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Iron Infusions?

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Posted 4/14/2009 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
My GI just started me on Remicade, I had my first infusion today..woohoo, it was a nice experience I kicked back and slept for 2 hours haha. Didnt have any reactions at all, I just felt a lil funny at first but it went away.  But anyways while I was there one of the nurses came to talk to me and told me that my GI had also ordered 4 iron infusions (after my first 3 infusions of Remi)  Im supposed to have one once a week.  Ive never done any kind of Iron infusion or shots, I have heard that iron injections can be painful?  Im not sure if an infusion would be as well.  Anyone ever had them done?  How long does it take?  Do you feel better instantly, or how do you feel after them?  Thanks!
Posted 4/14/2009 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi MAG, I had one iron infusion and unfortunately I had a terrible allergic reaction. My back started hurting and I went to the bathroom and noticed my face was swelling up. I then got hives all over my arms and started throwing up uncontrollably. My nurse had to stop the infusion and give me tons of benadryl and solumedrol, as well as zofran and ativan. Most people won't have a reaction though so I don't want to scare you. Maybe other people can let you know how their experience was!
Posted 4/14/2009 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
I only ever had one Iron infusion, but I have begged for them on other occassions... the one that I had made me feel SOOO good, soooo quickly - it was like my body was a sponge and just sucked it right up. I had no memorable side effects as far as pain or anything. I know others have gotten them and not really felt much different. For me it was wonderful.
Posted 4/14/2009 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Made my blood pressure drop and I passed out. :(
This is rare though.
Posted 4/14/2009 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
It takes only 15-30min and you don't feel a thing, just like with the remi.
I feel better very soon after the infusion and the only thing i can feel is a little iron taste in my mouth for a couple of days.
When i need iron i go 5 times every other day.
Posted 4/14/2009 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
I have had numerous iron infusions over the years, and it takes 6 hours. I am always given 50 mg of pred and 2 tylenol minutes before they start the infusion. It does not hurt, but I do get bored! It takes 2 weeks for the iron to form red blood cells, but you will feel better then. As your hemoglobin increases, you will feel a difference in your energy level, and you will no longer have shortness of breath after carrying in groceries. That is what I notice. Gook Luck!

Julia
Posted 4/14/2009 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
I feel better within a week or two, usually. It wasn't painful, you just hang out for a few hours. I get mine done in an infusion center that administers chemo. When you're sitting among people suffering from the side effects of that, and facing those kind of illnesses, whatever discomfort I had seems to fade away. I don't recall any pain or discomfort but I may have just shrugged it off due to the environment I was in.

I love iron infusions, honestly. No pain, no pills, practically instant results.
Posted 4/14/2009 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
When I've had iron infusions, they used Venofer. I had sets of 4, which sounds like what you're doing. They took about 2 1/2 hours (1/2 an hour was for the benadryl). The infusions themselves have always gone well. However, by the evening of the first one, I get achy, cold, and nauseous. Even when they gave me an anti-nausea drug it happened. The weird thing is, this ugly reaction only happens with the first in the set of 4.
Posted 4/14/2009 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
I had a iron infusion last year. It took about 5-6 hours for the infusion. Didn't hurt at all. I started feeling the effects about 3 weeks later. Really helps when your iron stores are low. I think I will be needing another soon as I can feel that fatigue returning.

Good luck,
Gail *Nanners*
Posted 5/4/2009 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
I have had 3 Iron infusions sense this past wednesday and they dont hurt at all they take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours . I have had a blood transfusion and that made me feel funny. I only got sleepy after the Iron and a slight headache.No worries. I had a gallbladder surgery the doc cut the wrong thing and then I became anemic not sure why but here I am with a hemogloban of 4.1 smhair good luck you'll feel a lot better
Posted 5/5/2009 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
This might be a dumb question, but.... can you get general multivitamin infusions too?
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