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Original poster

Has anyone had an iron infusion?

27 replies

RedPandaWanda · 08/02/2022 12:59

I’m so annoyed with myself.
I’ve had years of heavy periods, just plodded along accepting that I will be housebound 3-4 days a months, flooding through clothes and bed linen, arranging my life around my periods, month after month, year after year. Scared to try anything like the pill, Mirena, mini pill etc.
Now at 49 I have eventually plucked up the courage to have something done about it, I am due to have an ablation tomorrow (or a Mirena, I can make my mind up at the time).
However, I have been anaemic for sometime and again (stupidly) have limped along, struggling with the iron tablets as they upset my IBS. I had my blood rechecked yesterday and today a haematology nurse called me to say that my ferritin has dropped down to 3 and they would like me in tomorrow for an iron infusion.
I am bricking it, my GP tried to put me off infusions by telling me they were ‘far from a pleasant experience’ so now I am absolutely kicking myself for not sorting out my heavy periods sooner.
Such an idiot 🙄
Has anyone had an infusion? What are they like? What happens? Did you feel unwell after? The nurse says it’ll take at least 1.5 hours!

OP posts:
MrsBloxby · 08/02/2022 13:05

Hi OP,
I had an iron transfusion before my last dd was born. It was so kind of my midwife to arrange it and I felt so strong and well after the birth.

It was not unpleasant at all. You just lie there, hopefully with a good book or device and you have a drip with a coca cola looking liquid that slowly trickles in.

Its so much better than the awful iron tablets ( no thank you to the constipation side effects).

Hope it all goes well OP.

LifePartyRing · 08/02/2022 13:09

Not an awful experience at all.
I'd googled horror stories foolishly so was worried but it was fine.
Hope it helps

Iheartmysmart · 08/02/2022 13:11

I had one with a ferritin level similar to yours. It was very straightforward. Sat in chair, nurse arrived to check my details then they put a cannula in the back of my hand and attached the infusion. It took about 90 minutes and the only issue I had was a slight metallic taste in my mouth. Take mints, water and something to read. My hand was a bit bruised the next day but not painful.

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Tufty383 · 08/02/2022 13:16

I had one in November, easy peasy. Cannula in, hook you up for 40 mins and all done. Felt a bit rough the next day but nothing major. Drink plenty of fluids before you go in (easier for the cannula to go in) and warm hands also help. I used one of those little plastic fluid filled hand warmers.

Puffincino · 08/02/2022 13:23

I don't understand why gps say that. Mine said the same which is the last thing you want to hear when you already feel grotty.

This is a safe treatment. Having it isn't unpleasant (except for when they cannulate the back of your hand). For me it was an hour of lying still with no side effects during or after.

A couple of weeks later I remembered what it feels like to feel normal. Genuinely life changing after I had been on the floor with tiredness.

Good luck OP. I hope you feel better soon.

SageRosemary · 08/02/2022 13:28

I was admitted to hospital for a blood transfusion and investigations as my iron levels were on the floor. Managed to talk them down from a blood transfusion to an iron infusion. I have difficult veins so getting me set up was difficult, (junior doctor failed about 7 or 8 times and the house doctor had it in in seconds) as it is for any IV fluids, but there was nothing at all unpleasant about the infusion itself.

TheFormidableMrsC · 08/02/2022 13:29

My friend has to have them fairly regularly. No issues at all except for feeling MUCH better.

PrincessPaws · 08/02/2022 13:43

I had two just before Christmas (a week apart, supply issues meant I couldn't have the higher single dose on the first appointment)

The infusion itself took 15 minutes and it just involved a cannula being inserted and then a short wait. I felt quite stiff for a couple of days after and a bit fluey, but nothing unmanageable (or that different to the symptoms of my anaemia!).

6 weeks later I feel a million times better and can't believe I put up with feeling like shit for so long! Now if only I can get some help with the cause of it (which are issues similar to yours) but I'm still being fobbed off there....

AnnaMagnani · 08/02/2022 13:47

I have no idea why your GP said that.

While I haven't had one personally, I have sent many many patients for them and they all say the same, they were boring. Sit down, have drip, go home. Repeat a few weeks later - you have 2. Feel much better.

TheLoupGarou · 08/02/2022 13:47

Nurse here - I have given LOADS of iron infusions. Try not to worry. We used to give them over 30- 40 mins. The rest of time will be booking you in, getting IV access, doing clinical obs and a short period of monitoring after the infusion.

As with any medication of course there is a small risk of adverse reaction, but you will be monitored for any signs of this. In our trust it is standard to give two infusions a week apart, but this might vary depending on where you are. Most of our patients get a really good result from the infusion, so I hope you feel the benefit.

TheLoupGarou · 08/02/2022 13:48

Don't know what your GP was on about - there's nothing to it really!

