What Is Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia?

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia, warm type, is a rare blood disorder.  In my case there isn't an underlying condition.  My bone marrow produces antibodies that attack my healthy red blood cells.  Auntibodies usually help kill off infections and illnesses.  Healthy read blood cells transport many things throughout your body.  I follow my hemoglobin counts closely, others may choose another count in which to follow.  Hemoglobin is what carries oxygen throughout your body. 

I was diagnosed when I was 15. I had been sick off and on during the summer and when I started tenth grade I started missing a lot of school and was very pale.   I felt as though I had the flu. I went to the doctor several times because my grandmother kept commenting on my color and me missing school. It wasn't till mid October that they finally ran labs on me. I went up, got the labs taken, went home and went to sleep.  I got a phone call a few hours later that I needed to get up to the hospital and see the Oncologist right away.  My mother came and got me and we went up to our local small town hospital.  They had specialists that came down from Erie, Pa who ran the Oncology center.   They ran more tests. They told me to a degree what was going on. But didn't have a definitive answer as to what my illness was.  I think it took them a week, perhaps more to tell me what I had.  Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia, warm type.  They put me on Prednisone, a steroid, and told me in most cases it clears up within a month or two after being on the meds. 

Let me alert anyone right now... if your doctor puts you on high doses of prednisone for a long time it is not good for your bones. I've had two hip replacements and I am only 27. I'll get to the hip replacements at a later point. Just remember, it can make you horribly moody, gain lots of weight and cause many other problems. Small doses for a short time is ok, but I do not advise long term high doses. Mind you I am not a doctor. This is just my opinion.  Please make sure you talk to your doctor about anything. It's your body, your life.. take part in your health.

After a month or two passed and there was no change in my counts my doctors decided to do a splenectomy.  First though they tried to rule out any secondary causes to make sure the AIHA wasn't being caused by another more serious illness.  So, when January rolled around, I had my first major surgery.  And they did it the old fashion way.  Had I or they of waited three more months, it would of been done with a scope and just a few small scars. Instead I now have a scar that goes up about 4-5 inches from my belly button.  It wasn't an easy surgery.  I was horribly nauseous and it was a long recovery.  Now it is standard operation to do it via scope.

I'm going to stop now. I will try to update once a week.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. I've had this illness for 12 years now.