The "dreaded" iron infusion

Good morning everyone!

I just wanted to post this in case anyone else has to go through an iron infusion.

It was NO PROBLEM!  I had myself all worried for nothing.  It was no worse than any other I.V. and it turned out to be about 5 hours of forced relaxation.  I actually watched a whole movie!!!  (The Illusionist--not terrible.)  In all, I watched one whole move, napped for about an hour and a half, watched half of another movie (Music & Lyrics) and read some in a magazine.  I NEVER have time for movies!

My two daughters and granddaughter went with me and visited the zoo and Trader Joe's while I was in treatment, and I took them to dinner afterwards, so everyone had a pretty good day.

My arm is a bit bruised, but it's nothing I can't handle.  In the future----and there WILL be a future---I will be able to drive myself and not bother anyone. 

The reason there WILL be a future is they say that we (bypass patients) do not absorb iron, so anemia is to be watched for carefully and infusion is the best way to replace it.  I will have to do this every 6 months to a year depending on how long it takes my body to deplete this store.

For the past month, I have been taking 28 mg of iron 3 times a day (recommended dose is 18 mg per DAY) along with vitamin C and my iron actually DROPPED, so I guess that proves the theory to be correct.

Just wanted to let anyone know how it went in case you may face the same some day.

Have a lovely day!

Hello- I too just had this done ( Dec 20th) and got worked up about nothing.  I too had a relaxing time and caught up on some much needed sleep.   Have you felt a difference yet?  I thought I did but I'm still so tired all the time.  They say that it could take up to a week to feel a difference. 

Hi there!

Actually, my doctor said that it could take a month to 6 weeks to feel the difference in the fatigue, and he was right on the money.  I was worried that I was not feeling any more energetic right away but after about 5-6 weeks, I felt MUCH better.

Problem is that now, I am starting to feel tired again so I am anxiously awaiting my last iron levels to see if I can get another infusion before it gets as bad as it was before the first one. Good luck to you!

Good luck to you!!!  It's nice to be able to communicate with someone who is in the same boat about the iron. I'll watch the message boards to see if you post about your iron again.  I really hope it didn't drop already.  Good luck again!!

I am actually scheduled to have my first one January 21st.  My doctor thought I should have one prior to my surgery in February.  I already battle with Iron levels and he said that it will only get worse.  I'm not worried at all about having it done since I've had IV's before.  I just better get someone who knows how to get it in the first try.