How to Raise Hemoglobin Levels

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  • Rewriter
    Rewriter Member Posts: 493 Member
    #22
    RoseyR said:

    Your Inquiries about my Hemoglobin


    Dear Jill,

    Thanks for the reminders about lemons and limes and their alkalinity. Their vitamin C, I've discovered, also helps to absorb whatever iron you'be had in a meal.

    Re bananas: perhaps I have it backwards; had thought that ripe bananas were acidic and upripe bananas were alkaline. (Whatever the case, ripe have a far higher glucose count; perhaps that's what I'd feared. I also prefer the taste of slightly green bananas.

    I forget whether you yourself had trouble with hemoglobin; if so, did you need to take iron or have a transfusion? You seem to be doing well these days, thank heaven.

    Best,
    Rosey

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  • Rewriter
    Rewriter Member Posts: 493 Member
    #23
    RoseyR said:

    Your Inquiries about my Hemoglobin


    Dear Jill,

    Thanks for the reminders about lemons and limes and their alkalinity. Their vitamin C, I've discovered, also helps to absorb whatever iron you'be had in a meal.

    Re bananas: perhaps I have it backwards; had thought that ripe bananas were acidic and upripe bananas were alkaline. (Whatever the case, ripe have a far higher glucose count; perhaps that's what I'd feared. I also prefer the taste of slightly green bananas.

    I forget whether you yourself had trouble with hemoglobin; if so, did you need to take iron or have a transfusion? You seem to be doing well these days, thank heaven.

    Best,
    Rosey

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  • RoseyR
    RoseyR Member Posts: 471 Member
    #24
    minniejan said:

    feeling better
    Hello Rosey,

    I did have the transfusion, it was actually more painful than the chemo treatments, during the transfusion itself. I breezed through the chemo treatments at the facility, slept mostly! The blood transfusing took much longer than they told me it would, but doesn't everything? I had to have my arm wrapped in a blanket from my fingers to my elbow with two small chemical heat pads in the blanket during the second bag. I suffered with aching pain during the transfusing of the first bag, then spoke up. I was also given Tylenol. I was told it was due to the refrigeration of the blood product and is quite common. They were also taking my blood pressure often on that same arm. (My blood pressure was quite low, which for me is unusual.) I asked them to switch to the other arm with the cuff. The pain was only during the transfusions themselves, everything was fine afterwards. I wish I had spoken up as soon as the aching pain started. It was worth it though, I do feel better. And my color is much improved, according to friends.

    I had chemo and brachytherapy radiation at the same time, and am finished with both! I was given the transfusion due to my symptoms, the heart pounding, and the inability to climb stairs without having to lay down. I was so utterly exhausted I could do nothing. One symptom I had that they thought might be due to the low numbers was extreme cold in my extremities but that still persists. I am still wearing lightweight gloves around the house and two pair of warm socks!

    I call the chemo nurse at HUP whenever I have questions, and I am fortunate that one of my daughters is an inpatient chemo nurse at another hospital, so she helps me understand and process a lot of the jargon. She also knew just by looking at me prior to the results of the blood work that I would need a transfusion, so when the call came on Monday morning I was somewhat mentally prepared. I am so blessed to have her, she drives home to see me as often as possible. She even went with me to all my chemo treatments.

    After my exam prior to my third chemo I was automatically given a slip for blood work, which was the case after the first two treatments as well. I have the blood work locally.

    And the good news is that my CA 125 is down to 6! My next blood work and exam will be in late May with the gynecologic oncologist and June with my radiation oncologist.

    Take care. MinnieJan

    Thanks for this Depiction

    MinnieJan,

    I appreciate your description of the process; it sounds a bit painful but not excruciating should I need it.
    I got several tips from your account, very helpful.

    Hope you have a great trip to see your son--and enjoy your great CA12 results!

    Best,
    Rosey
  • Rajinder Kapoor
    Rajinder Kapoor Member Posts: 1
    #25
    How to raise Hb level
    My Brother in law who is having O-ve blood group is suffering from Stomach cancer and which has reached to the bones also. His Hb level has come down to 8. Even after transfusing 1 unit of blood, Hb level did not increase but remained at the same level. Shall appreciate if you can advise what diet should be adopted to increase his Hb level and also what precautions are very important during chemotherapy treatment
  • Dorisc
    Dorisc Member Posts: 1
    #26
    RoseyR said:

    Your Inquiries about my Hemoglobin


    Dear Jill,

    Thanks for the reminders about lemons and limes and their alkalinity. Their vitamin C, I've discovered, also helps to absorb whatever iron you'be had in a meal.

    Re bananas: perhaps I have it backwards; had thought that ripe bananas were acidic and upripe bananas were alkaline. (Whatever the case, ripe have a far higher glucose count; perhaps that's what I'd feared. I also prefer the taste of slightly green bananas.

    I forget whether you yourself had trouble with hemoglobin; if so, did you need to take iron or have a transfusion? You seem to be doing well these days, thank heaven.

    Best,
    Rosey

    hemoglobin low

    I am not a cancer survivor but they suspect Im bleeding because of prolonged low blood count. Did eating and supplements bring yours up speedily?

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