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Unusual symptoms of anemia?
by Rog96, Nov 02, 2009 10:36PM
I am a 24-year-old female. Two months ago, I was experiencing some troubling symptoms -- panic attacks, palpitations, shortness of breath, general fatigue and weakness -- and I went to two different doctors on separate occasions. Both drew blood and performed a general exam with an EKG. Neither doctor could find anything wrong except mild anemia. I have had anemia once in the past (as have my mother and grandmother, on numerous occasions), and due in part to heavy menstrual cycles and what I suspect was an insufficient length of treatment with ferrous sulfate, the anemia returned.
Before my visit to the doctor two months ago, and since, I have noticed some tiny red spots on my upper arm which I now believe to be petechiae. (At the time of my doctor's appointments, I did not believe the spots to be anything more than freckles, as I am very fair-skinned. I have since realized that they can not be freckles, and are most likely petechiae, or perhaps even cherry angiomas.) They are so small that they are almost difficult to see, they seem to cluster together (sometimes in straight lines), and they do not blanch when pressed. I have only a few of them on my forearms and almost none on my hands; they seem to be mostly limited to the outside of each arm between the shoulder and elbow.
The results of my lab work did not indicate anything more troubling than simple anemia, which has set my mind at ease somewhat about the possibility of the petechiae being related to a more serious condition like leukemia or thrombocytopenia. However, in addition to the petechiae, I am still experiencing fatigue and sleepiness, shortness of breath upon exertion, lightheadedness, mild headaches, and occasional dull, aching pain in my joints. I am and always have been underweight, and I did experience many of these symptoms the last time I had anemia; a previous doctor believed that my low body weight was exacerbating the effects of my last bout of anemia, even though it was very mild. However, the joint pain and the red spots on my arms were not present last time.
Could these be nothing more than symptoms of anemia? I am curious to know whether anyone else has experienced petechiae or aches and pains with simple anemia, and whether they fit the diagnosis. Most of my symptoms are very mild and easily managed, but the fact that they do not seem to be commonly associated with anemia causes me some concern. I am unemployed and uninsured, and I would like to get a general idea of where these odd symptoms could be coming from before I pay another visit to the doctor.
Thank you very much for any insight.
Before my visit to the doctor two months ago, and since, I have noticed some tiny red spots on my upper arm which I now believe to be petechiae. (At the time of my doctor's appointments, I did not believe the spots to be anything more than freckles, as I am very fair-skinned. I have since realized that they can not be freckles, and are most likely petechiae, or perhaps even cherry angiomas.) They are so small that they are almost difficult to see, they seem to cluster together (sometimes in straight lines), and they do not blanch when pressed. I have only a few of them on my forearms and almost none on my hands; they seem to be mostly limited to the outside of each arm between the shoulder and elbow.
The results of my lab work did not indicate anything more troubling than simple anemia, which has set my mind at ease somewhat about the possibility of the petechiae being related to a more serious condition like leukemia or thrombocytopenia. However, in addition to the petechiae, I am still experiencing fatigue and sleepiness, shortness of breath upon exertion, lightheadedness, mild headaches, and occasional dull, aching pain in my joints. I am and always have been underweight, and I did experience many of these symptoms the last time I had anemia; a previous doctor believed that my low body weight was exacerbating the effects of my last bout of anemia, even though it was very mild. However, the joint pain and the red spots on my arms were not present last time.
Could these be nothing more than symptoms of anemia? I am curious to know whether anyone else has experienced petechiae or aches and pains with simple anemia, and whether they fit the diagnosis. Most of my symptoms are very mild and easily managed, but the fact that they do not seem to be commonly associated with anemia causes me some concern. I am unemployed and uninsured, and I would like to get a general idea of where these odd symptoms could be coming from before I pay another visit to the doctor.
Thank you very much for any insight.
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Welcome to the forum!
Since you have joint pain, anemia and a rash (red spots on forearm) there is a chance that you have rheumatoid arthritis. Anemia often exists in rheumatoid arthritis.
The other possibility where all your symptoms can be seen is SLE or lupus. There are blood tests available to test for both the diseases. Please consult your doctor regarding these possibilities.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!