Has anyone had an iron infusion?

[ironinfusionquestion]

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

Hi OP, I've had one and didn't have any side effects (although of course that doesn't mean anything about how likely they'd be for you).

Tablets make vomit within 10 minutes and all's gives me constant upset stomach but the infusion had zero side effects for me

Nope, I had one last week. No side effects although only thing I found was that I expected to feel better straight away and it’s only a week later I feel the affects of the anaemia eg tiredness have reduced.

I had three when pregnant and absolutely no feelings of nausea or sickness. I hope they help you.

Hi, I’ve had one and didn’t get any side effect at all 😊

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

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

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

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

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).

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

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

Also had one recently and no side effects

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

It seems to be down to the individual.

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. 😬

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.

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.

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.

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.