Question:
If you can't do the iron infusions, then what do we do??

I am 2yrs, 4mos post op RNY...I am also low in my iron. Went yesterday to do an Iron Infusion, had a nasty allergic reaction to it, and they sent me home...today I feel iky,my question is, there are 2 more brands of iron they can try. What if I can't do any of them??? Anybody have this problem??    — Janet M. (posted on April 15, 2005)

April 15, 2005
There are shots, IM and you can continue to try oral irons. I've seen them work together.
   — vitalady

April 15, 2005
Try the IV iron that is given over an hour-long infusion once every 8 weeks-- much lower chance of a reaction. The IV iron that replaces all of your irin stores at once has a strong chance of provoking allergic reactions.
   — lizinPA

April 16, 2005
Jeanette, I take liquid iron that my doctor prescribes for me, because my body won't absorb the pills, you must take it in water or juice, pulled through a straw for it will stain your teeth yellow brown, but it has clearly cured my anemia. The taste is tolerable as well, usually if taken in juice you don't taste it.
   — johnlette H.

April 16, 2005
Janet, I am also allergic to the iron. What we have found that works for me is to give me Benedryl and Decadron prior to my infusion. I makes me sleepy, but seems to help control the reaction. I am getting Venofer, which works the best for me. My normal treatment plan is to receive 1 vial (100mg) over a 2 hour period, which is twice as long as normal. I go three times a week for 3 weeks and then once the last week, so that I get the entire 1000mg load. I have now had 23 infusions over the last year, and I seem to tolerate them much better. If you have any questions, just let me know.
   — MandyT

April 18, 2005
I was getting Z-track iron injections in my hip...but that didn't help me, so they also infused me. I literally stopped breathing, and my heart also stopped. NO FUN. Talk about a bad reaction. Now, they are afraid to try ANY iron. I get a blood transfusion on average about every other month now. It is a nightmare. It takes like 8 hours to get two units in me, but my iron is so low...I have to do it. Right after I delivered my baby last year, my hemoglobin actually dropped to a 2.8, my doctor said he had never seen one so low with the person still alive. Anyway...that is what they are doing for me. IT DOES HELP. I seem to feel better almost immediately and it lasts from anywhere from 30-90 days it seems like before it stops dropping off again. GOOD LUCK!
   — Jane S.

April 19, 2005
I am an RN and I do infusions of iron, chemotherapy,remicade,etc. There are 2 different kinds of iron, iron dextran (Infed) or ferrlicit. With each any every infusion you must five pre medications of solucortef and/or benadryl IV and always,always have to do a test dose and wait one hour then proceed with the infusion over the next 4-6 hours or as ordered by the physician. These steps are not optional under any circumstances. This will test for any reaction immediately or delayed.
   — jharriesimrn

July 9, 2005
I am anemic 4 years out and have been very tired and especially worn out after I exercise. I had my first infusion of iron dextran a few days ago and had an allergic reaction to the test dose. Wasn't fun but the nurse and Dr. were able to reverse the reaction quickly with benadryl and decadron. We're going to try another kind of iron mixture that seems to provoke fewer reactions. I was told it is probably the additive to the iron mixture and not the iron itself that caused the reaction. You can research the statistics on reactions on the internet as I did and see what you think. I was not prepared for the fact that my body would not absorb oral iron after this surgery. I was told that I would have to take vitamin supplements for the rest of my life and everything would be okay. Guess that was not entirely true.
   — Pam J.

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