8 Years post-op & Iron Infusion comin' up ?

I am 8 years post op - BPDS and my ferratin level is a 1....needless to say, my surgeon is concerned and so am i.  I cannot seem to tolerate Corvite FE - feels like a cheese grater going through my intestines and I just cannot handle it....and absorb it.  Interestingly, I was borderline anemic BEFORE my surgery - and functioned pretty well...then for 2 years post op - my Iron was normal - up even....and over the course of the last 6 years, it's steadily dropped.  Still functioning but now I am nearing "alarming lows" and I need to address it.    SO!  This Friday - August 29th, I am getting my first infusion and wondering if there's anything I can do to prepare for it?  or what some of the side effects might be?  I have seen that "headaches" might be a residual affect but not sure what I can do to offset that....Any ideas?  Would love to hear some feedback on your experiences....

Thanks in advance and wish me luck!

The infusions aren't bad at all.  I had to get two weeks of infusions 3x per week before I could do my first plastic surgery in August 2013.  My levels were perfect for iron this past July for my second plastics and I credit that to following a paleo diet.  BUT back to answering your question.  It is a piece of cake...you go in and sit in a comfy lazy boy chair, they hook you up in your hand to a bag that is black which is weird watching that dark liquid go into your skin, and you just sleep or read or watch tv for about an hour and youre all done.

I didn't have any side effects at all.  It was painless.

GOOD LUCK!

Thanks so much for your feedback Lyss.  I am hopeful.  :)  Good luck on your plastics.  I am thinking about doing it but just cannot afford it....even going for a consultation alone is $250...and there's no guarantee that I would get approval - despite my years of back pain & management - chiro, cortisone injections, never ending burning, acupuncture, the whole nine.   Maybe one day...when I win the lottery! 

Thanks again. Best, Valerie

Pretty much this.  Mine takes about 40 minutes, start to finish.  I have a low pain tolerance so the needle placement is a bit uncomfortable but once it's in, it's just sit and wait...

Hi Valerie, I've been getting them for years, no problem.  I get the cheap stuff, iron dextran (Infed).   They give me some Benedryl and Tylenol to start.  I get a lot at once so it takes about 3-4 hours.  They will probably give you a test dose first, just to see how you do with it.  It's a great opportunity for a little nap.   :o)  I think they say it takes a couple of weeks to kick in...

Thanks so much for letting me know about your experience....at the moment my Ferratin level is 1.....so my surgeon is worried...SO - I need to get one.  I haven't a clue how much they're going to give me.  I have been on this Chia seed kick lately trying to "Up" my Iron natrually but not sure it's helping.  Do you know anything about the Heme Iron from Colorado?  they say you can take it with or without food....and that the absorption is much better.   I just have such a hard time tolerating the other pills...  How often to you have to go for these 3 to 4 hour infusions?  I hope it doesn't take that long!!  they're going to monitor me and give me the full dose (I think) and see if I have any adverse reactions.   I didn't know that it takes so long to kick in.   How do you feel after your infusion once it's kicked in?  Do you feel energized?  Less lethargic?