u/shallottmirror

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763425003732

Iron plays a key role in brain functions like energy metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis. Yet, iron deficiency (ID) is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. Children, adolescents, and menstruating adults are particularly at risk. Even in the absence of anemia, ID can be associated with fatigue, reduced quality of life, and worsened symptoms of depression, anxiety, and ADHD

https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/13/2/180

Recent work highlights the clinical relevance of non-anemic iron deficiency (NAID), defined as biochemical evidence of iron deficiency in the absence of anemia. NAID has been associated with neuropsychiatric and cognitive symptoms, including fatigue, anxiety, attention difficulties, and reduced quality of life, suggesting that symptomatology may emerge prior to hematologic compromise

47, used to be relatively healthy, and never hurt anything so badly I couldn’t walk. I was trying to move a large-ish plant container and hurt one side of my lower back so badly, it hurts to walk. I’m laying down with ice, I took naproxen sodium, and I’m trying to take big healthy breaths to not further constrict the area.

Just completed a 3 month trial of HRT which I stopped bc it caused nothing but dramatically increased fatigue and anxiety. Every spare moment, I laid down on couch to doomscroll. Now, I’m feeling so much shame because “I know better”.

Also fearful that this caused a permanent weakness/issue. I’m also in luteal and AuDHD, with very high-interoception (awareness of what’s going on inside my body). Any commiseration or support would be greatly appreciated.

47, late diagnosed AuDHD, never been on BCP bc fear they’d increase my already bad depression and SI during luteal. Cycles getting shorter and heavier last 7 years (24 days, bleed through ultra tampon in 60-90 mins). Finally am getting iron infusions after 3 decades of low ferritin. Last few years, saw palmetto supplement has significantly improved luteal, and while I’d like my life-ruining periods to stop, I’m scared of the options.

My insurance is terrible so finding a new covered doctor is not an option, and my gyno does not specialize in perimenopause, at all.

Gyno put me on 100 mg oral progesterone for 3 weeks *before* starting 0.05 E patch, and I immediately stayed asleep and woke up CHILLY! There was daytime fatigue, but everything else was normal. Within days of starting e patch, I entered a 24/7 panic attack so bad, I had to get intermittent FMLA. I stayed on it for the whole box, and decided to slowly titrate down from that dose bc the few days I went with no patch were just as bad.

I’m almost “off” the e patch, but lost 2 months to

\- debilitating anxiety (and resulting fatigue)

\- resumed many bad stress habits (skin picking, phone game addiction)

\- bloating everywhere including chin and breast soreness and now my whole body is a sensory nightmare. And I had to buy bras 2 cup sizes higher (went from 32F to 32 H)

\- while my cycles got longer, my PMS got much longer

\- morning fatigue and brain fog is lasting hours and hours

\- my vision for near things seems to have tanked

next steps?

1. Find an Internet doctor that specializes and pay out of pocket
2. Keep being a guinea pig with my current gyno
3. Just take progesterone for sleep quality

? Take it cyclically?

1. and add in tranexamic acid to control bleeding
2. Stopping periods w BCP? IUD seems dangerous for me bc of my history of very bad luteal
3. Add in testosterone

for fatigue

1. ?

Within 3 days, the anxiety was so DEBILITATING, I asked for intermittent medical leave from work. Panic all day, nightmares all night. 3 weeks later, she switched me to one step lower but ONLY bc the same dosage wasn’t available.

47, never been on BC or hormones, no missed periods, periods more frequent and heavier since turning 40 (ultra tampon lasts 1 hour). Also take 200 mg progesterone

Main symptoms were night overheating and waking, brain fog, fatigue

She was a brand new gyn for me and knows I’m VERY sensitive to all meds and I’m angry that she gave me such a high dose, rendering me nearly non-functional for a month. My appetite tanked, and I still managed to gain so much weight, all my bras and shirts are now too small .

I garden…and haven’t planted my seedlings yet….and I feel like a complete failure.

My insurance is so bad, it literally took me 5 months to even get this gyn, so I’m not feeling hopeful about finding a new gyn.

Everything else on my bed is all natural, but the pillow casing (not pillowcase) is polyester. Will a regular zippered cotton pillow protector be enough to prevent leakage of the bits, or dust?

I’m 47, with iron deficiency due to heavy periods. At my request, Ive had frequent blood tests over last two decades, mostly bc I suspected something was wrong with my 10ish of ferritin. I’m generally well hydrated and make sure to drink a bit more before, and rarely have an issue with my veins.

