Well, I may have Hemochromatosis and Diabetes

[redrumloa]

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hemoch ... is/DS00455

I had bloodwork done last Friday and the intial results seem to confirm the fears. I now have to have additional bloodwork done and see a specialist. Hemochromatosis can cause Diabetes and Anemia, I wonder if I am now Anemic too.

We'll see what the final testing shows, but many of the symptoms are there. I wish I would have gotten tested years ago. It will suck balls, but at least I will know.

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

I might have that too!

I probably don't, but I might. Though my last blood work said that maybe I should go get more blood work. Hey ho. Where did my youth go? I must have wasted it because I don't remember it.

If you have a real bad case you can set off the metal detectors at the airport and in these times that makes travel even less fun.

Here's the good news though. You can treat yourself for no cost. Depending on how severe the case you can use leeches or donate blood. Blood loss will get your iron count down, and in the case of donation it's socially useful too (uh-oh, I said "social").

 

[faethor]

Wishing you the best Red.

 

[redrumloa]

@faethor

Thanks, it is appreciated.

@fluffy

Now that I have done my homework, I would suggest you get the additional testing. Hemochromatosis is apparently the #1 genetic disorder in the USA, but it is still usually not diagnosed properly. Did you get a copy of the last bloodwork? The iron count, TIBC, %saturation and ferritin levels are what are important. For me the Ferratin was high at 865.

For the Hemochromatosis itself, getting blood removed will do the trick along with giving up red meat and alcohol. If it gets advanced to where it causes other problems like diabetes, those problems typically have to be dealth with separately.

 

[Glaucus]

I wondering if pumping iron helps lower blood iron levels as it gets absorbed into muscle tissue. Or maybe I'm just thinking of Popeye. Anyway, hope the treatment works.

 

[Glaucus]

If you have a real bad case you can set off the metal detectors at the airport and in these times that makes travel even less fun.

You're joking right? If not, then I'd imagine MRI's are out of the question too, unless you want to re-enact that scene from X-Men where Magneto pulls the iron out of that prison guard. Ick! :shock:

 

[redrumloa]

If you have a real bad case you can set off the metal detectors at the airport and in these times that makes travel even less fun.

You're joking right?

Actually he is not joking, people with really high iron levels can set of metal detectors.

 

[Glaucus]

Wow. Well, here's a list of high iron foods you can avoid. I'm surprised by the number of spices and herbs near the top. The funny thing is, I'm low on iron thanks to thallasemia so I actually need to eat more of these. And I hate parsley!

EDIT: Doh! Here's that list: http://www.myfit.ca/foods_highest_iron.asp

 

[minator]

Hope you can deal with that Ok Red.


Most people aren't meant to give blood too often as it reduces iron and it takes 3 months to regenerate it. I wonder can you give it more often as a treatment?

I pump iron and last time I gave blood the whole process was over in a few minutes, so I'm not sure it that'd be a positive or negative. Though it would help against any diabetes risk.

Just hope you're not a Guinness fan...


anyway, good luck.

 

[Wayne]

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hemochromatosis/DS00455

I had bloodwork done last Friday and the intial results seem to confirm the fears. I now have to have additional bloodwork done and see a specialist. Hemochromatosis can cause Diabetes and Anemia, I wonder if I am now Anemic too.

We'll see what the final testing shows, but many of the symptoms are there. I wish I would have gotten tested years ago. It will suck balls, but at least I will know.

Well crap Red... I'm very sorry to hear about any of this, but if you need someone to talk to about Diabetes (at least type 2), I'm your guy. So far, I've been able to control it fairly well by watching what I eat (no burgers, noodles, or foot long subs -- because of the bread/carbs) and losing the 50#, but you may be a little bit different by fact that you're not overweight. Well, I presume, having not seen you in 2 years and you having rediscovered that huge sub sandwich place you love..

Anyway, don't panic like I did. You know something may be up, but wait until the doctor chimes in before you condemn yourself to the wrong course of action..

Being an iron overbalance, I suggest magnetic butted underwear..

(edit: Sorry to make light... I'm actually concerned but when I wrote about the magnetic underwear thing, the phrase "stiffy of steel" came to mind and that, I just had to share...)

Wayne

 

[Speelgoedmannetje]

If you have a real bad case you can set off the metal detectors at the airport and in these times that makes travel even less fun.

You're joking right? If not, then I'd imagine MRI's are out of the question too, unless you want to re-enact that scene from X-Men where Magneto pulls the iron out of that prison guard. Ick! :shock:

I have been in such an MRI system, (for research on autism), they specifically asked whether I had a pacemaker or any other metal parts in my body, in which case I wasn't allowed to partake in the MRI system.
Kinda cool to have some bloody 3d pictures of your skull btw. 8)

@Red, man that suck, may you get better soon, or if it's chronic, I wish you all the best.

