hypovolemic shock and abdominal pains

I'm sorry no one's responded up until now.

I've never heard of pains like that occurring before, to be honest with you. For me, when I get blood taking out (we call it a phlebotomy where I live) I do need an IV, however, or else I will pass out because my blood drains so fast (I fill a bag in about five minutes when it should be 15 or 20).

Have you seen both your doctor and a haemochromatosis specialist for this? I'm a bit surprised that no scans have been performed on your stomach region.

Before you were diagnosed did you have a liver biopsy to test the amount of iron around it? I'm just wondering if they should go more in depth in terms of your diagnoses to really test if any damage was done to any of your organs before diagnosis.

taken out*

Hi..You don't say where the pain is located...Is it possible you have pancreatitis? My Dr. says this

pain is more excrutiating than kidney stones. Also, you may be severely constipated and not realize it.

Just some thoughts. Hope you'll see the responses.

Hi thanks for replying. The abdominal pains are associated with haemochromatosis and my consultant has done every test possible to find the root cause. He has admitted to me that they still do know what causes the pains and how some sufferers have this pain but others do not. My abdominal pains are on my right side just below my ribs. my ultrasounds are ok according to the consultant and i get them twice a year. I had my liver biopsy done over 13 years ago and after 3 different specialists and numerous tests and scans none of them could find the cause. I went through 18 months of weekly phlebotomies before my iron levels were within acceptable limits.As far as the hypovolemic shock is concerned I t used to happen every time I had my blood taken until my body got used to it. Everything was fine until a short time ago and the shock & pain did not set in until half an hour after my phlebotomy had been completed and that is what they found to be strange.It takes less than 3 mins for me to fill a bag and usually I am ok afterwards. I don't know what has changed but I feel a lot worse now than I did when I had iron overload.

Hypovolaemic shock is normal so you shouldn't worry about it, just make up the fluid quickly with plenty to drink, including some fruit juice so that your wounded vein heals and you get the sugar you need. You'd be amazed at how many blood donors just rush off after giving blood then faint on the way home. 

Sudden fainting (even half hour after venesection) came up recently in a conversation at a HH conference and the suggestion was to have less blood drawn more frequently.  Say, 300-350mls instead of 450mls.

Hypovolemic shock is generally from losing 1/5 or more of your total blood supply (which I am sure they would not be doing, unless you are going in very dehydrated), and/or a fast rate of blood/fluid loss.  Perhaps the phlebotomists can slow down your venesections by using a smaller cannular.  So there are two things you can try there.

The stomach pain business is very puzzling as although all web sites refer to it being a symptom of HH, there appears to be no explanation for it and no research done on it.  A gp suggested to me that it was iron deposits in the lymph glands of the abdomen.  Most of my abdominal pains seem to be from helicobactor pylori which led to 6 duodenal ulcers and supposedly adhesions from early surgery. Because it thrives on iron, we are prone to it and in my case it keeps reoccurring.

I probably also have lots of endometriosis remaining in my abdomen filling up with iron.

Have you googled 'amitriptyline' - a muscle relaxant, possibly for arthritis, and an antidepressant.  Does that relate to the pain you are feeling?

Am I reading right - your abdominal pain comes on just after venesection?  Have you phoned your country's HH association and asked for answers from them, they may put you through to an 'expert'.  If at first you don't succeed, be persistent.

Let us know when you are able to get a solution - it is very intriguing.

speaking of this, though, I am a bit surprised that you wouldn't always be given fluids before and during your phlebotomies like I am. Because I deal with different nurses every time I go in, I make sure that it's both in my chart and I am very firm with telling them that I need half a large bag before we start, then you can stick the needle in me, and then as my blood is being drawn out, the rest of the fluid comes into my body. I need that or else I will 100% pass out because I drain way too fast and I am also only 5'3'' and 120 lbs so that much blood loss that quickly is too much for my body to handle.

I always gorge myself on water and juice beforehand (I think I literally pee about 100 times a day when I go in for them) and I ALWAYS stop at tim hortons and buy a doughnut to eat on top of them giving me some of those disgusting digestible cookies that I eat during.

Megan..Are those drips glucose or sodium? I think it's a great idea. Glucose has worked the best for me during surgeries. Appreciate your knowledge of HH.

Alibi, I also have disturbance on the right side below the ribs..I know that can be constipation..Just hoping the liver isn't involved, too...You both have enlightened me re: abdominal pains associated with H..