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Iron infusion anyone??

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Posted 3/31/2011 7:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all, I haven't posted in a while been plodding through this pregnancy & finally made it to my last month, yey!! One more hurdle (the birth) which I am real nervous about as it's my first & don't know what to expect & I've done it :)
Basically wanted to pick your brains on any advice, experiences or knowledge on iron infusions.
As most of you must know iron supplements can be our worst enemy at times. & basically I've become quite anaemic going from 10.4 hgb to now 8.5. & my ferritin has dropped from 31 to now 9!! I have been taken some iron in syrup form but obviously not enough & not for too long. I really didn't want to risk a flare, esp just before birth.
Well basically next week I'm considered full term 37 weeks & baby is due to come at any time. There's no way my iron stores & hgb can be boosted in such short space of time. & with not knowing how my birth will go i.e. Emergency c-section (god forbid). The doctors don't want to risk it.
So my question to you is I've been offered a iron infusion. And I don't know whether to go for it! Is it safe? Has anyone here had one? How was it? The results? Does the infusion have the same reaction with UC as the tablets etc?
Please any feedback will be appreciated as I need to make a decision real soon!!

Thanks, Mia. X
Posted 3/31/2011 10:42 AM (GMT 0)
I had one last week. I had posted here before I had it to see if anyone had any experience, but I had no responses. You may want to check out the crohn's forum.

Anyway, I can't say yet if it worked. I am due for my blood test today, and will have the results next week.

The actual infusion is uneventful. IV started, test dose for 20 min, and then sit there for a bunch of hours until it is done. I don't feel any different yet, so who knows. I got the one called Venofer.

I haven't taken any supplements, so I can't compare, but my understanding is that the infusion doesn't have the same effects. I didn't have any side effects.

Good luck, and good luck with the birth of your child!
Posted 3/31/2011 11:25 AM (GMT 0)
I had iron infusions back in Jan. My ferratin levels were at 6 when I started. I had to get one infusion a week for 6 weeks. My hemoglobin was 9.4 when I started and managed to get it up to 11.9 after 6 weeks. It's the fastest way to build up your iron stores. The pills did nothing for me. They will always give the infusion slowly at first to make sure you don't have any reaction to it before they increase the drip. It took just over an hour per infusion.
Posted 3/31/2011 11:29 AM (GMT 0)

I was in the very same situation when I was expecting our son. My hb dropped to well below 9 and the ferretin went down to 3. I was offered  the infusions from about week 35 onwards and I am so glad I did. I had no side effects at all. It didn’t affect my UC like the normal tablets would and the increase in the energy levels was very welcome.

 

In the end I ended up having an emergency c-section, so I was so glad I had had those infusions. Also, no matter what sort of birth you have, you will be tired after the pregnancy & birth, and if your iron stores are low, it will be even harder to cope.

 

Personally I would definitely recommend getting them done.

 

Best of luck with the last few weeks now J

Posted 3/31/2011 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
I had iron infusions in the early days of my diagnosis, when I was very ill. It's not a big deal, although it does take a little time. I always brought a book and some snacks and a TV was provided. The IV bypasses the digestive system so there are no adverse effects and they are very effective for raising your iron levels. I can't speak to the risks of having it done while pregnant, but your OB/Gyn should be able to advise you.
Posted 3/31/2011 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
I was recently offered iron infusions myself- I chose to try supplements for the next 3 months, & will get my levels re-checked at that time, to see if the oral route was effective. Apparently it's not the greatest way to get iron, the infusions work far better. I don't think the infusion would do anything for your UC, good or bad. Your babies health is the most important thing, The tablets aren't bothering my gut too much- initially I was very nauseous, but that seems to have subsided after a few weeks of taking them. Good luck!
Posted 4/1/2011 7:56 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your replys, feel more reassured now!! Didn't want to risk full blown flare towards the end!!
I've been told you can have a reaction to it, but they test & monitor you for that in first 20 mins. As having it done in pregnancy my OB has said it's safe.
Cheese puff - this had no effect on your baby did it?
I'm going to book a appointment today. I have been told it will take an hour so il go prepared :)

Thank you all!! Wish me luck! Only 4 weeks to go, that's if baby comes on time ;)

Mia. X
Posted 4/1/2011 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
My iron level is very low dropped from 90 to 14!  I was taking iron suppliments but they made naucous.  I may have to suggest iron infusion.  I also heard you can get iron shots as well?

Posted 4/1/2011 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have a Venofer infusion every 5 weeks after the Remicade has finished dripping.  I haven't noticed any terrible side effects and it has had a positive effect on my iron levels.
Posted 4/2/2011 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
check to see what KIND of iron infusion you are getting.  i have gotten 3 different kinds, and i had an allergic reaction to one of them, and bad flu-like symptoms from the other one.  just recently, i tried VENOFER and it was much better.  i was afraid to get an infusion, but had no choice...i was dangerously low on iron.  i researched all the different iron infusions available, and venofer is the safest.  thank goodness i had no ill effects from it, and it did raise my iron.  go with the venofer for sure!!!  good luck:)
Posted 4/3/2011 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all thought I'd update you all! I had my first infusion yesterday. I was monitored for the first 15 mins in case I had a reaction. All went well I was on the drip for an hour but had company so was fine!
@ kate22 yes the iv I had was venofer, because I'm pregnant I think that's the only one they give.
I have to go in for four more, the dose is calculated by your hgb vs your weight. After that's done il get tested to see if it made a difference, I'm hoping it does, as I really need some off my energy back!!!
@peace&harmony - yes they do venofer injections too but I don't know much about them. I live in the UK & as our healthcare is free iv's are the last resort as they're more costly. But I think it's worth you asking. It seems the quickest fix!

Thanks all Mia. X
Posted 2/13/2016 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Any hospital should be able to give an anemic patient an iron infusion.
Posted 2/14/2016 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
I take 65 mg of Iron every day and I have no problems with it. I am a bit confused by this. If your iron is low, why is taking iron supplements risking a flare? I have never heard of this and just wondering. I plan on asking my doctor this coming week as well. Not saying this isn't truth, just never heard of this and since I take Iron every day, I am now wanting more information if I am hurting or helping my UC.
Posted 2/14/2016 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
There's a number of reasons, some proven, some more speculative as to why oral iron can exacerbate UC. From causing constipation to feeding "bad bacteria" there's lots of potential pitfalls. If you do fine with it though then I wouldn't worry.

Here's a long paper about it www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3959949/ "Management of iron deficiency anemia in inflammatory bowel disease – a practical approach"

Final summary in their opinion "in patients with mild IDA and quiescent or clinical active IBD, IV iron should be the preferred route for iron supplementation"

They do report a potential conflict of interest in this paper as one of the writers consults for the company that makes the popular Ferinject iron infusion www.viforpharma.com/en/Products/iron.php
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