Weekly Iron Infusions...for 5 wks

Hello everyone!!

I just got a call from the nurse at my surgeons office.  My iron levels have dropped again, (I was low/anemic pre-op).  I have my RNY on 5/27/09 and my gall bladder out on 6/15/09.  I was taking Vitron C pre op and have been all along...this was an unexpected phone call.

I have read that many people have problems with the infusions, so I'm kinda nervous to start them.  I was able to put off starting them for a couple weeks because my husband is coming home from Iraq tomorrow and leaves again on the 6th of August to go back.  So I didn't want to have to do them while he was here.

I will be driving an hour to Knoxville for the infusions, will I need someone to drive me home? or is this something I can handle?

Thanks for your patience and understanding,

jamie

Jamie,

While I don't have any experience to share with this, I just want you to know that I'm thinking of you and wishing you the best.....


Leslie

I haven't had surgery yet, so I dont have any answers. but  I hope things get better for you.

I am so happy your husband is coming home for R&R....Mine is here, but goes back Saturday.   I am already upset about him leaving and i still have three days left.  

Good luck,
April

I've had iron infusions before.   A lot depends on the dose and type of iron you'll be getting, but most do premedicate with steroids and benadryl.   Benadryl knocks me out, big-time, so I definitely needed someone to drive me home.  

The infusions themselves are not much of an issue.   The nurses in my hematologist's office are wonderful and the IV is very small.   The Benadryl really insured that it was a non issue, as I'd drop off to sleep pretty much as soon as the Benadryl went in.   Once I was talking with the nurse and realized the Benadryl was knocking me out and I just told her "i'm going away, now."   ZZZZzzzzzZZZZZZzzzzz

I suppose if you could sit around the office or hospital for a while to make sure that you're out from uneer the Benadryl, you maybe could drive yourself home afterwards.    The thing is, they probably will give it to you IV and that's a whole different ballgame to taking it by mouth.   So don't think that, if it doesn't knock you on your butt if you take it at home, it'll be okay to drive after getting it IV.

Dennie