Just Returned from the doctor

[btsmith]

I just returned from the doctor (primary) and he told me that my anemia is not caused by hep C but rather bleeding into the spleen from my cirrosis.   Comment if you want.

[btsmith]

   I very much appreciate you input also.   I feel that I am getting very close to taking this thing and steering it the direction it needs to go.
   This site is like the best thing that ever happened to my medical malaise.

Thanks again.
BTsmith

[btsmith]

   I very much appreciate your input.  
Btsmith

[Texas714]

I thought I had RA.  I was so sure of that fact that I insisted on seeing a specialist.  That is how I found out I was in the same shape Hector's in.  The arthritis thing was no longer importaint to me.  Another thing I discovered was once I started Tx(treatment) for the HCV my "arthritis" pain cleared up!  My doctor told me it was the HCV working on me that caused the symtoms of the RA.  Of course this is just my experience but I believe you should really put the HCV issue ahead of the RA issue you are having or at least on the same level.
Good Luck to you.

[HectorSF]

I think this will explain how your cirrhosis is causing low RBC.

"The spleen normally acts as a filter to remove older red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (small particles that are important for the clotting of blood.). The blood that drains from the spleen joins the blood in the portal vein from the intestines. As the pressure in the liver's portal vein rises in cirrhosis, it increasingly blocks the flow of blood from the spleen. The blood “backs-up” and accumulates in the spleen, and the spleen swells in size, a condition referred to as splenomegaly. Sometimes, the spleen is so swollen that it causes abdominal pain.

As the spleen enlarges, it filters out more and more of the blood cells and platelets until their numbers in the blood are reduced. Hypersplenism is the term used to describe this condition, and it is associated with a low red blood cell count (anemia), low white blood cell count (leucopenia), and/or a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). The anemia can cause weakness, the leucopenia can lead to infections, and the thrombocytopenia can impair the clotting of blood and result in prolonged bleeding."

Cheers!
Hector

[btsmith]

  Thanks for the input.  My rheumo says the anemia is from rheumatoid arthritis, my gi says it's from internal bleeding,  I am more confused than ever.  I am new here so what does tx mean?  Thanks again "sleepless in Portland"

[dranurag]

bleeding from spleen or breakdown of RBCs by speen?---hypersplenism. In the latter case you have portal hypertention and cirrhosis. Think about Tx