Which iron infusion is best?? Venofer, dextran, ferrlecit, infed...?!

Larissa P.
on 12/28/11 9:22 am, edited 12/28/11 10:15 am - Denton, TX

I saw my hemotologist today, she's perscribing me Venofer and thinks I'll need to do 4-5 sessions every 3 months! Gah, why can't I have something that lasts longer?? And I've read somewhere that dextran costs half the amount? Should I be asking her for cheaper alternatives?

**edit: I'm in trouble, my insurance won't cover any infustion, period. :(

**edit #2: What about Feraheme?

Duodenal Switch hybrid due to complications.

Click! > DS Documents ~ VitaLady.com ~ DSFacts.com ~ OH DS FB

Larissa P.
on 12/28/11 11:05 am - Denton, TX

Revision on 07/08/10

It only took me about 2 hours of desperate web searching, but the DS board came through, I forgot about this thread: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/4322920/Feraheme-IV-iro n-injections-not-quotinfusionsquot-full/ !!

I'm asking my hematologist tomorrow, and I have United Healthcare just like that poster!

The long and short of it, Venofer is a prescription (not on my formulary) IV infusion that isn't covered. It also takes 4-8 hours (broken up into multiple visits).

Feraheme is an in-office IV injection that is covered like your B12 or allergy shot as part of your in-office visit. Nothing to pay beyond your normal co-pay!! And it only takes 2 - 10 minute visits, a week apart.

Duodenal Switch hybrid due to complications.

Click! > DS Documents ~ VitaLady.com ~ DSFacts.com ~ OH DS FB

J G.
on 12/28/11 3:21 pm

DS on 06/23/08

Larissa, I guess you already found your answer, but I'll toss this out for others. I had regular ole iron dextran (read: cheap) and it worked great. I had about 3 or 4 at four month intervals. At the last check I was good to go and didn't need a thing!

newyorkbitch
on 12/28/11 10:31 pm, edited 12/28/11 10:32 pm

DS on 03/06/00

My insurance won't cover venofer, but it covers ferrlecit and that's what I've been doing for years. I do 4-5 infusions twice a year. Get my levels checked every 3-4 months to make sure that remains a good dosage/schedule, and tweak as necessary.

The infusions take about 45 minutes each time.

levittown_loser
on 12/30/11 8:42 am - Levittown, PA

DS on 07/02/08

I had Feraheme ... at the office about 30 mins. 5 min push. 2 pushes 2 weeks apart. I then waited about a month to check my levels to see where it would get me and will retest 6 mo. and 12 mo. to get a baseline of how long a series will last me. So much easier then taking oral iron for sure!

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KRWaters
on 12/30/11 10:37 am - Manteca, CA

DS on 05/19/09

I so agree with you! Taking oral is no fun adjusting when and with to take it.

KAREN W.

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Julie R.
on 12/28/11 9:23 pm - Ludington, MI

I have Venofer because I had a reaction to iron dextrose. I have to be admitted into the hospital for mine - my hemo won't do it at the oncology center. I only have two very long, slow infusions, two weeks apart, every eighteen months or so. My insurance would only pay for the Venofer, AFTER I reacted to the iron dextrose, unfortunately, LOL. The one thing I've heard about the injection is that they can leave "tattoo" type marks on your skin.

Julie R - Ludington, Michigan
Duodenal Switch 08/09/06 - Dr. Paul Kemmeter, Grand Rapids, Michigan
HW: 282 - 5'4"
SW: 268
GW: 135
CW: 125

Larissa P.
on 12/28/11 9:42 pm - Denton, TX

Revision on 07/08/10

The tatooing only happens with the intra-muscular type injections. Feraheme is injected into your vein, like a mini-infusion, or if you were taking heroin.

Duodenal Switch hybrid due to complications.

Click! > DS Documents ~ VitaLady.com ~ DSFacts.com ~ OH DS FB

morgangirl
on 12/30/11 3:24 am - MI

Julie -
I know you had Dr. Kemmeter as your DS surgeon, but by chance did you come to Grand Rapids for your infusions also? I called a hematologist in GR and they really seemed like they were making it so hard to become a patient. The receptionist acted so uppity to me!

Julie R.
on 12/30/11 8:02 am - Ludington, MI

Nope - I had mine up here in Ludington, with Dr. Carol Peterson.

Julie R - Ludington, Michigan
Duodenal Switch 08/09/06 - Dr. Paul Kemmeter, Grand Rapids, Michigan
HW: 282 - 5'4"
SW: 268
GW: 135
CW: 125

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Which iron infusion is best?? Venofer, dextran, ferrlecit, infed...?!

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Which iron infusion is best?? Venofer, dextran, ferrlecit, infed...?!