This was at 2nd infusion, with 5 days between (venofer). Nurse couldn’t start IV in left arm, and there was brief pain when starting it in right arm. Halfway through, iron began to leak out of the hole, with slight stinging, and I felt slightly dizzy. Nurse slowed down infusion bc my vein wasn’t able to take it all in. Any ideas what causes this?

A few other factors :

- I was on a heavy day of my period, with extra cramping, which can cause dizziness too

- prior to this, I had spent the last 3 days on the couch w extreme fatigue and depression, likely from PMS and post iron infusion

- this is my second series of infusions - first was 6months ago, ferritin went from 8 to 60, and back down to 35 after 6 months

- A few days later, Each insertion site is a small hole, which is not a big deal, but has never happened before.

It’s for my boyfriend who works multiple jobs (mostly WFH) and is burning himself out. It’s a one story, 3 bedroom ranch with 2 bathrooms. Kitchen and bathrooms could use a heavy a duty cleaning.

What are price ranges, experiences, etc?

He’d prefer to NOT use a large company, but would like trust-worthiness, obviously.

If you like Jamaican food and can’t get down to Waterbury or Hartford, there’s a food truck in Torrington. I think they are aiming to be there most days, and have about 15 different options right now, as they figure out what is selling well.

They are very nice and have even given me samples, without me asking.

The food is definitely quality, and they give plantains with the full meals, which is rare. I’ve been getting oxtails which are meatier than many I’ve eaten and very flavorful.

I have appt with hematologist Friday.

I have a formally diagnosed SVT that got treated with a radio frequency catheter ablation 5 years ago, with no episodes since. The last two days, I’ve had episodes start, but Ive been able to stop them (valsalva maneuver IMMEDIATELY).

Average ferritin of 10 over last decade, got infusion 6 months ago, ferritin 60 after infusion and now 36, going to beg hematologist for another infusion

I also started HRT for perimenopause a few months ago and wondering if there’s any connection between SVT and HRT?

ME

- 47, insanely heavy periods that are consistent, 24 day cycles, first time trying any kind of hormones, 200 mg P, 0.05 E patch for night waking and overheating

- After starting HRT, increased anxiety/panic and trouble talking (very bad relapse of my stutter)

- AuDHD, hypersensitive to many meds

- currently dealing w extreme fatigue, brain fog and anxiety (a lifetime of high-masking autism, chronic iron deficiency lol…)

I’ve been living life with unsupported :

Perimenopause

Autism

Low iron

I’m tired.

I’m also heavy sensory seeking in terms of food, liking (needing) to eat food that’s heavy in sauce, flavor, spice, and all mixed together, etc. the more “exotic” the better.

All I need are “dinner” type foods

I’m happy to get large portions, and eat same things over and over. I live in New England.

….and I feel like my brain is filled with soggy paper towels, and i’d like to sleep for a month .

I’m 47, and have a heavily documented average ferritin of 15 for last 2 decades due to heavy periods A month after infusion, ferritin was 60. Iron and hemoglobin are slowly trending downwards also. I just got a gynecologist who started me on HRT first, leading to *19 days* between my last two periods.

I’m seeing hematologist next week, and so far, they have been mostly useless, but I HOPE they sign me up for another infusion.

What should I do if they don’t or insurance won’t cover it? I’m about 3 hours north of NYC, and am willing to look for metaphorical black market iron

47, never been pregnant, AuDHD (depression, anxiety etc), probably had PMDD through my 20-30’s, take adderall but it’s been useless last year, need to use 3-4 highest-absorbency period products simultaneously, never missed a period and cycle 21-24 days, night-waking/overheating

This is an anxiety-based ramble…so read at your own risk

I have struggled for years with a sometimes-disabling stutter (I’ll silently block, switch words, avoid, etc). 5 years ago, I learned some very healthy habits to manage it VERY well, where talking became a joy again. 6 months ago, my iron/ferritin dropped suddenly even lower (it’s averaged 15 for 20 years…), I finally learned to beg for infusions, and stutter been very inconsistent since.

2 months ago, I started progesterone, and 2 weeks ago I started estrogen patch. First time ever taking any form of hormones. My last cycle was 19 days, while still having my “regular” bleeding-to-death flow. Stutter is worsening again, to the point that friends asking me regular questions causes panic and annoyance.

I’m getting my ferritin checked Tuesday…but I’m soooo anxious and scared that I’ll be broken forever.
Probably in luteal now. My gyn is very nice and seemingly accommodating, but I’m not sure how informed she is. Doing my own research, I’m starting to think I should cycle progesterone?

Maybe the hormones are impacting my breathing, bc I experience air-hunger when talking? Maybe it’s “all in my head”, as every medical doctor ever has told me.

Help.