I have a nephew, aged 9 who has a J pouch for 2 years. He has been in good health until last month when diagnoised with "illness based anemia". He has diarrhea for 3 weeks and is loosing weight, eventhough he is eating some. His doctors are "waiting" ..... not really sure what is the cause. He is on antibiotics now and appointment next week.
Any advice PLEASE....

Anemia that has other causes ruled out can be assumed to be caused by chronic illness. Basically, the inflammatory response causes a suppression of bone marrow. Sometimes waiting works and treating the underlying disease. Sometimes a transfusion or two is enough. If it is chronic, then erythropoetin (Procrit) injections are given to stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec14/ch172/ch172e.html

Jan

Thanks Jan,
I noticed that other patients with anemia have seen a blood specialist or hematologist. Do they do different test than a regualar blood work? Should that be the next step? Also, his doctor is not encouraging his Mom to give him Imodium, what do you think the reason for that is? Is there anything that he should or should not take that would stop the diarrhea?
Lisa

Hi Lisa - just to let you know, Jan is on vacation until just about the middle of October. So you probably won't hear back from her before then.

kathy

Thank you.
Anyone else have any advice????
PLEASE...

I have chronic anemia and I see a Hematologist. I also have a J-pouch. I have had lots of blood work done to see the feritin levels (iron stores) in my blood. They have also checked for hepatitis and HIV since I have had blood transfusions. Also, for celiac disease which can cause anemia. Just to name a few. I get IV iron every 4 weeks (Infed 750 mg) to just keep me at the the lowest of normal. At the Cleveland Clinic I was told that 27% of the J-pouchers are anemic and they are doing lots of study and spending oodles to see what is causing this. I hope this helps some. I understand how it feels anemic as an adult I can't imagine as a little boy who wants to play and have fun!

Praying for answers for him.
Kelly

Hi Lisa,

I have a 17 year old daughter with a j-pouch who is also anemic. Her hemoglobin is currently at 8 and hematocrit at 22. Other than taking iron, there is really nothing being done to treat it.

At first, it seemed to really bother her, but I think that maybe her body has adjusted, because even though her levels have not improved, her energy level has.

I am sorry your nephew is dealing with this.

ConnieDenise

How about potassium levels?
For me it seemed whenever blood test showed bad anemia, they also showed low potassium. I found that while taking K-lyte (a prescription potassium suppliment) it was easier to keep iron in my blood.
I definitly felt better overall.
Just an idea...
If the anemia has only started in the past month, have there been any environmental changes in the last few months. He could have elevated lead levels. Even a small elevation with 'our kinda problems' will cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies. I actually had a relatively low lead level with an exagerated nutritional effect during my UCed and coloned days.
During americorps when doing lead reduction I found that my lead level rose quicker and higher than my coworkers. For instance, by the time our year long program ended my level was 10 and no one else had higher than 3.5.