HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Iron infusion tomorrow

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/11/2019 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
This is my first ever iron infusion here in the US. What should I expect? I'm still flaring, can I get up and use the bathroom? My anus hurts can I recline in the chair or at least put my legs up somehow? I never sit up anymore

In Germany I was allowed to lay down and an infusion didn't take too long so I could use the bathroom before and right after but I did get mad and told the nurses I can't go long without a bathroom break. This is true today as well. How do I tell them?
Posted 11/11/2019 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
I haven't had one myself but when I was getting a Remicade infusion at the hospital infusion center, there was a girl next to me with Crohn's who was getting an iron infusion. You will be able to get up and go to the bathroom. You just bring your IV with you. They might have to unplug it from the wall if it's plugged in. Just ask the nurses about it when you get there to ease your mind. Just ask what to do if you need to use the bathroom during your infusion. All the chairs at the two locations where I got infusions were recliners. Good luck.
Posted 11/11/2019 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
Same as Sara. Most infusion centers -- independent ones and in the hospital -- have reclining chairs so you can rest and put your feet back. I've always been able to take my "pole" with me to the bathroom if I am hooked up -- just ask the nurse how to do that beforehand, and usually there is a bathroom right in the infusion area. All the nurses I work with see IBD patients in addition to chemo patients, and patients getting things like iron and other meds, so they won't be surprised if you tell them you have UC so need quick access to the bathroom.
Posted 11/11/2019 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Infusion centers give you a choice between using a reclining chair or laying in a bed. They often have extra pillows and warm blankets, ask for them if you need more to get in a comfortable position.

The IV is on a wheelie-stand, which you can roll over to the bathroom as often as is necessary. You might have to unplug the IV pump (if present) but that's totally fine as they have batteries within them that last 12+ hours. Sometimes they use gravity-fed IVs without the pumps.
Posted 11/11/2019 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys you are right smile
Posted 11/11/2019 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
Glad it sounds like it went smoothly!
Posted 11/13/2019 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Yes everything went well. I was comfortable in my recliner and I didn't need the bathroom during the infusion. They had coffee and snacks there. Everybody was nice and helpful.
Posted 11/13/2019 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
That's great to hear!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply