Maybe it's low iron anemia

[DollyKim]

Wanted to give myself some treatment time to make sure what was lack of hemoglobin and what's frontal lobe brain injury but it appears I have spent many a year with a health condition that was out right missed by my previous health care providers although I had complained of many of the symptoms.

I was diagnosed with iron deficient anemia and not making enough red blood cells
These are my symptoms which I dismissed as other things, a blood test confirmed it, talk to your medical professional if concerned

Fatigue to the point what should be a refreshing walk exhausted me, diet changes did not affect this
Leg cramps, the more I walked the more they hurt, low potassium contributed to this
Very pale skin tone, not just from avoiding too much sun
Headaches, light sensitivity, feeling like my face was being pulled off and having OTC cures be hit or miss
Feeling not quite light headed but "out of it"
Feeling like you might pass out after physical activity
Sudden mood changes, these were also present when I was on medication to treat a mood disorder
Major PMS/PMT that was hard to control at times, a heavy cycle
still having acne at my age
frequent infections although I generally don't get colds and flu

If this sounds like you bring it up with your medical professional, it's easy to start feeling better

[Kirahfaye]

Some of those sound familiar (fatigue, lightheadedness, headaches). I actually just had my blood work done last week and there is a concern about red blood cells but they want to have another test in 3 months to see if it's improved. I will certainly keep this in mind when I go in for that one.

I hope you feel better soon, DK!

[Dark Angel]

My cousin has iron deficient anemia. Since she was diagnosed a couple of years ago, I've been watching out for the symptoms. (In her and myself) she's lived with it for so long that sometimes she can't tell when she's getting bad again. And if we don't catch it early, and get her some iron, she will start shaking and get headaches and lightheaded. She hasn't passed out yet, thankfully, but she came close one time. At work, of course.

My family doctor said that iron, potassium and magnesium are very common deficiencies. Always good to check the blood. (If you can stand needles!!! Yikes!)

I hope you get to feeling better soon DollyKim.

[DollyKim]

Thanks, I'm already feeling better.

Adding iron and potassium rich foods along with moderating coffee and cow's milk is an easy adjustment to see if it makes you feel better. I wasn't drinking a lot of coffee but it was my go-to when I felt funny because it had been helpful with the brain stuff.

I have to take iron pills because leafy greens and I don't get along. But it is an excuse to have more hamburgers and nutty raisin trail mix for nibbles

[Trethowan]

I'm so glad to see you've found some answers and are feeling better.

[mollym]

Wow! I'm so sorry to learn this was missed for so long. I'm glad you finally have a diagnosis as treatments aren't usually very complex and relief is probably right around the corner. You will feel like a brand-new you!

[kenaiqueen]

It's always great to have a correct diagnosis! I have anemia problems now and then but not too drastic. Happy you can find a way to help yourself feel better! If they will let you take a slow release iron, you might try that. It helped me a lot.

Feel for you with the coffee! I'm having to give up coffee to fix my acid reflux problems. Dang. Good thing I like tea. Yay burgers!