Question:
Anyone had Iron Infusion and B-12 shots?

Wondering what anyone elses experiences with these. I have been taking b-12 shots weekly and Had my first Iron infusion on 8/30/06. Almost 1 week ago and I am not feeling any difference. How long before I should feel some effect? Thanks for your help. post op 10/1/03 at goal 150    — missy4499 (posted on September 5, 2006)

September 5, 2006
Most of us will end up on B12 shots, eventually. A lot of ppl over 50 need them for basically the same reason we do. And again. iron deficiency anemia seems to be a predictable outcome for those who are not started on a hearty dose of absorble iron. It never was about our age or gender, but always about the malabsorption. If you want to talk to a group of ppl who've had iron infusions, and almost all are doing B12 via shots (I'm too lazy to do the sublinguals), go to the Grad list. There is a lot of combined long term experience on this list and I'd recommend it in conjunction with this site and any local lists you use. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
   — vitalady

September 5, 2006
How do u get to the Grad list??
   — byHizgrc

September 5, 2006
I take b12 shots twice a month and have been doing so for about two months now. Usually I notice the difference about 2 days after the shot. I seem to be more tired (and apparently more tired looking according to my neighbors) on the tail end of my shot.... Fortunately I have never had an iron transfusion (knock on wood) but I have lived with chronic low iron all my life. I would think you'd feel a bit of difference once your iron levels get back to a more "normal" level- how long that takes, I just don't know. Best of luck to you! Rachael
   — Ravenwulf

September 6, 2006
Hi there, I did iron infusions for 12 weeks this Spring. I didn't feel a difference until about the 7th-8th one. I go back to the doctor next week so we'll see where the labs are. I don't absorb the iron in pill form. I am post op 7/02/01.
   — tchandler

September 8, 2006
Missy, My RNY was 4/23/03 and I am severly anemic. I am scheduled for my first visit with the Hematologist on 9/13 to start iron transfusions. Please email me and keep me in the loop on how you are doing with this. my email is [email protected] I have no energy. My hemaglobin is at 8 and my ferritin is at 2, but I have plenty of red blood cells, they just aren't filling with iron. My PCP immediately set up the referral when he got the lab results this time. My levels were low 3 months ago so I increased the pill form iron and B-12 to four times my normal intake spread out throughout the day. It actually decreased again over the 3 months. He didn't waste any time in setting up the referral because he tells me it is "Dangerously low" because I have to reserve if I were to bleed for any reason. Best of luck to you..... Your Okie friend,,
   — wealthgvr

September 10, 2006
I had an iron infusion last year. It took several weeks to feel the difference. I get a B12 shot once a month and take sublingual B12 2-3 times a week. My iron is low again. I am waiting for a referral to Hemetology. I guess that this is my long term complication from the surgery.
   — Allison M.