First Iron Infusion This Friday

Hey y'all!  I finally have scheduled two rounds of iron IV infusions this coming Friday and again on the next Friday.  For those who have had them...the nurse said it was a short one and would last 1-1.5 hours.  Anything I need to be on the lookout for other than possible allergy?  I'm usually a quick healer, bouncer-backer, etc., so I hope no tiredness or anything happens.  I am so ready to have some energy.  My workouts have been plain sad the past week.  It is so stinking cold on top of low iron...oh my gosh my bones can't get warm and I can literally barely bare to leave the house.  I wore 3 pairs of pants the other day.  Will I be at least a little warmer or is that something I'm stuck with?  Hope everyone is well!

My first one - they gave me a small dose IV and waited (an hour, I think) to make sure I had no reaction and then gave the treatment.  It took about 3 hours total.

Penny

They gave me Benadryl with the first infusion to help if I had an allergy.  That made me VERY tired.  I didn't have the Benadryl for my other infusions.  I do get tired for a few days and I get a killer headache, but after that I feel like a million bucks!

Everything Rocky said! Benadryl int he first dosage, then they check you to make sure you are ok, then hook up the big bag. you sit there for a couple hours then go home. I had my DH take me. When I got home I went to sleep then was tired for a few days, then I felt fine.

Oh I forgot, drink tons of water to see if your veins will work better. They blew 3 of mine before they got it right. It was painful healing from that!

They blew out my vein the first time too.  That was worse than the actual infusion.  Drinking a couple of 8 ounce glasses of water a few hours before your infusion is a good idea.

I just finished a round of five infusions. Because I'm pregnant, they gave me smaller doses at a time, so I spent about 45 minutes at the hospital each time.

I didn't have any real side effects. One time they selected a smaller vein in my hand, which hurt like hell, but the other four times were uneventful. As others said, drink plenty of fluids beforehand to help plump up your veins. For me, the worst part was being in the cancer ward next to patients receiving chemo. It was very humbling and I felt lucky to just have low iron.

Thank you everyone!  I will be sure to drink some extra water on Friday!!!  Of course, that's gonna make me have to go to the bathroom.  Lord...lol!  I'll let you know how it goes!

IV iron is my drug of choice. I have had anemia unrelated to surgery and I still have problems. I've received infusions while I was pregnant and on and off since then. I have never had a reaction other than feeling so much better. Low iron sucks the life energy right out of it.

I get mine on a cancer ward too. It does increase gratitude and you are much more likely to get a nurse who can hit a vein

. Always pre hydrate and also pump your arms while walking up to clinic.  I also look away and envision little needles going into big juicy veins but that's just me. No one gets to put an IV in the back of my hand.

For me going, it's a relaxing chair (heat and massage) and quiet alone time. And it makes me feel great.

Good luck,

Deb

I can't wait to feel what having more energy feels like.  I literally find myself forcing myself to go through but lately (the past month because it's so cold) it's gotten pretty hard.  Thank you for your insight!