
Quote:
Originally Posted by adrigirl
i just randomly stumbled upon this thread and thought i'd throw out the warning...
My mom has an ice pica and has had it for a few years now. She was slightly anemic before she started up with the ice eating, but it made it MUCH much worse... so much so that she just got out of the hospital because she needed a blood transfusion because her iron and hemoglobin levels were dangerously low.
She makes about 8 trays of ice a day - typically likes to eat after a meal as well...
the doctor has pretty much forbidden her from eating ice now.
please dont take this warning lightly... She is in a VERY serious state due to her ice eating. hopefully the blood transfusion will help with her dependency. 
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Hi Adrigirl,
I am a 42 year old mom of three, and I have been eating crushed ice (only) for about 9 years, and just last year (will be a year in November) I had to have a blood transfusion due to low iron and hemoglobin count. I nearly died. I have been perfectly healthy, never been admitted to a hospital for any cause until last year. I knew I was anemic, but I did not think that eating ice would adversely affect my health. I was told by several people and read it also that craving ice was an indication that you may be anemic, but honestly, I never gave it much thought. I ate crushed ice EVERYDAY, crushed it myself in a blender so that it was soft like snow. It is very, very true that this addiction can cost you your life. I didn't know what was happening to me and it became so bad that I could barely breathe and walk. I took myself to the ER, and the doctors in ER said I was on the verge of having a heart attack because my heart was barely getting oxygen, and what little oxygen I had left, my heart was pumping in over drive. I've had to take Fergon iron tablets twice a day. I just stumbled across this website because my heart is experiencing irregular heartbeats AGAIN..... b/c I have started to eat crushed ice AGAIN.... I'm commenting b/c your message sent chills across my body and I am thankful for it because, after reading it I definitely will stop as of right now. You are a very bright young lady and your mom is very fortunate to have such a wonderful daughter who cares for her as you do. Thank you again, and for others who may read this, eating ice is a life-threathening addiction. It may seem harmless in the beginning and eating it is very soothing, but, yes it is an indication that something is wrong with your blood count and please stop before it is TOO LATE!
GiGi