Side effect of Iron Infusions....

I had my first infusion Friday morning at Medical City. I was told I may experience nausea from the infusion.

After the infusion, I felt great. Saturday morning I woke up with a cold sore and I was all sweaty. I didn't feel bad at all so I was confused. (I'm thinking the cold sore of course is from my body trying to break a fever??? I hadn't been sick though!)  I felt fine so I got my two year old and headed to target. While in line for a prescription, I started feeling a little nausea and an urgent need to go to the bathroom... I rushed in there buggy and all. When I came out, I felt a little better. I grabbed my prescription and got in line to pay for my other stuff.

By the time the girl was half way done checking me out, I was all hot and sweaty, I couldn't stand up straight, I was panicking knowing I was about to pass out and I had my two year old with me, I mumbled something to her about suspending my purchase. I tried to make it to the little cafeteria to sit down, but it was too far and I made it only to the end of the next register.. I sat down and it took a few minutes before I had the strength or thought to call my hubby and have him come get me... The girl at target asked me if she could call an ambulance for me..

Long story short, I became mobile shortly after and was able to drive myself home. I felt weak for the rest of the evening though but no more episodes like that.

Has anyone else experienced this? It was so scary! Will this happen every time after an infusion?

Kim....I have not ever had a iron infussion but I pray that this was a isolated incident for you and that history will not repeat itself on this.    You may want to phone the hospital where you had your infussion and ask them if this is normal for infussion patients.   Hope you get to feeling better really soon.


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

Please do let me know if you discover that this was related to your iron infusion. I have not had wls YET but I have had 18 months of iron infusions.  I have only felt nauseous once and that was my very first time of getting an iron infusion. I have pernicious anemia and so it looks like I will always get iron infusions as that is a side effect of PA...When I get the infusions they give me benedryl and something else in my IV prior to the infusion...I'll have to ask if it's something for nausea.

Please let me know what you find out. Cheers, Tee

Hi Kim,

Yes, I experienced the exact same thing before I started my infusions.  I was at the doctor's office and she sent me over to the lab for blood which was just around the corner....  On my way there, I fainted and they had to call 911.....  An ambulance came and got me and I was in the hospital for a few days for iron infusions and also had to get them for a while afterwards as well.  This happened about 2 years ago.  I have felt fine since the infusions.....  The strange thing is that during my 5+ years post-op, I have always taken my vitamins faithfully.  I guess it's the malabsorption issue.  One thing that I do wanna say is please don't drive until your levels are up to where they should be.  As you are already aware, you never know when that feeling is going to hit you....  Hope you feel better soon.

Hugs,
Rhonda :O)

So basically what I was "trying" to say is that this probably happened because your iron levels are so low.  It will take more than one infusion to get your levels where they need to be.