Hi, My name is Mariele Ingram. I’m from South Africa, Mpumalanga, Piet Retief.
I am a 40 year old female. Mother of 3 active boys.
I’ve been diagnosed with Hemochromatosis about a year and a half ago.
My story begin with terrible stomach ache, muscle ache, and losing weight. I was referred to a specialist by my local doctor. I was then booked for a operation on my colon. I was told that a small piece of colon will be removed due to the fact that apparently there was a prolapse and thickening of colon on small piece of colon.
When I was finally discharged after 9 days in high care and a visit back to theather, cause I was bleeding internally, I got informed that I had a total colectomy. They could only save a small piece to prevent me from wearing a bag. Specialist explained that when he opened up my colon appeared black and had to remove it cause it was “dead”.
Nearly a year later I ended in another doctors room, that finally diagnosed me with hemochromatosis. Colon colour was due to iron overload.
My journey started there.
My weight is 42 kg I’m 1.69 in height. I donate blood every 3 weeks. I’m having a difficult time with treatment, due to the fact that I don’t have a colon.
Drinking Exjade 500mg.
But still have difficulties to control iron level.
Dr says its due to fact that Exjade not properly been absorbed in body due to fact that I don’t have a colon. My bone density test came back and that showed that my bones are the same as a 85 year old woman. L1-4 the most affected and both hips.
So glad I got your site. Have a difficult time to get use to all this.
What a relief to finally get a site that have answers to most of my questions. I’m sure we will all learn from here as we go.
Will keep you updated on my progress… I haven’t been so positive in a long time.
