Scleroderma- Iron Deficiency

Scleroderma sufferers often exhibit a condition called Watermelon Stomach where `red markings on the stomach lining cause a very slow bleed. The red markings are tiny blood vessels bleeding. The bleed is not noticeable but results in low haemoglobin and iron deficiency. I am told by my doctors that the condition also makes it difficult to absorb Iron thru food or tablets via the stomach. The iron deficiency results in fatigue. I had many many blood tests before the iron deficiency showed up and I think the type of Iron Test you do is important here. I have been diagnosed with scleroderma for 5 years. It was only when my haemoglobin dropped so low I had to have a transfusion that I was sent for an endoscopy and colonoscopy to source the cause of the bleeding. The endoscopy showed two areas of Watermelon Stomach in the stomach lining. The specialist advised I could try an argon plasma treatment to close the ends of the tiny bleeding blood vessels or Iron Infusion.
Sent to another blood specialist I spent 10 months trying to take iron tablets but they only caused more fatigue. Then they realised I was unable to absorb Iron this way. So finally got the Iron Infusion......which is like a blood transfusion of a bag of iron (takes about 6 hours). Two weeks have passed and the Iron Infusion has made a big difference to the fatigue being back to some kind of normality.
Next I am off to the Gastro Specialist to consider the Argon Plasma treatment. Tweet