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AIBU?

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Original poster

Has anyone had an iron infusion?

30 replies

ironinfusionquestion · 06/05/2024 08:05

I am having one this week as I'm severely anaemic and I can't tolerate tablets. My main fear is that I will experience stomach side effects (nausea or vomiting), because a work colleague told me she felt really sick after having one. I'm considering cancelling the procedure as I am highly phobic of sickness (trauma linked to my childhood that I don't want to go into).

Can anyone who's had this procedure please tell me if I'm likely to experience nausea / sickness after my infusion? Just looking for reassurance as I really need to go ahead with it as the anaemia is making me so fatigued I can't go on like this ☹️

Thank you

OP posts:
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Miiaaoow · 06/05/2024 14:41

I have chronic nausea and did not experience any extra nausea or vomiting.
I'm emetephobic too, the iron infusion is worth the tiny risk. You can always ask for some anti sickness meds.

Chaoseverywhere · 06/05/2024 13:55

I had one last week and no side effects at all. It was my first one and I had to be fit for surgery so needed it urgently. Good luck to you both

peonyjam · 06/05/2024 10:56

I had one in pregnancy and had no side effects like that. I couldn't tolerate the tablets at all. I hope it helps you feel better. They are really effective

KidneyWarrior · 06/05/2024 10:18

I have one every few months and have never had any nausea or any other side effect, they just make you feel more energetic a few days after having it.

squeakandbubble · 06/05/2024 10:17

Just another adding that I can’t tolerate tablets but feel nothing from the infusion. Can’t hurt for anti sickness just incase though!

Naunet · 06/05/2024 10:16

The infusion doesn't work any quicker than the tablets (as long as you tolerate them)

Thats not correct, they work a lot, lot quicker. I had to have a couple because I was waiting for an operation and needed an instant correction so the op could go ahead, the specialists told me with tablets it would take at least 6 months.

Serencwtch · 06/05/2024 09:55

Galliano · 06/05/2024 09:35

What sort of levels are you all getting infusions at? My haemoglobin is 74 and I don’t feel great but not been mentioned as an option

Not being able to tolerate iron tablets/liquids is a bigger factor in the decision for infusion. The infusions are alot more expensive & carry a higher risk of serious complications eg allergic reactions. The infusion doesn't work any quicker than the tablets (as long as you tolerate them)

If your Hb is not going up on the tablets then definitely ask about infusions. They definitely can be a lifesaver. I've had so many blood transfusions that I've developed a load of atypical antibodies meaning I can't have un cross-matched blood in an emergency. I've not needed a transfusion since I've had the Ferinject infusions.

Galliano · 06/05/2024 09:35

What sort of levels are you all getting infusions at? My haemoglobin is 74 and I don’t feel great but not been mentioned as an option

daisy2002 · 06/05/2024 09:32

I had 2 infusions last December and had no side effects at all.

I've gone from being breathless walking for 2 minutes as well as daily palpitations and extreme fatigue ... to be able to run for 10k for the first time last week.
I will be forever grateful for the gp who didn't dismiss my results and just want to give me iron tablets like the doctor I first saw. I asked for an infusion and she arranged it.
I look and feel like a different person.
Good luck with it, hopefully you'll be fine.

helleborus · 06/05/2024 09:27

I've had 3 and not had any side effects. It can take 3 or 4 weeks to really feel the benefits.
Like you, I have a real fear of being sick, but I wouldn't hesitate to have the infusion even if I knew it would make me sick because it would be a short-lived price worth paying to get rid of the anaemia.

Original poster
ironinfusionquestion · 06/05/2024 09:25

Thanks everyone. Seems the overwhelming majority didn't get side effects, which is reassuring. I might ask if I can have anti sickness medication beforehand as a precaution anyway. 😬

OP posts:
IvorTheEngineDriver · 06/05/2024 09:22

DD has them. Never felt sickness after any of them, she tells me.

It seems to be down to the individual.

Takeaways · 06/05/2024 09:16

My daughter had one and was really sick and had a terrible headache. If she did it again I would give her ibuprofen and anti-nausea medication beforehand. Hopefully it's easier for you.

Serencwtch · 06/05/2024 09:16

I have nausea for a couple of days after mine & occasional vomiting. I don't think it's common. Most people don't get any side effects.
They can prescribe anti sickness if it's a problem.
I have Ferinject & used to have monofer.

Mamimoo · 06/05/2024 09:13

I had one a few years ago when I was pregnant. I was very anaemic and couldn’t tolerate the tablets.
They gave me an infusion and it was great. I sat for an hour or two relaxed and had no side effects at all.

Noicant · 06/05/2024 09:10

nope no side effects apart from glorious energy within a few weeks.

katystar · 06/05/2024 08:55

I have them every 3 months never felt sick. I have mild flu symptoms normally 48hrs later but nothing 2 paracetamol can’t sort. They take a few weeks to kick in.

Godlovesall26 · 06/05/2024 08:45

Also had one recently and no side effects

ApricotsAndPlums · 06/05/2024 08:36

I’ve had two with no side effects whatsoever. I actually felt noticeably better almost immediately afterwards!

Walkingwithdinosaurs · 06/05/2024 08:35

I get one about every 6-8 months never had any side effects.

Sophiesaph24 · 06/05/2024 08:21

My daughter had one a few weeks ago, after surgery.

She had no sickness but she had been told that she might have mild flu symptoms and she did get those approx 48hrs later, but they were short lived (and just shivering, no vomiting).

littlegrebe · 06/05/2024 08:21

DH had a few when he had cancer (so was pretty unwell anyway) and was never sick, if that helps at all.

AnnaMagnani · 06/05/2024 08:18

Have met a consultant who runs an infusion service. He reported issues were having to give an anti histamine about once a year.

FabricPattern · 06/05/2024 08:11

Mine were flipping fabulous! Didn't have any side effects and I felt so much better!

Dragonfly909 · 06/05/2024 08:11

I had one last year while pregnant, no side effects and I felt much better after!