Iron Infusions

I will have to start iron infusions once they determine and fix why i have blood in my stool. has anyone had iron infusions? what was your experience with them? any side effects? any help is appreciated. Lori 12/17/03 open rny

Hi Lori I have not ad these but wanted to to say I hope it helps you. Did you take iron pills after your surgery? just wondering

Hi Lori - About a week after my surgery, I started with the period from hell! For the next EIGHT MONTHS, I bled profusely. Even though I was receiving treatments to stop the bleeding, and was taking Vitron C iron supplements, I finally became so anemic that I had to have a D&C (didn't help), and a two unit blood transfusion (which helped a little). Finally, in January 2006, I had an iron infusion. I went to my hemotologist's office, and sat in the room where people were receiving chemo. I actually felt guilty - here I was complaining about bleeding like a stuck pig, and these poor people had cancer! Anyway, the iron is received via IV, but they give you a test dose and some Benadryl to avoid an allergic reaction. The Benadryl made me sooooo sleepy, that for the next 8 hours - yep, it's an all day thing - I pretty much slept off and on. I took my water and my lunch and some books, but like I said, I pretty much napped under three really heavy blankets. The anemia made me sooooo cold! You can get up to go to the bathroom - you just take your IV pole with you! Everyone was very nice, and other than the fact that I had an IV, it was no biggie! It did help, and now my labs are fine. Hope this helps and that they get your problem figured out! Take care, Tia

Tia, did you only have to go ONE time? My Digestive Specialist mentioned something about once a week for 6-8 weeks. Ever heard of this? afterwards, did you feel like you had more energy, less fatigue and slept better? Where did you have your's done? I'm in Carroll County. I really, really appreciate the time you are taking to ehlp me through this one. Lori

Lori - Yes, I only had one infusion. I guess it depends on your labs. Keep in mind that iron infusions don't kick in immediately, it takes a while - in fact, afterward, I didn't see the doctor for another blood count until three months later. On the other hand, with blood transfusions, I felt a difference immediately. I was so anemic before I had them that I couldn't walk up the steps without being winded, and when I stood up at my desk, the room spun! I saw Dr. Ming at Maryland Hemotology near Franklin Square Hospital. I guess you'll have to go where your insurance dictates. But don't worry, it was painless. Take care, Tia

I did the once a week for weeks things and it wasnt bad except for watching the chemo patients and feeling like an idiot for feeling sorry for myself. Didnt hurt, no side effects...had the infusion early 2005 and have been taking Solgar brand gentle iron since and my labs have been great. PS. I was always anemic even preop Good Luck Diana RNY 9/17/03 Dr. Roe. 360/200/aiming still at 180

how long did they take? was it 1/2 hour - 8 hours? what can i expect? I was always border-line anemic preop. it's just now my body isn't absorbing iron. my iron is an 8 and my hemoglobin is 10.3. how do your's read now that you have had the infusion? thanks so much

It took about 1 and half hours each am.... my labs are great now but like i said I am taking a good iron suppliment