Anyone had an iron infusion?

[spencerreidswife]

After years of having anaemia my consultant has decided to give me an iron infusion as I am constantly tired. Just wondering if anyone has had this and how did they feel afterwards?

I have had a few.

I felt a bit sick and flu-ey afterwards - shivery, aching bones/joints (especially pelvis and sternum). I took paracetamol and lay in bed in a dark room for the next day or so and it wore off.

Other people don't seem to react as badly so maybe I'm just a wimp! :)

Either way, it was worth it and I hope that yours is too. Anaemia sucks

Felt fabulous from three days later after months of utter exhaustion. No adverse reactions at all (except on seeing the bill!)

No, I'm in South Africa. It cost R15000 for about 400ml of iv gold iron. But I wish I'd had it sooner.

I didn’t have any adverse reactions, but it was after surgery and a blood transfusion so I can’t say I felt better immediately as I had a long recovery period, (hysterectomy) but my blood tests improved very quickly

Is it more than that in the UK? I wonder why? For a little bag of sterile rust? Would be a lovely holiday actually, get it all done in the first two days and enjoy feeling more and more energetic as the days pass!

I have one every 3 months due to chronic anaemia. I’ve never had an adverse reaction and always felt much better within a couple of days. Sometimes they even give you biscuits.

Had one done last month (actually it was 2 half doses 2 weeks apart).

My ferritin was under 3 so unreadable but I wasn't having any symptoms so don't feel any different.... but good to know there isn't so much strain on my vital organs! There are several brands of iron infusion, I had Feraheme (am in the USA) and it's the one with the fewest side effects apparently.

Each infusion took 20 minutes (after temp / bp checks etc), sat in a reclining chair with a book, very comfy. Followed by 40 minutes of observation before I was allowed to drive home. Allergic reactions (itching etc) can be treated with Benadryl, after which I wouldn't have been allowed to drive, but I was fine.

BEes and mist where do u get it done? NHS? I can’t get on with iron tablets at all.... not ever thought about infusions.... would pay if not ridiculous/silly money. Fed up of being exhausted

I’m in uk.

Yes NHS toohard. I’ve had stomach ulcers so can’t take iron tablets but I’ve sat next to several nice ladies who have had it done at the same time who just get sticky/ nauseous from iron pills. I think it must be a fairly cheap procedure because my doctors are always happy to send me off to get an infusion rather than look into the actual cause.

Bees, have you been tested to see what's causing such a loss of iron? Do you have your levels checked before and after an infusion?

I have had various things written off - no internal bleeding, B12 levels, kidney function, white blood cells all fine. So at the moment it’s a bit of a mystery. There’s been mentions of lupus or CFS but when I have normal iron levels I’m absolutely fine, it’s just the symptoms of anaemia I struggle with.

I normally have a blood test and if it’s showing that I’m anemic I usually get an infusion within the next couple of days. Then I have another blood test about 10 - 14 days later to check I’m no longer anemic.

Interesting.... my doc is trying to get to the cause of my anemia too, wondered what I had ahead of me!

What have you had tested so far bradley? I think the most important one they did was an abdominal scan and stool spample to check for internal bleeding. Obviously if you have internal bleeding it’s really serious and they want it fixed ASAP. After that and my white blood levels were found to be normal they seemed a lot less concerned. I think because then it points to auto immune issues which are harder to both diagnose and treat.

Thanks, I've had those tests too, all good. I've been anemic for probably 12+ years, topping up with supplements. I'm now under the care of a consultant hematologist here in the USA, another apt next week with loads of post infusion blood results so we'll see what he says....