Question:
Please describe your iron IV experience

What is the name of the iron you get? Frequency? Dose? How long does it take to infuse? What type of facility takes care of your IV treatment(hospital, doc's office,etc)? Do you have to pay, does insurance cover it, what is the cost? What was your starting ferratin number? subsequent numbers after iron doses? What ferratin number was/is your doctor trying to reach with your treatments? My starting ferratin was 1 in 9/04. Rec'd Venofer, 250 mls over 2 hours, 3 times in 2 weeks, Oct/04. Blood work in Jan/05 was still 1 for ferratin. More Venofer same dose and frequency in Feb/05. Blood work in April/05 was up to 7 for ferratin. More Venofer same dose and frequency April/05. In 7 months I've had 9 treatments of 250 ml Venofer that brought my ferratin from a 1 to a 7. Next round of 3 250 ml treatments is scheduled for first 2 weeks of June/05. This seems to be taking a very long time. Any comments?    — mary ann T. (posted on May 20, 2005)

May 20, 2005
don't know if this is any cosolation, i got a very obese friend who had to donate two pints whole blood aweek for six months to purge iron. he ended up on total disability. i hope he takes my lead and checks out a ds.
   — walter A.

May 20, 2005
mary ann, I had to take iron IV's for almost 2 months. My ferritin levels were at 2 at that time. Although I can't remember the name of the type of iron I took I'm sure it started with an "F". I can always call on Monday to check it out to make sure. My levels after that 2 month treatment are in the 50's range and have been perfect ever since. The only reason that has happened too is because I've since had a complete hysterectomy. Even got my hemoglobin after a 4 pint transfusion back in PERFECT range! I'm right at 14 now with no complications. I'm not sure, but if you read my profile it might give you more insight to your situation. Good luck!
   — Carole M.

May 20, 2005
mary ann, remembered the name of the iron I took. Ferrous sulffocate (not sure about the sulffocate part though) but I am sure about the ferrous part. I went to an oncologist for this treatment and told him specifically about the gastric bypass and he told me this would be the best kind since out bodies don't absorb otherwise. He was also concerned too, and I don't want to scare you about this, but with ferritin levels as low as I had it could have put me into congestive heart failure! Look into why yours isn't working for you quick!
   — Carole M.

May 21, 2005
Mary Ann, When I started iron infusions my ferritin was a 5. The hematologist that I went to put me on small dose infusions for 36 straight days. I had a mid-line in my arm so they didn't have to start a new IV each and every day. After 10 days my ferritin levels were 200+ and my hemoglobin went from an 8 to 10.2. Now well over a yaer later my levels are well within the normal range. The iron that I was given was InFed.
   — Pamela B.

May 23, 2005

   — aprilbaree