Anemia seems to affect many of my family members including myself. I have pernicious anemia (lack of vitamin b-12). I have to take a double dose (2cc) shot of b-12 every month (I give them to myself in my hip). My iron levels dropped when I was pregnant with my DD (16 years ago) and never seemed to rebound. In fact, they got worse. The levels were so low when I was first diagnosed that I was getting the b-12 shots weekly for almost two months to get within a normal range. Now, as long as I get my shot every month (I mark it on the calendar but I can tell when I am due---I ache all over and am tired all the time right before I am due a shot) I'm OK. My mother has this also. My grandmother has low iron levels from time to time and gets b-12 shots a few times a year but does not have pernicious anemia.
My uncle is in the process now of the iron infusions. He said it IS painful and at first, it made him sick with flu-like symptoms. He is on his 4th round and his levels aren't up to normal yet. They think he will have to have at least two more infusions.
I know that pernicious anemia is hereditary and I am guessing that other forms of anemia are as well. I was told that I will have to take the shots the rest of my life and that there is not enough liver (YUCK!) or b-12 tablets in the world to bring or keep my levels in the normal range. So...really it's no biggy. I take a shot once a month...it makes me feel better!
