Iron transfusion anyone???

I just found out (at 2 1/2 yrs post op) that I need to have iron transfusions every three weeks for the next three months or so...has anyone had these done??  Are they uncomfortable to have???  Any side effects??  I'm also deficient in Vitamin D...I think I'm given this at the same time...please give me any advise you can!!!  Thanks, Jill 272/198/145

Hi Jill, I'm five years post-Op.  I have IV Iron Infusions (InFeD 1,200mgs) whenever my ferritin drops below 50.    It's usually about every 6-8 months, and I do it over two days.  It's not that bad.  I start feeling better after a couple of weeks. I was also deficient in Vitamin D.  I now take a prescription Vitamin D (Drisdol) once a week.  It's a green gel capsule.  It has taken care of the problem. My Hematologist is seeing more and more post-ops needing infusion of Iron.  She said that we lost the area of absorption during our surgery. HTH

Iron and D are two expectable and preventable defciencies, so you're not alone.

If you cannot raise your D levels to about 70, it's because the Rx D is vit D2 in oil form. We cannot absorb fats/oils to any reliable degree, which is why we're deficient in D (and A & E) in the first place. And we cannot convert D2 to the form the body recognizes, D3. There are dry forms of D3 in small to large doses. 400, 1000, 5000, 50,000. Yes, 50K in non-rx form. But it's D3, so a month of this daily usually brings ppl up, then they back down a BIT to stay about 70.

With iron, it's often a matter of too little, too late. But many HAVE gotten off infusions by working with different oral irons until they found a combination that works to hold the numbers nice 'n comfy.

You can do this! Even with myradical distal, I have fabulous numbers and they are where I want them, and I am far pickier than the docs about just HOW far into normal range I want them to be.

Jill, I had iron infusions weekly for 3 months. I had a daughter a week before my 42nd birthday and a great deal of blood loss after birthing and developing HELLP Syndrome. My iron levels kept decreasing and 9 months later I started the infusions. They worked for me. The Hematologist put me on SlowFe 2 times a day and it worked for me although my WLS surgeon had reccomended a different iron and was against SlowFe.  A recheck and my levels are perfect. I had  a reaction of flushing and heart palpitations when the nurse gave the infusion to me too quickly on the 3rd treatment, I had to have it drip for an hour. Also, they put a heating pad on the site the IV goes in to warm up the spot and worked for me as I never had to get stuck twice in one sitting. I think it is a delicate balance we ride after WLS and it is best to keep on top of vitamins and suppliments.. Some things just cant be controlled no matter the efforts and hopefully the infusions will be a fix to get you back in balance.  Best wishes, Hugs! Melissa  

No, they don't hurt, unless you have a allergic reaction (I did) and you are given a different form of Iron. Vitamin D is given to me in 50,000 IU caps twice a week.

Just checking to see how the iron transfusion is working for you and what your iron level was at the tiem they discovered that you need such? I found out that my iron level was 1 (yes, one, you can't be more anemic) and I had a blood transfusion with in a day. It got my red blood count up, but did nothing for ferritin level.  The Hematologist (my saving grace) told me that he is seeing an increase in post WLS patients. I am 6 1/2 years post-op (gastric bypass), and according to the hematologist, the location (and only area) in the intestine where iron can be absorbed has been totally bypassed on me and no matter what type of iron I take, no matter what I eat, I will have to have maintenance transfusions once he gets my levels up (the goal now is 50... which is a long way from 1). Also, he said, as did my surgeon, that my bones have no iron, therefore the red blood cells being produced are puny and small.  I have really felt like the last six months of my life has been stolen as I assumed my weakness and chronic fatigue was due to a recent death in the family, only to learn that my own health was in jeopardy.  Any feedback from anyone who has encountered this situation after being diagnoses as significantly anemic post op would be appreciated. I am wondering how long it will before I feel normal again? Thanks, Gina