What Does Anaemia Really Feel Like?
Anaemia is often described in medical terms as "a lack of healthy red blood cells to carry enough oxygen around the body." But what does that actually feel like for the people living with it? To answer that, we can look beyond textbooks and turn to patient voices. Many people share their stories online—in places like the Reddit community [r/Anemic]—where they describe not only their symptoms but also how anaemia disrupts everyday life.
Real Experiences of Living With Anaemia
Here are some themes and direct experiences from people on Reddit describing their symptoms:
- Constant exhaustion and weakness > "Feeling tired no matter how much I sleep, fatigue, and muscle weakness in my arms. I almost constantly feel my heart beating, even though my pulse is fine." – u/CounterMeasure99
- Heart racing during normal tasks > "My heart rate goes up to the 140s–170s when I’m just doing daily activities like cooking or laundry. Even showering can push it into the 180s." – u/silynced
- Cognitive struggles > "Brain fog, hard to concentrate. I lose words in my head all the time and forget what I was saying mid-sentence." – multiple users
- Breathlessness and chest discomfort > "I get out of breath just walking up stairs, even though I’m fit and work out. Sometimes I get chest pain and palpitations." – u/xunapologeticapathyx
- Cold sensitivity and appearance changes > "Always freezing cold hands and feet, pale skin to the point strangers ask if I’m sick." – u/mai-the-unicorn
- Strange cravings (pica) > "I constantly have to chew ice… my husband even bought me a countertop ice maker." – u/silynced > "I had addiction-like cravings for mints and peanuts. Once I started supplements, the cravings disappeared." – u/DifficultFlow7880
- Neurological and sensory symptoms > "Severe blurry vision, tinnitus, vertigo, pins and needles, even hallucinations when it was bad." – multiple users
- Emotional toll > "The brain fog and fatigue made me feel like I was dying slowly. It was terrifying." – u/Turbulent-Scratch264
From these experiences, the most frequently reported symptoms include:
- Fatigue, weakness, lack of stamina
- Shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, chest pain
- Pale skin, feeling unusually cold
- Brain fog, memory lapses, difficulty concentrating
- Headaches, dizziness, vision disturbances, tinnitus
- Cravings for ice or non-food items (a sign of iron deficiency)
- Hair loss, brittle nails, slow healing or easy bruising
How to Be Best Prepared
Living with anaemia can be draining, but preparation helps:
- Get properly tested: A full blood count, ferritin, vitamin B12, folate, and thyroid checks can identify the cause.
- Know your numbers: Keep a record of haemoglobin and ferritin levels to track progress.
- Organise your day: Plan demanding tasks for times when your energy is highest.
- Meal planning: Focus on iron-rich foods (red meat, lentils, leafy greens, beans, fortified cereals) and pair them with vitamin C sources for absorption.
- Avoid blockers: Limit tea, coffee, and dairy around iron intake as they reduce absorption.
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration worsens dizziness.
- Track your symptoms: A diary can help doctors understand your condition better.
- Advocate for yourself: Many people shared they felt dismissed at first. Insist on proper testing if symptoms persist.
General Advice on Medicines
Treatment always depends on the underlying cause. Some general approaches include:
Iron-deficiency anaemia
- Iron supplements (ferrous sulphate, fumarate, or gluconate) are first-line.
- Usually taken for at least 3 months to rebuild stores.
- Best absorbed on an empty stomach with vitamin C.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Treated with B12 injections (hydroxocobalamin) or high-dose tablets.
- Important to start early to prevent irreversible nerve damage.
Folate deficiency
- Folic acid tablets are given, usually for several months.
Anaemia of chronic disease
- Focus is on treating the underlying illness.
- Some patients may require erythropoietin injections or transfusions.
When to Seek Medical Help Immediately
While many cases are managed with tablets and dietary changes, anaemia can become serious. Seek urgent help if you have:
- Chest pain or irregular heartbeat
- Severe shortness of breath
- Fainting or extreme weakness
- Sudden yellowing of the skin or eyes
Anaemia is more than "just feeling tired." For many, it impacts the heart, brain, mood, and daily functioning. The good news is that with the right diagnosis and treatment—whether iron, B12, folate, or another approach—most people experience significant improvement.
If you recognise yourself in these stories, don’t ignore the signs. Get checked, prepare for ups and downs during recovery, and remember that anaemia is treatable with the right care.
