Iron infusion - gastric side effects?

[Sabee]

Hello

I will be receiving an Iron infusion tomorrow, as my iron levels are low, and I cannot tolerate oral iron due to IBS and other 'gastric' issues.

However, I have been reading and some of the side effects I read are abdominal cramping, diahorrea etc

Can I ask, has anyone experienced any stomach/digestive issues after getting an infusion? Particularly if you already have stomach/digestive issues?

Quite anxious, as I get back problems and my sciatica flares up with digestive issues, and I'm having a lot of problems in my current pregnancy due to these issues on a daily basis.

Thank you

iron infusions usually don't give gastric side effects.
however there is a risk of allergic reaction (rare). you should stay at the hospital for an hour after the infusion has finished. the nurse should discuss with you before the infusion starts.

you should feel much better soon after the infusion.
good luck!

What is your iron level if you don't mind me asking. Mine have been dropping despite being on iron tablets but they haven't said what the cut off for a transfusion is. I'm on 3 tablets a day at the moment.

Thank you Loti92 and redchocolatebutton for your replies!

I really hope that I don't experience any weird symptoms - really feel on my last legs at the moment in this pregnancy... I have tried but I can't help feeling anxious!

Regarding tiredness, I do feel shattered, but if it works I will be interested to see how much better I feel. On one level I feel I have just become accustomed to being tired! Hard to know what is normal when you are at the end of a pregnancy, running after kids, and what is due to the low Iron!

ruralcat my iron levels are ninety something, and my iron stores are at 6.

I don't believe they normally give transfusions at these levels, but due to me not being able to take Iron orally, and that I had a major PPH (post partum hemorrhage) in one of my previous pregnancies, I am at greater risk of it happening again.

I wasn't eating meat before I knew my Iron levels were low, but once I found out, I did, and they stabilised a bit, even though it didn't raise them - meat really is the best way to boost Iron levels.

I've had one and I did have some nausea and cramping and 12 hours of severe flu like symptoms 2 days afterwards but it didn't last long.