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NOW I NEED A BLOOD TRANFUSION!!

Posted , 11 users are following.

sarah22500
sarah22500

My god what else can go wrong, horrendously low blood pressure, 1st blood test after op showed borderline anaemia now 4 days post op it’s gone down again - a lot - so

blood transfusion needed. 

Thanks to all you lovely people on here I now understand how common low blood pressure after a THR is. But I’ve just been told my 2nd blood test is lower than my first so not only have I now got to have a blood transfusion but they can’t get a cannula in because my veins keep collapsing. Have any of you hippies had this happen and why do you get more anaemic as the days post op go on?

0 likes, 16 replies

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  • shari11576
    shari11576 sarah22500

    Posted

    I am about to have a replacement in two weeks. I have very low blood pressure and anemic even before surgery. I am glad I read your post as I will really reiterate this to my surgeon. I think blood transfusions are common as it is routine here in Canada to test blood incase of a transfusion.

    sounds like you are in good hands!

    • joyce66162
      joyce66162 shari11576

      Posted

      Oh Shari, I do not recommend going into surgery with anemia as everything is harder when anemic & suffering low bp.  It takes 28 days to make new red blood cells, so I don’t know what to recommend to you.  As long as you are aware & can get enough blood after surgery, you may not feel the effects.  I lost considerable blood during surgery so maybe that was the tipping point. I wish I had known of my problem beforehand. I will next time if I have to repeat on the other side.  Eat lots of red meat for now!

    • shari11576
      shari11576 joyce66162

      Posted

      Thank you Joyce! I have my pre op next week so will discuss my blood results. I am taking iron supplements and vitamins so hopefully that will be enough. They did tell me that there is a small chance of a transfusion so they habe it all ready before they start.
  • joyce66162
    joyce66162 sarah22500

    Posted

    Sarah, 

    Oh yes. I had low bp and anemic & it was horrendous. With anemia you can’t seem to do anything of importance like walking and working with therapist. I almost fainted the first time I stood due to both. I had a total of bags of blood but I don’t know if that is a “unit” or not.  I had to have bp taken every time I sat up and tried to stand to ensure I wouldn’t try to faint. This was actually the worst part of my THR. Good luck to you, I completely understand. 

    Joyce

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy sarah22500

    Posted

    As I said I had a blood transfusion. There is nothing to it they just give you some blood. I then had a drip afterwards.  I had terrible trouble with the cannula. I am not sure the doctor who tried to put it in was much good though. He tried four times on my right hand taking about an hour then gave up. A nurse put one in my left hand in the end. When I came out of hospital I looked as if I was a street fighter. 
  • tom56775
    tom56775 sarah22500

    Posted

    Same thing. They had a intern trying to start iv. Finally a nurse saw him after failing 3 times she told him the veins u are trying are too small. I having been a medic in the army told her I had let him know this , no which he chose to ignore. She did it in 1 try. Don't be afraid to speak up if u are not comfortable with anything to do with your medical care. Good luck.

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK sarah22500

    Posted

    Oh yes, collapsing veins ......... I get that.  When they try to put one into my wife, they can never find the vein at all.

    Why is it that when things start to slide, it just gets worse and worse? frown

    At least you know they are trying hard to get you back up on your feet.

    We're all thinking of you

    Best wishes

    Graham

  • auntiebeanie
    auntiebeanie sarah22500

    Posted

    Sarah ask them to get a phlebotomist down to put the canula in. After an op we can bleed into the tissues still so some of us can get away without it and some can't. Listen hun, I had an epidural that only worked on the unoperated side but luckily had a GA as well. Woke up in terrible pain which lasted for days, around op site, got an infection, had IV antibiotics for 3 days, felt sick, had no appetite had leg like an elephant, couldn't lift my leg in and out of bed myself with the swelling for a week, couldn't sleep on my back for 6 weeks which was hell, but i am still glad i had it done. Just concentrate on getting yourself better again, If I needed the other one done any time i wouldnt hesitate. xx

  • lisa31002
    lisa31002 sarah22500

    Posted

    Hi, as well as the blood loss during surgery you've had a great chunk of bone marrow taken out of your femur to get the metal stem in. Bone marrow makes blood cells so it's no wonder your body is struggling to adjust. Rest and try to eat to get nutrients back in you body 🍔

    • sarah22500
      sarah22500 lisa31002

      Posted

      Ahh I had forgotten about the bone marrow. My consultant said something in theatre about getting the metal stem inserted being a bit challenging. I can’t remember what exactly but will ask him if I remember. Thank you for reminding me of the marrow Lisa. 
    • monkeypearl
      monkeypearl sarah22500

      Posted

      Hi Sarah. 😊

      Hope things start to pick up for ya soon, think I speak for all on the site, when I say good luck and all the best for a speedy recovery and getting back on your feet.

      Stay safe 😀

      Pete

  • maree32074
    maree32074 sarah22500

    Posted

    Hi Sarah,

    This has happened to me after 2 THR and then a revision.  I had several bags of blood after 1st THR and am grateful this was available.  Not sure why this happens but I was told I bled a bit during surgery for my 1st.  Not so bad with 2nd and revision but still needed transfusion.  Made a big difference to my recovery and glad they monitor this. Awful about the veins, I have trouble with these too, so painful, and end up so bruised and fear the cannula insertion more than the surgery!!   All the best.

  • judith12644
    judith12644 sarah22500

    Posted

    Hi Sarah, thinking of you, hang on in there.... At least they’re sorting you out, and hopefully you’ll be in good shape by the time you go home. All the best, Judith 
  • sara98902
    sara98902 sarah22500

    Posted

    Hi Sarah.  I needed a blood transfusion the day after surgery as I kept fainting every time I tried to stand up.  They knew my iron levels were low before the surgery but said I would be fine and so I didn't take iron supplments until after the surgery.  Apaarently they underestimated the blood loss proportionate to my size!!  I must admit I felt horrible and this was the worst part for me after the surgery.  I ended up with four cannulas.  Hope you get sorted soon.  

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