I have appts with my primary care doctor and my gastroenterologist.

Answer 1

It sounds to me that you have iron deficiency anemia. If you are eating iron containing foods like vegetables, your body will have a hard time absorbing the iron. Eating meat is easier for your body to absorb the iron. If you are iron deficient, by taking supplements or increasing your diet with iron, you may feel better in a few days but the stored iron in your body has been depleted and you should continue taking in more iron so you build up your iron stores. It is kind of like finishing all of your antibiotics even if you aren't sick anymore.

Answer 2

I have had ulcerative colitis for 25 years now and the symptoms can be pretty varied. I don't know what those medical terms mean, I am in England, and they don't use terms like that. Have you passes any blood or had stomach pains like cramp? If you have anemia it needs treating. Make sure you eat iron enriched foods. Check on the net for a list. See the doctor as soon as you can and ask him to explain the terms. CO2 is carbon dioxide and low levels can make you dizzy. If you do go dizzy try breathing in and out of a paper bag for a minute, no more.

Answer 3

I have have the same signs as well and now I'm having chest pain and epigastric pain. Doctors should explore to see which is the main reason for the anemia. Is it because of a defect in the bone marrow, heavy menstrual bleeding, leukemia, lymphoma. I have no idea either but doctors don't want to search deeply enough, something can be so fatal as a leaking aneurism. God forbid. Good luck for both of us, I hope doctors get interested in checking deeply what could be wrong. Anemia can be life treatening, and some people do not take it seriously.