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What Causes Weakness And Dizziness After Blood Transfusion?

Posted on Mon, 12 May 2014

Question: Normal hemoglobin after transfusion but still weak and dizzy with muscle twitching and headaches and brain fog. Why??

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Need more info Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the query It hard for me to come to a conclusion with the information you have given me, If you could please get back to me with the following info I would be in a better position to help you 1. Why was the transfusion given? What was the Hb at the time of transfusion 2. Please mention all the medications you are currently on 3. How many days were you hospitalized? It would be helpful if you could upload the picture of the Discharge summary 4. Please mention all the illnesses you might be suffering from. Please get back to me, I am awaiting your reply Thank you Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (9 minutes later)

I have fibroids. I had the uterine artery embolization a month ago. Period was better but still heavy. They said in 2-3 more months it should dramatically increase. My hemoglobin was at 9. Because of past hemorraging they gave me two units. Monday my hemoglobin was 11.6. So I'm sure I'm at a 12 by now. Ferritin was 26 last month. I wasn't hospitalized. This time. Usually below 8 they will. I am on protonix 20mg every other day (trying to wean off) Effexor 37.5 Seroquel for sleep 1/2 of 25mg And xanax if needed. The muscle twitching, brain fog and dizziness keeps me in bed mostly. Surgeon said 2-3 months. My bleeding was light to spotting til last period. Couple days of heavy then I passed a fibroid. No spotting or bleeding since. But drs are telling me because hemo was 11.6. I'm fine. It was 13.1 last month and I still didn't feel fine. Very groggy and off balance with fast heart rate I have struggled with acid reflux and endo and fibroids. I've been anemic for 7 yrs but not had this severe of exhaustion, muscle twitching and off balance.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Adverse drug reaction Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the query The symptoms you are currently suffering from looks like adverse effects of the drugs you are on 1. The cloudiness of the mind and groggy feeling is the effect of Effexor 2. The Muscle twitching is a known side effect of Seroquel It has definitely nothing to do with the levels of the Hb, 11.6 is a good value where symptoms of anemia will not be present I strongly advice you to approach the prescribing doctor to either reduce the dose or to put you on an alternate treatment Continue taking Protanix for the acid reflux, if you are still symptomatic then I advice you to take 40 mg once daily before food I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (5 minutes later)

Hmmm ok. The reason the seroquel was added 10 months ago was the twitching restless legs at night. So that happened before. As for the Effexor. I've been on it a long time without grogginess and foggy headedness. But I will speak with physician. Ty

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: Hello Detailed Answer: Thanks for getting back You have been put on the right treatment for restless leg syndrome. Grogginess and foggy head are normal side effects of the drug. It can arise anytime during the treatment, maybe a little dose adjustment is required for now. Please discuss this option with your doctor. If he thinks otherwise then probably a neurological evaluation with a CT brain might be required at a later date. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (4 hours later)

Ok I'm thinking it might be the seroquel. Why do the symptoms like RLS kick in about 9 hours after I take it?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (25 hours later)

Brief Answer: Hello Detailed Answer: It could be Seroquel as well but Effexor is known to cause these side effects more than Seroquel The reason why you are getting RLS is because the half life of Seroquel is about 9 hours. So once the blood levels of seroquel has reduced in your system the symptoms are back I hope I was of help Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar