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"I suffer from Iron shortage and anemia"

About: Nephrology and Transplant Service / Dialysis Unit Parkside Surgery Royal Victoria Hospital / Haematology (Clinical)

(as a service user),

Hello, I told my GP at Parkside surgery that I suffer from Iron shortage and anemia and I used to have Iron infusion at my home country before I moved to Belfast in 2022.

The GP asked for blood analysis in November 2022 and the results came to assure my story. The GP told me that they would transfer me to the hospital to have Iron infusion and that in a couple of weeks they should contact me.

Till this moment I'm still waiting and my body is loosing energy. I'm having problems in mobility, also having problems in my sleeping, numbness in my arms and hands especially during night, my feet feel very hot at night and can't sleep because of them and for sure hair loss which is normal.

I told my GP that I have cancer cases in my family history (mom and sister) and I lost my mother because of cancer. I'm afraid of loosing my immunity because of my iron deficiency.

All I need is just Iron infusion to support my body and regain my energy.

In the last few days. I decided to follow my case personally. I called Parkside surgery to ask about my referral. First they said that I was referred to Belfast Hospital, I called the hospital and they told me that they have no referral under my name. Then I called back the Parkside surgery to ask again, then they said that I was referred to Royal Hospital, then I called the hospital and here again told me that I have no referral under my name. Then call back the Parkside to tell me back that they are sure that I have a referral to the Royal Hospital, and that they will ask my GP to send it again.

Still waiting somebody to call me back.

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Debbie McKelvey, Haematology Nurse, Haematology, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust 2 years ago
Debbie McKelvey
Haematology Nurse, Haematology,
Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
Submitted on 23/02/2023 at 09:30
Published on Care Opinion at 11:49


Thank you for sharing your story; may I please ask that you contact me with your details and I will follow this up within haematology

My name is Debbie McKelvey, tel no: 02895048239

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Iron (a service user)

Continuing my story with iron deficiency, I've been contacted by the Royal hospital -the unit treatment program - to have my iron infusion in March, 2023.

I went on time and had my infusion. My body reaction problem started right the next day!

I woke up with skin pigmentation all over my body especially on my belly and my back! Oh my God what I have done to myself. It's a disaster!

I called the unit treatment back and went on an appointment the next week after and the doctor was shocked and indicated that they hadn't seen this happen before, and that they had no idea why this has happened to my body! I was so scared and don't know what to do.

The doctor wrote a letter to hand in for my GP in person that I have been referred to the dermatologist urgently to see what could be done. I received a letter for my appointment for mid May,2023. What a long time to wait!

What if something more serious happened to me. Besides that all that time since the infusion day I discover every day new dark spots on my body, even my face has darkened in colour!

Please, I appreciate any help with my problem. It's so frustrating that I have a pigmented skin all over my body. I can't continue my life like this! Please help me!

This was my first iron infusion in Northern Ireland but had infusions previously at my home country and never had such a problem. Moreover, I wasn't asked what kind of iron I have had before!

Thanks for your help in advance🙏

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