Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Blood diseases an apnea anyone?

LOL Tom, I am glad to hear your wife is sleeping better!! Gotta keep em happy ya know?? LOL.

We both wish we could quit smoking, but is sooooooo difficult to do. As far as surgery is concerned, this lad doesnt go under the knife unless it is a life or death situation. Having gone through ARDS, a kidney removal, 2 umbilical hernia fixes (one contracting MRSA, the antibiotic resistant infection) and being on a ventilator for a few months, the less contact I have with anesthesia the better off I am.

Thanks for your reply to this post!!

Bob

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Behold the beauty of Orca Art

Blood stuff,
I get iron injections once a week. large shapeless red blood cells. My iron levels are all very low, they want to do a transfusion. I'm very week and have muscle spasams 24 hrs a day. they keep guessing this has been going on for 10 years. Remicade and Enbrel are next. I just wish they could get the iron up! no colon part of the problem! UC they cut it out. Well... peace Art

Hi Art,
My red blood cells are like that too - due to spherocytosis. Just curious, is that what you have, or do you have a different condition that causes that (I know you stated your lack of colon is PART of the problem)?
Another question - did your dr think it was safe being on MTX with this condition?
Thanks,
Megan

Hi Art,
Sorry, I didn't check - my mom had signed in and I didn't change the user! Posted as megansmom by accident.

Hi Megan or Mom? Mtx is ok with Doc. Please tell me what spherocytosis is. I need help in the blood biochem areas, not sure what they are. Thank you for leaving a note. Arthur

Hi Arthur,
Think I mentioned this in a previous post in this thread. And I have no idea if what I have is even remotely similar to what you have - you'll have to explain it to me!
As for the biochem, oh dear, you're asking the wrong girl, I didn't get such hot grades in biochem. Perhaps Strutsy (Jeanna) can help out there?

Spherocytosis is a genetic disorder in my family that causes exactly what you described - large, shapeless red blood cells, which in turn, can cause anemia. Because blood is filtered by the spleen, it recognizes these cells as "bad" and takes them all out along with the iron they carry (hence the iron injections). Some drs I've spoken to said that iron injections don't really help because there aren't enough red blood cells to carry it anyways, what I needed was more red blood cells, not iron. Unless I was seriously anemic, they said wouldn't start with iron injections. When the body produces too many of these round red blood cells, usually in times of stress or illness, sometimes a transfusion is warranted, otherwise we'd get pretty sick, pretty fast. Some doctors recommend spleenectomy in severe cases.
In my case, I've been lucky - my doctor had prescribed folic acid at a very early age to aide red blood cell production, and I'm supposed to be monitored carefully now that I'm on MTX. I'm also on prednisone, which seems to be prolonging the life of my red blood cells. I've never had any major problems, although many of my family members have (knock wood!)
I hope you're doing well, and that your health improves.
Happy Holidays,
Megan

Hi Bob - and thanks for the thorough answer! It definitely sounds like a condition that is best to avoid! I bet the CPAP will provide you with a measured improvement, and hopefully all that you will need,... crossing my fingers for you! It may take a bit of getting used to, and a few adjustments in pressure before you feel the full benefit. My friend doesn't suffer from these symptoms you describe, other than having high blood pressure on and off. I will tell him to mention the CBC blood test to his new doc just to be safe. Thanks again for all the info.

Wishing you the best and deepest of sleeps Bob!!

mig

Hi folks,

For those who are interested, I got some of my results from the sleep study today. They told me that I incurred breathing stopages 84.2 times per hour!! My oxygen level dropped to 84% at its lowest.

After the CPAP machine was hooked up I incurred ZERO breathing problems.

It is no wonder I dont get any rest having to wake myself that many times an hour to breath. This also causes me to never slip into the deep REM sleep where you get your quality sleep.
I get my home machine on Monday, and I CANT WAIT!!!!!!

Bob

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Behold the beauty of Orca Art

84%? That's ridiculously low! And you stop beathing more than once a minute! Wow! Well, can't wait to hear about the machine when you get it -- this could be life changing! Post Tuesday morning and let us know?

PattY




Sunset, Dec 27th, 5:00, and 5:10 p.m.

Gorgeous sunset!

Cheryl

Sugar Magnolia wishes everyone a Happy New Year!