The Attack of the Anemia!

Okay, to update you all, I have been taking my iron supplements and keeping up with B12 sublingual spray doses.  Who knows if the stuff actually works in the physiological sense, because I feel better, at least.  The placebo effect has power, indeed!  I was reading that caffeine can alter your ability to absorb iron and impacts B12 levels, too, so I tried switching away from coffee in the morning.

I don't drink the average level that some Americans drink, which is about a gajillion gallons each day.  I normally drink my one 8-10oz serving in my travel mug.  Often I don't even finish it by the time I arrive to work so it sits and gets cold in my car until I dump it out that evening.  Therefore, I've concluded that I don't take in copious amounts of caffeine.  That being said, I've tried to reduce it even further this week and couple that reduction with hydration.

Verdict?  So far I am feeling better than before, with little to no withdrawal symptoms.  I'm helping allay that potential crap-storm by simply reducing, not eliminating caffeine altogether.  That, I understand, helps reduce your symptoms.  Eventually, maybe I can cut out daily caffeine, but seeing that it isn't a huge impact on my life, I know I won't totally cut it out completely.  I love coffee, especially a specialty one on the weekend as a treat while doing errands or the like.
Or, coffee ice cream.  YUM.  I had some delicious coffee ice cream this summer, as shown in my little cute picture here.

Anemia, anyone?

Last week I couldn't help feeling every day after work as if I wanted to sleep all day long.  I napped that Sunday around noon, lazed about and finally rolled into bed for the night.  I fell asleep at about 9PM with my lights on, to boot.  I awoke around 3:45AM to go to the bathroom, which has become a common occurrence.  I do not like waking up in the middle of the night, but if I do I prefer earlier so I have the feeling of having so much more time sleep.

On my way to work this morning my eyelids were so dang heavy.  So what gives?  I think my anemia is kicking in to kick my butt.  I know caffeine intake can impact it, and my lack of hydration with alcohol consumption, too.  I drank a lot of coffee that particular weekend and not too much fluids.  I also haven't eaten a lot of iron rich foods.  This is really bothersome.  I have to be better at remembering to take my supplement and get back on track.  I should also take some more B vitamin.  Until then, bring on the snoozes.  Here's a sleepy kitty who feels like I do.