UPDATE! My IRON WOMAN story.

Hi everyone!

Well, I'm not having surgery today! I'm here at work in sunny Southern California.
Monday I went to my #2 Primary Doctor and had labs done. Yesterday she faxed over my results to my surgeon and myself. She DID cleared me but made a note that I will need a blood transfusion if needed.
From 2 weeks ago I went from a "7" to "8" and I need to be a 10-12 to have surgery. I've been eating liver, beans and taking my perscription IRON.

So, I'm going to an appt in a few minutes and getting a Iron Infusion. I'm scared to know or experience any side affects.

I've been reading on this and wonder if It is common to go into SHOCK?

Feedback please

Well I've been doing iron infusions for almost 2 years now and only had one bad episode. The first time I got IMFED, I did great.  Next time, major allergic reaction. A bit scary but I was fine.  I now do FERRITIN regularly with no side effects whatsoever.  Allergic reactions to iron is rare.  I know a few people that take imfed with no problems.  If you do have a reaction, there are others you can take.  I'm really surprised that it has taken this long for any dr to recommend an infusion.  My drs would have told me from my first visit to get it ASAP.  They probably would have even recommended a blood transfusion before the iron transfusion.  That's just how concerned they are for me.  Mine was at a 10 a few weeks ago and my iron stores are bottomed out and he was even contemplating doing a transfusion then but I told him I was feeling somewhat tired but that I'd be fine without it so I'm doing weekly infusions to get my stores up.   Before I did my LBL my hemotologist had me go weekly to build up my iron in case their was lots of blood loss.  Even with all my iron infusions I was barely tapping 11.   Three weeks after surgery they were the same as when I went in so that was good.   Some people may be a little achey at first or a little tired and sleepy if they give you Benadryl.  I don't get the benadryl anymore since I don't need it.  It really isn't a big deal.  You'll be fine! 

Melissa

If it were common for people to go into shock, I don't think they'd do many of them!!

I'm sure you will be fine...I'll be pulling for you. Let us know how it goes....

THANK YOU for the feedback.

I didn't get an infusion. My doctor took more blood from me for the IRON PANEL test (I don't even know what it is). I'm at a 8 right now. She said that when I'm an 10 to 12 then I should be fine for surgery. So in 2 weeks, I went from a 7 to a 8. I did good I guess. I'll keep eating alllllll that good stuff.

Thanks for the feedback girls!

To go along with the iron infusion, you should get some heme iron.  It is the best type of iron for absorbtion. It is on the expensive side but it is worth it.  You can get it at vitalady.com.  It is called Proferrin and you would need to take 2-3 pills a day.  You don't need to take any vitamin C with this type of iron and you can take it with calcium.

The other option at the same site is carbonyl iron which is called Tender Iron.  You need to get the 60mg ones and take atleast 3 a day.  They already have the vitamin C in the capsule - you can't take them within  2hours of your calcium or thyroid medication

These should help with your iron, ferritin, hemoglobin, hemacrit and RBC levels.  It works much better than prescription iron.