hypovolemic shock and abdominal pains
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi,
I have suffered from haemochromatosis for 13 years. I have severe abdominal pains and take amitriptyline for the pain. Unfortunately this only dulls the pain. Is there a better painkiller to get rid of this as it really getting me down. Today I was venesected and suffred from hypovolemic shock and became very ill. The abdominal pain was excruciating and have been told that this was not normal. If anyone could shed some light on what causes the abdominal pains it would be a great help.
1 like, 11 replies
megan36105
Posted
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.
megan36105
Posted
fasthorse
Posted
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.
albi68
Posted
ZoeRPM albi68
Posted
sheryl37154 albi68
Posted
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.
megan36105 albi68
Posted
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.
sheryl37154 megan36105
Posted
I will ask where I have my venesections if they do that for anyone.
Albi - I would request that first if I were you. If not forthcoming, try the other options. I wonder if your abdominal pain after venesections would be a non event then?
megan36105 sheryl37154
Posted
I've also had it where they will sometimes pick up the bag that I'm filling up and they will hold it about level to my arm so that the blood has to travel almost upwards into the bag, making it fill much slower than normal
fasthorse albi68
Posted
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..
megan36105 fasthorse
Posted
It's just a regular IV saline drip - so it's sodium.
It helps me so much though. The only time I managed without was the very first time but that was because my adrenalin was pumping since it took 45 mins just to find a vein. God that was so awful. So my body just wanted me to get out of there.
But every other time the drip has been a necessity for me and it's helped so much. I feel slightly weak afterwards because of the blood loss but I never feel like I'm going to pass out or anything like that. I'm able to walk out of the clinic on my own just fine and I can make it the few blocks it then takes to meet up with my bf.