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Iron Infusion anyone???

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Posted 8/29/2009 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, I am scheduled for a 8 hour iron infusion this Thursday. Any sort of iron pill makes me sick and I have been anemic for so long that now my heart races and I get SOB so I am going in for the infusion. This was ordered by my GP not my GI. What can I expect?

 Thank You, KayC

Posted 8/29/2009 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
I had this about a year ago. Really helped me. They will insert and IV and give you a test dose, if all goes well then they will give you the rest. There are a couple types of Iron, so if you have probs with one, maybe they can try another. Good luck!

PS By the way, at least for me, it took about 3 weeks until it fully kicked in.
Posted 8/29/2009 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
They have been a lifesaver for me in the past! It's really a piece of cake, usually. I had mine done in an oncology infusion center (with lots of chemo patients) so they have warm blankets, snacks, drinks, TVs, etc. I brought a laptop, bag of magazines, lunch with me, etc and just hung out. It's just a regular IV.

They will start it slowly to watch for reaction. Infusions after the first one should go a little faster.

There is risk of reaction... but it's fairly low. I actually reacted on my 2nd infusion but they think it's to something mixed in the iron so we are working on that issue. I was SO sad to not get to complete it. It made a big difference in my energy.
Posted 9/3/2009 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
I hade venefor iron infusions for 12 weeks.  i opted not to do the eight hour infusion because my hemotologist said that a lot of people have reactions to it.  so i opted for the venofer iron infusions which last about 3 hours from start to finish.  i also had it done in a hematology/oncology office so a lot of patients were getting chemo and the nurses were so nice and nurturing.  there were tv's and blankets, pillows and such.  wasn't bad at all.  made me feel a whole lot better.  my hemoglobin was at 5.9 when i started and when i finished in june it was at 10.9.  so i go back on sept. 29th to test my hemoglobin levels.  i know they are lower because i don't have the energy i did a few months ago but definitly don't feel as bad as when it was 5.9.  let you know how it goes. 
Posted 9/4/2009 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Well I had the infusion today. It went well. Only took 5 hours instead of 8 (due to my small size). I had the Infed (sp). It was at the hemotology/oncology clinic . So there were alot of chemo patients there. Kinda sad. Puts thing into prespective though. They told me to give it a week. I also and IV benadryl and Zantac prior as I told them I am always nauseated. I brought my laptop and they had snacks, water, movies, books, warm blankets, it was very comfortable. I am excited about the whole thing. I hope to have no more lightheadedness, racing heart or extreme fatique. I think that what I have been thinking is anxiety was actually my heart beating to fast to try to compensate for anemia and it was finally taking it's toll. So I really hope the infusion helps these areas as well. My ferritin levels were normal, but the Dr said that is because the chronic inflamation from the CD raises the number. She could tell by looking at my blood that it was not near normal. Once I get this under control I am going to find a new GI and get to work on the inflamation/constant flare. We don't if it will work or not. The CD may hold on to my red blood cells and not release them just eat (attack) them up. I will get my blood checked in 2 weeks. then again in 4 months. So we will see. Thanks for the input. Kay
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