 

[redrumloa]

@Wayne

Thanks for the offer. Actually I am overweight, more so now than when I was in Alabama. I am clocking in at about 264 atm, which is about ~40-50lbs give or take too much at my height. Yeah BigFoot Subs is a love of mine and having a smoker at home for football season didn't help ;-) That plus the hemochromatosis can cause massive swelling in the liver and and fluid retension in the stomach. My stomach is huge compared to the rest of me, I look about 7 months pregnant.

I'm not panicing, no worries there. It it what it is and if treatment gets my energy level, concentration and such back, I am eager. I also don't mind making light if it, gotta be able to laugh at yourself. When this first came up I told my mother "hopefully the doctor will just say I am a fat bastard".

@speel
Thanks man.

 

[faethor]

If not, then I'd imagine MRI's are out of the question too, unless you want to re-enact that scene from X-Men where Magneto pulls the iron out of that prison guard. Ick! :shock:

That scene was a poor rip off of the comic. The better scene was in the comic book where Wolverine thought he'd take on Magneto. Magneto ripped all the adamantium out of his body and skeleton. That was a true ick! (Though Marvel followed up with 'bone claws' for Wolvie. Stupid!)

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

If not, then I'd imagine MRI's are out of the question too, unless you want to re-enact that scene from X-Men where Magneto pulls the iron out of that prison guard. Ick! :shock:

That scene was a poor rip off of the comic. The better scene was in the comic book where Wolverine thought he'd take on Magneto. Magneto ripped all the adamantium out of his body and skeleton. That was a true ick! (Though Marvel followed up with 'bone claws' for Wolvie. Stupid!)

Sorry, what? :shock: ... WHICH bit was stupid?

 

[redrumloa]

and losing the 50#

BTW, I forgot to say something. CONGRATS! Losing 50lbs is great! Is controlling the Diabetes making it easier, or is it pure willpower?

 

[faethor]

If not, then I'd imagine MRI's are out of the question too, unless you want to re-enact that scene from X-Men where Magneto pulls the iron out of that prison guard. Ick! :shock:

That scene was a poor rip off of the comic. The better scene was in the comic book where Wolverine thought he'd take on Magneto. Magneto ripped all the adamantium out of his body and skeleton. That was a true ick! (Though Marvel followed up with 'bone claws' for Wolvie. Stupid!)

Sorry, what? :shock: ... WHICH bit was stupid?

Wolvie's claws were pure adamantium, the strongest material in the universe. After Magneto pulled them out with the rest of the skeletal lacings, Wolvie gained claws made of bone. That was just a poor idea. I think the writers handled it as well as they could have. Still a pretty bow on a turd is still a turd.

 

[Wayne]

and losing the 50#

BTW, I forgot to say something. CONGRATS! Losing 50lbs is great! Is controlling the Diabetes making it easier, or is it pure willpower?

The honest truth is that while I haven't yet gained any weight back (a miracle), I've been a bit slack as of late, what with the stress of being unemployed, the resulting depression, and so forth.

Need to get back on that ball really.

It may sound weird, and it is weird not to have to deal with the Amiga crowd after 15 years -- as well as now having the ability to be honest with them -- selling Amiga.org is the one single thing that's kept me from bankruptcy and complete mental breakdown. Now, if I only had 10 sites just like it..

Wayne

 

[faethor]

@Wayne.

Not having to deal with Amigans is something likely to improve anyone's mental condition. What a damaged lot we are.

Though some of us learned the Amiga isn't the universe. We deal with *nix, Apple, Microsoft, and are interesting where the new mobile OS trend may lead.

Congratulations on the weight loss! Keep it up!

 

[redrumloa]

Last Tuesday I had a 2 hour glucose tolerance blood test, I see 2 specialist on the 18th. The primary doc got the results of the glucose tolerance test today, called and wants me to come in even before the 2 specialist. I know what that means... Putting everything together, I know what it all means. I've been ok with all this until that call today. I guess reality is starting to set in, this sucks. I was only stuck with needs 3 times last week and it still looks like I have track marks on my arms. I have always had my health, maybe not mental ( :wink: ) but I have had my physical health. Last ~5 years or so has seen a steady decline I suppose in hind sight. Mainly in fatigue, weight gain, difficulty concentrating, depression, joint pain, ringing in ears etc. Nothing critical, so chalked it off as aging, laziness or something else. I can probably throw Anemia in the mix, looking at the symptoms.

Truth be told, it sucks. I am so used to being relied on and having to be the tough guy dad that even this I act as it doesn't bother me, but it does. Just posting this will probably make me feel like a puss later, but heck.. Wayne, Smithy and others have been very open here about medical issues, I respect the openness of emotions. It is just something I am not good with.

I appreciate the sounding board.

 

[Wayne]

I appreciate the sounding board.

Hey man, two things.

One. You are not alone. Two. We're here for ya.