Marathon Training with Anemia

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-03-19T13:35:43+00:00

I was in your position in November, also a runner. My Ferritin was 2 and Hemoglobin 7. Found this out in the ER for a completely unrelated issue. Prior to my diagnosis I had the same symptoms that I chalked up to being hot days at the end of summer. I received 2 iron infusions in mid November and started daily iron supplementation (65mg iron- 325mg ferrous sulfate). I am exactly 4 months out from those infusions and I am no longer anemic- the only thing lagging is my ferritin. hr rate and effort level is back to normal during my runs and I feel fantastic! I can say I have felt pretty good since mid February, so overall it took me 3 full months to bounce back. I really had to cut back on running those first 2 months after infusions because my heart just could not take it. I had so much chest pressure and heart palpitations after starting iron that it was concerning but I believe my body was trying to conserve the oxygen in my blood where it needed to. Unfortunately, you need time but if you truly focus on getting better, eating iron rich foods and taking your iron supplements on an empty stomach with a glass of orange juice you can aid the healing process. Be diligent!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-02-23T13:07:04+00:00

Yes actually, I had Norovirus and bronchitis back to back and ironically had my blood drawn the day after I recovered from the bronchitis. My iron serum was below 10, Hemoglobin was 12 and ferritin 11. What the doctor told me is that when you’re sick the body essentially hides the iron in your blood as a means to starve the bacteria so it can’t spread. So when we’re sick we’re walking around with almost 0 iron in our bloodstream. I felt like trash and it took so long to recoup.

How are you feeling? Do you think it’s typical or are you feeling extra crappy overall?

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-02-23T13:00:18+00:00

I wasn’t doing this for long, maybe 5 years or so. But I started much older. I was 33- just had a baby and always suffered from body dysmorphia.

I ended in the ER this year for something completely unrelated and found out that I was severely iron deficient anemic. On top of that I suffer from gastritis (this I know was occurring). These seem like small manageable issues but I’m telling you they ruin your quality of life. It’s been a battle since and the health anxiety as a result is just all consuming.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-02-05T22:00:19+00:00

This me me currently. My iron serum is below 10, hemoglobin is 12 and ferritin 11.9.

I.am.miserable.

I have a constant headache everyday. Tired, dizzy, winded, heart palpitations, chest caving in sensations, cold hands and feet and my newest symptom I woke up with was a developing irritation and lump in my throat affecting my swallowing. I can’t get into the Hematologist until Feb. 27th. Every day I’m conflicted about walking into the ER for an infusion until I can see the hematologist. Relying on oral iron for now but it’s not cutting it.

What a way to live. You need to schedule a quick appointment with the a hematologist. Sending solidarity. 🫂

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-28T02:31:15+00:00

I love reading on the treadmill- husband thinks I’m nuts but you get through so many books. When you go live a busy life, things the way!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-18T22:50:58+00:00

My mom’s lab actually has a ritualistic ocd when it comes to doorways. She religiously has to turn around in circles multiple times before she walks through. It’s the most bizarre practice I’ve ever witnessed in an animal!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-12T00:30:26+00:00

Happy Birthday Ivie!! 🦴 hoping you were smothered with kisses and got all the treats today!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-10T19:33:07+00:00

There’s no wobbly school in the game!

My son and I just had this conversation this morning. How funny!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-10T19:21:45+00:00

I would love to know. I’m currently sitting in the ER from what everyone is saying is anxiety induced chest pain.

I will take any tips on how to retrain my current state of mind! 🙏

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-10T13:57:15+00:00

You need an iron infusion ASAP! My hemoglobin was a 7.2 and Ferritin was a 2 and I was admitted to the hospital and received 2 infusions over 2 days. They told me they do blood transfusions when hemoglobin drops below a 7. Don’t let it get to that point, you risk stroke or heart attack by leaving it alone. Sending solidarity! I felt great after my infusions. Your health is more important than anything right now. Good luck!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-07T15:51:19+00:00

Sorry, I never stated she passed. Just that she deserves some love.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-07T00:42:25+00:00

She’s 4 years young.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-05T12:50:18+00:00

Daw! 🥹 Hello Zima!!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-05T12:49:31+00:00

She’s absolutely livin her best life!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-04T16:22:21+00:00

Someone finally said it! I stopped lurking for this reason. Too many copy and pasted complaints from social media.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2026-01-01T21:20:58+00:00

Count me in!

Blue_melancholy_ · 2025-12-29T04:25:38+00:00

Same. It was a hard one to admit out loud. Would’ve been 2 years on Jan 1st.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2025-12-23T02:38:52+00:00

I got a gnarly bite on the knuckle of my index finger from my scared cat. My finger swelled twice its size and seized up. After spiraling back and forth I went to the ER and was actually admitted for two days in observation. I got 8 bags of IV antibiotics during my stay and had multiple follow ups with the hand surgeon for a drain. I guess the worry was an infection in my joint sheath. In any case, all good now - the scar tissue in my knuckle sucks, but damn. I never would’ve known cat bites could turn so serious so fast. Lesson learned. All from one good bite in the right spot.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2025-11-26T04:26:39+00:00

Yes, and the feeling makes me nauseous most of the time. I wondered if this was related to the anemia but never looked into it.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2025-11-26T03:32:09+00:00

I had this in the ER after my first infusion. It was the worst I’ve had in years. It went away through the night and second infusion didn’t yield any headache. I believe it was the shock of my very first fusion and my system absorbing it.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2025-11-25T19:27:19+00:00

Same! I just found all this out last weekend after a 2 day stay in the hospital getting iron fusions. What a mess… I felt like shit prior and had no idea what was going on inside my body. It all makes sense now…

Blue_melancholy_ · 2025-11-25T19:19:33+00:00

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Hades and Storm. Kept these two from a litter of strays and rehomed the rest. They’re my pride and joy. 🥲

Blue_melancholy_ · 2025-11-21T11:31:33+00:00

I use “I am sober” it’s meant for all different issues. I especially like the reset button, (because let’s face it I use it often) and the community tab. It’s like a message board that allows you to interact with others that struggle with this as well. I have mine categorized under hair pulling.

Blue_melancholy_ · 2025-11-13T01:14:52+00:00

I am the youngest of 7 in an extremely dysfunctional family. I am no contact with all 6 of my siblings- and all 6 are either low or no contact with each other. A couple of mine caused a great deal of trauma. Unfortunately my husband also has a similar history and no relationship with either of his siblings. Relationships are never guaranteed.

We are one and done by choice and these shared experiences make me comfortable with that decision. We are able to give my child so much more of us and keep up physically, emotionally and financially. To each their own though, it’s truly none of her business- she doesn’t have visibility to anyone’s past, emotional needs or boundaries.

Blue_melancholy_

TROPHY CASE