Iron Infusion Success Stories Please!

[Jellybelly888]

Currently 33w.

Got diagnosed with anaemia at 28 weeks, been on iron tablets over 4 weeks but they make me vomit and it turns out my levels have dropped even more since being on them. They are now 67 for haemoglobin and only 5.2 for ferritin, which is utterly shambolic. They have to be at least 105 and 30 by 36 weeks.

On Tuesday night I was so poorly and yesterday had to go to hospital for an emergency iron infusion, but I couldn’t have it. I am utterly exhausted and feel completely floored with tiredness. Because my B12 is also extremely low, I had the B12 injections yesterday ahead of my first iron infusion that is booked for Sunday.

I’m trying not to worry, but I know my levels have to significantly improve before 36 weeks and I’m looking at weekly infusions. Has anyone had this and how quickly did your levels climb?

I can’t remember what my levels were but they totally missed it at the hospital until 38 weeks when I was so breathless I could barely talk. I had 2 infusions 48 hours apart and honestly I felt brand bloody new. Take a book and have a rest while they do it!

The infusions begin to work right away but your levels should be markedly improved in about a month. Low B12 would physically inhibit you from making enough red cells so the B12 injections will be key to success also! Assuming they're giving you ongoing B12 injections? You have plenty of time to get it sorted. In my area they won't even offer iron infusions before 34 weeks (because they don't want it to drop again before birth). So on from that, if you havent already, really commit to planning iron rich foods and snacks every day to keep your iron up once the infusions are finished. You'll be fine OP you have a great plan of care in motion by the sounds of it😊

Oh this is reassuring to hear, thank you. The breathlessness is just something else isn’t it? Glad it helped with you and the relief was almost instantaneous- fills me with hope I only have a couple more days feeling like this!

Thank you for your reply!

They haven’t said about the B12 injections being ongoing but I guess they must be? I think they’ve offered me the infusions because my levels were so low and the tablets haven’t worked at all.

I’ve been eating so much cabbage, spinach and kale recently too which I must say, has done wonders for my skin so maybe I should continue long term! Every cloud.

Thank you for the reassurance x

Hope the treatment works for you out asap. Maybe just follow up re the B12 injections because initially you'd get them 3 times a week for 2 weeks, and then maybe monthly thereafter. Depends on your scenario and how low it was. Great news about your skin, I must follow suit!

Op have you asked GP for liquid iron?

Tablets was making me I'll and levels kept rapidly dropping I'm 36 weeks.

I asked for liquid iron last week as I have heard it was gentler on stomach,

I had my results this morning and it's my iron is higher than it has been since I was 28 weeks!

My infusion for next week has been cancelled.

I had an iron infusion today! I have been horribly anaemic all my life and can't have the surgery I need until my iron is up. I had to pay for it, £700 as its not available on the NHS in my area.
I had the max dose and I am already feeling better although it will take 6 weeks for the full effect.
I had it in my lunch break then went back to work as I work in the hospital.
I'm feeling like I could climb Mt Everest right now. Good luck.

P.s I don't absorb iron pills so this was the best £700 I ever spent.

Could have written this sounds very similar to me my feritin was 5! I had it at 36 weeks and had a elective ar 39 I felt better by the time of my elective

You must be feeling awful. So sorry.

Infusions act like a miracle cure and work almost immediately. I found my skin and hair improved. You'll feel like a new women.

Thank you so much everyone! This has made me feel really positive for tomorrow. Cannot wait to feel better and just to have the energy to climb the stairs or hang the washing out. Haven’t walked the dog in weeks.

I will ask about liquid iron because I have to carry on with these tablets in between infusions and I just can’t seem to tolerate them (I usually have a stomach of steel so I’ve been so frustrated).

Onwards and upwards from tomorrow all being well and I’ll chase up the B12 injections and what the plan is for them x