Bee
So glad I found this forum. I was dx'ed 2 wks ago with Beta-Thal-Minor. I have been anemic all my life and last 15 years under the care of same doc who told me that I need iron suppliments and my "symptoms" are from getting older. He recommend that I find a new doc since I "was trying to find something wrong" and there was nothing actually wrong (I knew better). Found new doc fresh out of med school who dx'ed me in 2nd visit. My symptoms are: shortness of breath with difficulty breathing, major heart palpitations, lung problems (using inhaler now), skin outbreaks, lower GI problems (ulcerative colitis), extreme fatigue, exhausion with or without excessive exersion, achy knees, popping bone sounds, low blood pressure, excessive sweating. I am not sure if all these symptoms are related to the Thal. but I knew I had to find out what was going on in my body and that "it was not in my head". I originally thought I had mercury poisoning. He said I was crazy. The iron suppliments the doc kept putting me on where making me so sick. I kept telling him and he kept prescribing a different kind insisting that I need them. On top of all this, he is from Greece. Thal. is prominent in persons of greek origin. I have no doubt in my mind that Beta-Thal-Minor persons can have symptoms of Major. Also, I gave birth to a son 15 years ago who has complained of leg pain most of his life. He has asthma also and is quite tired most of the time. He can sleep up to 12 hours day. Needless to say, he will be tested in couple weeks. Sorry so long. It is hard to find information on this disorder.