Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

Has anyone had an iron infusion?

22 replies

Twoweekcruise · 05/12/2021 20:37

My iron and ferritin levels have been consistently low for quite some time.
Years of very heavy periods and uterine polyps have caused the issue and now I have been put on a waiting list for an ablation but God only knows how long the waiting list will be?
I have tried all kinds of iron but as an IBS sufferer they wreck havoc with my digestive system.
The gynaecologist has now put me forward for an iron infusion.
I am a bit nervous as my gp wouldn’t refer me and said they were ‘far from pleasant experiences’ and told me I needed to put up with the discomfort from the iron tablets!
Has anyone had an infusion? How did you feel during and after the procedure?
Where in the hospital did you have them done? I’ve been told on an online support group they are performed on the oncology suites?

OP posts:

Russell19 · 05/12/2021 20:39

My friend did and she fainted twice in the days following. She felt really rough but she's ok now.

Iamanicepersonreally · 05/12/2021 20:41

I've had several. They were really straightforward and I felt amazing afterwards

Ieatmarmite · 05/12/2021 20:43

I've had lots of iron infusions - roughly one every 12 months. It's painless and I have always been fine afterwards.

Serenschintte · 05/12/2021 20:44

What @Iamanicepersonreally said. I’ve have 4. it’s like a drip. So take a book. I was advised to take it easy afterwards for the day. I had a slight headache and a metallic taste a couple of Times. I then felt amazing. Back to my self. Hair stopped falling out. More energy. Periods so much lighter. It was wonderful

SparklingLime · 05/12/2021 20:44

I felt a bit rough for a few days, kind of like a reaction to a vaccine. The NHS are so reluctant to give them, it’s ridiculous. There is a low risk of allergy, that’s the only negative, but you’ll be monitored for that. In Australia you can get them easily, they are given in GP surgeries.

Tambourinetunes · 05/12/2021 20:45

I have has infusions several times. They were carried out in oncology unit, it is just like having a drip, not painful, after a short time I got a metallic taste in my mouth which I was grateful they warned me about. I got fruit pastilles for future appointments. I downloaded tv programmes to watch and it was quite a relaxing time really! It was hard to use my phone all the time to read the internet etc because of the cannula in one hand. Prepare to be there a while especially for the first one I think they start it slowly in case of adverse reactions. The hardest bit was probably other people who were there for chemotherapy and I heard some sad stories. The infusions made a huge difference for me I could stay awake in the day and breathe when I walked and felt so much better. It wasn’t an instant difference it took a while but I would have they again without hesitating.

nodogz · 05/12/2021 20:46

I've had a few and it's an easy procedure.

It goes like this, check in, sit down, nurse double checks you, you sit there a bit longer, they put the iron drip in, it takes about 20 mins (maybe longer the first time to double check for allergic reaction), they take the drip out, they might give you a cup of tea and a sandwich, go home (I always drive).

I don't even take the day off work, I do feel tired about 1-2 weeks later as your body processes the iron. From memory allergic reaction is rare now (it was more common in older formulations) and sometimes you get staining in your skin from the iron but again very rare.

Within 3 weeks you'll feel so much better

BonnesVacances · 05/12/2021 20:47

Not what you're asking, but look at alternate day dosing for iron supplements. It's more effective and easier on the gut. Plenty of published research and papers on it.

AnnaMagnani · 05/12/2021 20:48

Never had one personally but referred loads of patients. They report they turned up, stuck their arms out, had an infusion and came home.

None of them have reported anything bad and they've all been v happy not to be having iron tablets!

All my patients are pretty ill with other things, iron infusions are very straight forward for them.

AnnaMagnani · 05/12/2021 20:50

Oh, where they are done in the hospital varies, I send patients to Ambulatory Care even though some of my patients are Oncology.

Oncology has enough to do with their own patients.

DorothyCotton · 05/12/2021 20:51

I had two after post-partum hemorrhage's, no issues at all. I had them on the postnatal wards with midwives popping in to keep an eye as I understood there to be a very small chance of an allergic reaction.
Only odd thing I remember was they were very cold and I literally felt it going up my arm neck and somehow into my head, I got an ice cream headache

BlusteringBoobies · 05/12/2021 20:55

@BonnesVacances

Not what you're asking, but look at alternate day dosing for iron supplements. It's more effective and easier on the gut. Plenty of published research and papers on it.

I was just about to suggest this. I've been on iron for a while and every other day is much easier on the gut. And drink with orange juice to help digest!

I'm about to have my second iron infusion during my pregnancy. Takes about 30 mins and I felt fine afterwards (sadly not amazing as others have said!)

Original poster

Twoweekcruise · 05/12/2021 21:06

Thank you everyone, that has somewhat put my mind at ease.
In the meantime I will try experimenting with the every other day dosing.

OP posts:

villainousbroodmare · 05/12/2021 21:07

Easy, painless and fairly quick with miraculous improvements in energy levels within a few days. Only difficult bit was persuading the fuckers to give it to me.

sandytoes91 · 05/12/2021 21:08

I had one when I was pregnant, I'd felt terrible for a week and my iron levels came back horrendously low after a blood test.

The worst part was having the cannula put in as I don't have the most visible veins 🤣 but I can't describe how different I felt as I had the infusion. I was tired, grotty, dizzy and by the time it was done, I felt like a new person!

nextdoorslawnmower · 05/12/2021 21:08

I've had one. It wasn't a big deal at all. No side effects.

kikipie · 05/12/2021 21:10

I had one following a hysterectomy for fibroids which had caused very heavy periods and anaemia. It was absolutely fine

girlsyearapart · 05/12/2021 21:12

I really want to be put forward for one as really can’t tolerate iron tablets / syrups / supplements and my iron is continuously low.
GP said they are reluctant to allow people to have them but I don’t know why

Original poster

Twoweekcruise · 05/12/2021 21:25

@villainousbroodmare

Easy, painless and fairly quick with miraculous improvements in energy levels within a few days. Only difficult bit was persuading the fuckers to give it to me.

I’ve been asking for 2 years. You’d like I was asking for gold infusions!

OP posts:

Original poster

Twoweekcruise · 05/12/2021 21:27

@girlsyearapart

I really want to be put forward for one as really can’t tolerate iron tablets / syrups / supplements and my iron is continuously low. GP said they are reluctant to allow people to have them but I don’t know why

I honestly think it’s more about cost. I did look into private infusions at The Iron Climic but with consultations it’s about £1000.

OP posts:

villainousbroodmare · 05/12/2021 21:33

It's expensive. I was pregnant with two vampires twins and so exhausted I could barely function; I had to stage a collapse on the floor of the gynae's office before they'd agree to it.

girlsyearapart · 06/12/2021 06:36

Oh - makes sense now !

Flip