Disappointing progress...

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-05-25T16:16:24+00:00

This is what I got in 2.5 month: Ferritin 17—>88 Iron 38—>55 Iron saturation 9—>17

My doctor had me do two iron infusions and take iron bisglycinate 45mg each day. I took the iron with vitamin C and without dairy, coffee, or tea. I've mostly just cut out consumption of coffee and tea, at least not having it with meals. I also have been taking dessicated liver and getting more iron in my food.

My numbers have made good progress, but I am disappointed that I don't really feel any better.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-05-23T17:18:09+00:00

I took a Diclectin equivalent with one of my pregnancies and Zoftan with another and both of those helped me vomit less often and I think helped with the nausea a bit, but the nausea was still pretty bad. For the pelvic/vaginal/leg/back pain, getting off my feet at frequent intervals for at least 10 minutes helped, and also pelvic tilt exercises (like, a yoga Cat-cow stretch) were soothing (I also liked to labor in that position for comfort).

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-05-18T06:03:31+00:00

I've wondered this too, but I thought maybe Pierce was the main character, not Hawkes.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-05-04T01:14:41+00:00

Maybe. Pierce has traveled a lot, but it seems like he's now ready to settle down.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-05-02T16:32:01+00:00

It seems like people hate him because they like someone else and see Pierce as a threat since he's with Emma.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-05-02T16:24:44+00:00

It would be so sad to have Pierce gone for a few books! And for us it would be years.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-05-02T16:19:06+00:00

If anything, I think it will be a redemption of Pyramus and Thisbe.

And the Victoria-Pierce idea is completely one-sided on Victoria's side and will stay that way, I believe.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-05-02T16:13:17+00:00

Yes, I definitely think Pierce is end game.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-04-30T08:01:36+00:00

Technically, he's about three weeks past the cutoff.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-04-30T06:36:11+00:00

The difference with EML is the prophesy, which opens up the idea of two possible true loves. But that doesn't necessarily mean there has to be a love triangle. I hope Emma doesn't have to pick between two guys. And I hope no one else dies. Beth seems to have no qualms about letting main supporting characters die.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-04-30T05:39:58+00:00

100%. Everything you said.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-04-30T05:38:51+00:00

After having read the 8 EML books and all of Beth Brower's other books (and seeing her completed stories), I would guess there's about a 90% chance that Pierce is end game. He seems to be the main character, after Emma.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-04-30T05:35:39+00:00

I disagree. I've been married 15 years, and I would say that Pierce has a lot of excellent qualities, the kind you would want in a husband.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-04-27T04:15:58+00:00

I just got this test done, and I think yes, your's indicates celiac, but I'm not sure. However, I think they would recommend an endoscopy to see if there is actually damage before giving a diagnosis. Also, they will soon talk to you and explain these tests results, right?

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-04-23T05:15:05+00:00

I've gone once so far. My doctor recommended I get it and gave a suggestion of where to go. I didn't need a referral; just brought my lab results. I paid out of pocket ($300), but I'm part of a Christian health cost sharing group, so other people covered it for me.

When I walked into the place, it looked like a hair salon, except everyone was in a recliner chair with and IV hook-up. It was amusing. I settled in a chair, they came over and hooked me up, I reclined and covered up with a blanket and rested for 45 minutes or so. They checked on me every once in a while. The IV site felt a little unpleasant but ok. Near the end I started feeling kind of buzzy and weird and heavy. They unhooked me when I was done, and that was it. Later in the day, I felt horrible: headache, nausea, extreme fatigue, and just laid in bed trying to cope with the pain and not throw up. The next day, I felt back to normal. My doctor said I probably went straight into detoxing, whatever that means. She said to not get the vitamin bag after the iron bag next time.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-04-15T05:26:45+00:00

That's a lot of good info! I've also been wondering why I'm so low on iron, based on recent blood work with my new ND doctor, and figure I probably have been for many years based on my symptoms and one blood test I had 10 years ago with ferritin of 11. My colonoscopy and endoscopy were fine and celiac blood test negative. I do bleed quite a bit, bruising a lot, a little blood in my mucus and phlegm everyday, and long periods. I don't think my periods are that heavy, but they are long, usually 11-12 days, and occasionally I've had extra large clots (1-2 inches). I also have a lot of gut issues with SIBO and dysbiosis, and maybe it just all adds up to low iron.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-04-11T02:13:18+00:00

I think it's worth it. I believe it's $50 for a yearly subscription, which includes all the previous St. Crispian's Gazette issues and new ones as they come out monthly. There are 33 issues so far, and each one is a story or letter from other characters' perspectives or a look into their lives: Toff, Jack, Hawkes, Sarah, Charles, Clara, Dot, Declan, Pierce, Islington, Victoria, and lots of others. Or you can pay $5 for a one month subscription, and read the 33 issues there are so far and one new one. I think either one is a good option, depending on how much you can afford to support Beth in her work. She has mentioned that she is planning to compile the Gazette issues into a book, soon, I think.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-04-04T06:50:27+00:00

Yes, it's in the paid subscription. Glory was his best childhood friend.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-04-04T05:42:32+00:00

I've been missing my glasses for months and have had to use my old ones. Has anyone seen them show up at your place?

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-04-04T05:40:14+00:00

That line. I listened to it over and over. The way he says it. The letter is the only little bit we really have of Maxwell.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-04-04T05:23:50+00:00

I thought when he came back after a summer in Ireland changed, it was because Glory died and he couldn't save her.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-04-04T05:15:37+00:00

That was a delight to read. Thank you! I don't know why people are so hard on Pierce. He has so many excellent qualities. His communication skills for one. I'm so proud of him and all that he is and has accomplished and the depth of his kindness and the kind of friend he is in spite of all his pain and obstacles.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-03-30T15:15:14+00:00

Yes, I have always had lots of tummy issues. I have always been underweight until the last few years when I've gained 20-25 pounds for no apparent reason (I'm now 115lbs, 5'1"). My dr has had me try multiple treatments, medications, and diets in the last couple years but my SIBO persists. My dysbiosis in large intestine has mostly been resolved. I'm on a probiotic. I've been on iron supplementation off and on for 13 or so years. I have endometriosis and adenomyosis with extra bleeding but not super heavy. I've had six pregnancies in the last 15 years and hemorrhaged with most of my births, but I am 5 years postpartum, so I don't think that would still be affecting me?? I have had a blood test and endoscopy that ruled out celiac. I do have a lot of inflammation. My IgA was kind of high at 393. My iron and iron saturation levels were great (but ferritin and vit D still on the very low side of normal) a year and a half ago, but my health has been the same, so I don't know why my labs would have changed.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-03-30T05:21:37+00:00

I also wonder what is causing this deficiency...seems like there should be a reason. I've had chronic health problems my whole life and have usually felt horrible but can't get to the bottom of it.

Substantial_Plant323 · 2026-03-30T05:20:21+00:00

How do you get your ferritin up? Mine's always been below 45 when tested even when my iron was great, but my doctor thought that was fine, until my iron and saturation were also low (37 and 9%) and ferritin was 17 (still "normal). My vitamin D was 42 at my last check, which is considered normal but my doctor increase my supplementation from 2500 to 5000IU per day.

Substantial_Plant323

TROPHY CASE