Original poster
RedPandaWanda · 08/02/2022 14:03

Thank you everyone and thanks TheLoupGarou.
The haematology nurse has just called me back. I did ask if it could be performed at a smaller hospital near me but she says that as it’s my first infusion there is a small risk of anaphylaxis (try not to panic!) and so will need to be at my local general hospital which has an A&E, she also says it’s in the chemotherapy suite. Is that normal practise?

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 08/02/2022 14:31

The risk of anaphylaxis is incredibly small - used to be much higher with an older product. It's now so small as to be almost non-existent but the risk is still there. But then think about it - that risk exists whenever you take penicillin at home and you still do it.

Also different hospitals do it in different places but always in suites that do a lot of infusions. So chemotherapy would be a common place to do it as the nursing set up is there.

RainbowCrayons · 08/02/2022 14:41

I had one after DS was born because I lost a lot of blood. Not quite enough to need a transfusion but close so they offered this. It wasnt great because the put it in the cannula I had had from the birth (it was about 24 hours after by this point) and that had collapsed but other than that it was fine. It should be fine in a new site. And I felt rough after but that was probably more related to the blood loss, difficult birth and poorly baby (he's fine now) . I recovered remarkably well and I'm sure that's thanks to the iron (and vitamin b they did at the same time).

fighoney · 08/02/2022 14:44

I would rather have an infusion over iron tablets any day! Makes you feel loads better in days!

Lulu1919 · 08/02/2022 14:56

I had one when pregnant about 25 years ago
Felt fine during and after

mixum · 08/02/2022 15:02

Yes, I had massive internal bleed and received multiple transfusions. A few weeks later bloods gone to pot and got an iron infusion (Ferinject). No problem at all, no sensation, no worries, nothing. That sorted me out, and I felt fantastic.
I was monitored closely every 15 minutes for any adverse reaction, just a precaution and part of the protocol.

LittleKitten1 · 08/02/2022 15:03

Felt brilliant after.

ihaveonecat · 08/02/2022 15:12

I wouldn't worry
I started on an injection that has a risk of anaphylactic reaction and from the amount of staff there and the monitoring they had me panicking! They didn't leave my side for 2hrs after the injection and made me feel like it was bound to happen
No reaction and I do my injections at home now!

AnnaMagnani · 08/02/2022 15:15

Another way of looking at it - you are supposed to do a patch test when you dye your hair and you do that at home. And how many people actually do the patch test? I know I never did

Loads of things come with a risk of anaphylaxis.

longtompot · 08/02/2022 15:21

I've had two, a year apart. Mine were done over two doses a week apart. Even though it was a bit sore having the cannula fitted into the back of my hand, it was a better place for me. When I had it in my arm, near the bend of my elbow the machine kept beeping meaning the flow was being inhibited.
I sat in a chair, was given a cup of tea, and just had a nice chilled hour or so. The first time I had to stay for half an hour afterwards to make sure I didn't have any reaction but the next time I could go as soon as it was done.
I started to feel a bit more 'alive' a few days after the first one but thought this was psychological as I was told it would take a week or so for this to happen, but after the second dose I could walk up hills or the stairs without feeling like I was going to collapse.
I hope your ablation and or coil fitting go well tomorrow. I am having a hysteroscopy on Thursday, my second one, as my polyp removal last Sept hasn't helped. No idea what I will be having done, as I didn't even know it was going to be this procedure when the appointment was made!

BananaBender · 08/02/2022 15:23

They're easy. Get a cannula put in then lie back and relax while the infusion runs. Have a nap, read a book or play on your phone. I don't get any side effects afterwards. After a week or two I feel less dead with slightly more energy. So much easier than iron tablets.

mug2018 · 08/02/2022 15:31

My 10yr old daughter had one - she was absolutely fine. Just sat back & watched Netflix for a couple of hours & felt 💯 better after it.
You'll be absolutely fine. 🤗

GloriousGoosebumps · 08/02/2022 16:39

I've had two iron infusions. One as an out patient and one as an inpatient. Unfortunately, they didn't raise my levels so I ended up having a blood transfusion. As pp's have said, there nothing to be concerned about and certainly no pain. You just sit tethered to the machine for 45 minutes to an hour. Unfortunately for me, I didn't have mood lifting reaction some of the posters mention nor did my levels rise to the levels the doctors were looking for even after the blood transfusion.

GingerbreadVanMan · 08/02/2022 16:50

What a strange thing for your GP to say. I’ve had loads and been absolutely fine, putting in a cannula is the worst part for me but I have really awkward veins.
They do take a couple of weeks before you feel the benefits but that’s still quicker than tablets. just make sure you take a book or something on phone as it can be a little boring just sitting there.