Round Three of Iron Infusion

kellybelly333
on 5/9/12 4:24 am - Toronto, Canada

I got the referral through my family doctor, who was greatly alarmed at my levels. Leona, who is on our boards, got me the information I needed to give to my family doctor, who was all for me having the infusions. She wanted me to have a blood transfusion, and didn't have the information on the iron infusion itself. Without Leona's help, I probably would have had the blood transfusion, which may have been a temporary fix only!

I am now only taking one Feramax a day. I will have my blood checked in three weeks or so, and if they are good, I will go off them. As per Leona's instructions :-)

Surgery March 23/2011. Completed three full marathons and two half marathons, two half Ironman distances. Completed my first Full Ironman distance (4 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.2 km (full marathon) run) in Muskoka August 30/2015. Next Ironman Lake Placid July 23/2017!

Jane1959
on 5/9/12 3:11 am - London, Canada

RNY on 11/18/08

Just wondering what your levels were before you started the infusions. I started at Heamoglobin 77 and Feritin 3. After the first session I was up to 83 and my Ferritin was 27. Somehow I think that I may have to have more than 3. I am going weekly and my third one is this Friday.

kellybelly333
on 5/9/12 4:26 am - Toronto, Canada

RNY on 03/23/11

Not sure what my hemo was before, but my lowest Ferritin was 2 and my iron was 5. I went weekly as well. They never tested my levels after any of the infusions! I have to get mine done via my family doctor to see how they are. I think a Ferritin of 27 after one is great!! I bet it will be over 40 after your third.

Surgery March 23/2011. Completed three full marathons and two half marathons, two half Ironman distances. Completed my first Full Ironman distance (4 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.2 km (full marathon) run) in Muskoka August 30/2015. Next Ironman Lake Placid July 23/2017!

Jane1959
on 5/9/12 4:29 am - London, Canada

RNY on 11/18/08

I go the the hospital every Friday. They take blood first to check the change over the last week. I get the results before I am done the IV. They then decide if I have to go back in the following week. Thanks for your input.

kellybelly333
on 5/10/12 12:03 am - Toronto, Canada

RNY on 03/23/11

I wish they did that for me. I was told that it takes a few weeks to get into your system totally, so not to have it done until then. I can't wait to see what my levels are now!

Surgery March 23/2011. Completed three full marathons and two half marathons, two half Ironman distances. Completed my first Full Ironman distance (4 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.2 km (full marathon) run) in Muskoka August 30/2015. Next Ironman Lake Placid July 23/2017!

RosieHawk
on 5/10/12 12:13 am, edited 5/10/12 12:17 am - Ottawa, Canada

DS on 02/22/08

I just wanted to post a quick comment on my personal journey with IV iron infusions...for me I go once a week (fridays) for 3-4 weeks every 3 months which I've been doing for almost 2 full years now. My ferritin goes as high as 24 by my last infusion but then slips right back down to as low as 2 by the start of my next round 3 months later. This is a rolloer coaster ride I'll probably have to deal with until I stop menstrating. Why am I telling you all this? Just to prepare you that you may not be done with the iron issues just because you got a few infusions and to prepare you that its not the end of the world to have to do this long term. I go for the multiple infusions at a shorter length because I prefer the quick top up vs the hours it takes for the bigger dosages. I'm in and out of the clinic in less than an hour each time.
Cheers!
Kim
ETA: My levels are checked BEFORE the infusion each time....so much easier for them to draw the blood when I'm all hooked up and much easier than having to go to a seperate facility to be tested. I'd talk to the clinic that does your infusions and as why they are not monitoring your levels and forwarding on the results to your GP!

HW 290/ SW 250/ GW 140-145/ LW 120/ CW 168

REACHED GOAL IN 8 MONTHS WITH MY DS!!!
FEB.22/ 08>> DS & JAN.23/ 09>> Breast Lift, Fleur de lis abdominoplasty, hernia repair
NOTE: My weight crept back up over the last 2.5 years, but I'm gonna stop that shit NOW!

kellybelly333
on 5/10/12 12:55 am - Toronto, Canada

RNY on 03/23/11

Thank you so much for posting!! I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. I'm having a pelvic ultrasound, because two years ago I was diagnosed with adenomyosis, and I bled for fove months straight. Since surgery my period has been better, but still heavy enough, guess. I am almost 39 and have my two kids, and my BF is going for the big V. Two obgyns wouldn't do a hysterectomy until I reached 40, and wanted to try birth control methods before resorting to a hysterectomy. But BC raises my blood pressure. It's so much fun! So perhaps if I do end up with issues like yours, I just might be having a hysterectomy sooner than later!

With that said, as much as my blood will be checked soon, I don't see the specialist again for six months. Maybe it will be sooner if my levels aren't good enough?

I'm not sure why they aren't monitoring the pos-infusion levels either. Perhaps my GP (whom I see every month for my b12) will be sending the blood work to the hospital? They did do bloodwork before my first infusion, but none since having all three.

Surgery March 23/2011. Completed three full marathons and two half marathons, two half Ironman distances. Completed my first Full Ironman distance (4 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.2 km (full marathon) run) in Muskoka August 30/2015. Next Ironman Lake Placid July 23/2017!

Karen M.
on 5/10/12 12:57 am - Mississauga, Canada

RNY on 03/21/06

I would ask at the hospital if they're going to check it. If they don't do it, get your GP to do a blood req for you.

Karen

Ontario Recipes Forum - http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/ontario_recipes/

kellybelly333
on 5/10/12 2:17 am - Toronto, Canada

RNY on 03/23/11

Oh my GP will be checking it, and i'm assuming sending it back to Humber. I'm just surprised they didn't check it each time, like the others are posting.

Surgery March 23/2011. Completed three full marathons and two half marathons, two half Ironman distances. Completed my first Full Ironman distance (4 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.2 km (full marathon) run) in Muskoka August 30/2015. Next Ironman Lake Placid July 23/2017!

Round Three of Iron Infusion

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Round Three of Iron Infusion