Anyone had an iron infusion before?

[Rollercoasteride]

Hello

Has anyone had an iron infusion? If so, how long did the procedure take? And how long did it take to have an effect?

After battling with low ferritin for years, my GP has referred me for an infusion. My appointment is this afternoon.

Ferritin is normally between 10 and 20 (most recent test was 20).

Been taking iron tablets for years, but the levels only increase slightly.

Hoping I will soon have lots of energy

It takes about six hours, they do a low dose for an hour to check there's no reaction, then they do the proper dose for four hours, and then you have to be observed for an hour. I don't know how long it took to have an effect sorry.

Mine was only for about one hour. I think I felt the effects within a couple of days.

Mine took about an hour (although had to wait a bit for the dr to insert the needle thingy).
I had 2 one week apart and began to feel better by the second infusion. I didn’t really have any negative side effects at all. Good luck today.

Thanks all. I am hoping it won't take too long... fingers crossed for no side effects 🙏

Lots of transfusions and infusions over the years.

For my last iron, mine took 6 hours, but I had to have two bags (my level was 6) and needed a saline clearance in the middle.

Take lots of books/magazines, charged phone and battery pack, downloaded shows/movies and snacks/water etc. Once you are connected up, it is a pain in the butt to move around (though the bag will usually be on wheels). Also recommend wearing a comfortable skirt (& warm clothes if you suffer the cold) - nothing worse than trying to pull up trousers with one hand!!

I find I prefer to have a cannula in my left hand, although they always try to put it in my right arm. The hand is a bit more sensitive, but I find it easier to keep the cannula flat and not get a dead arm.

Also, as a right handed person, I want to use my right hand to turn pages, send messages, move around and random stuff like scratch head, pull up knickers etc

The staff are usually lovely and will leave you alone once you get connected.

The infusion itself usually takes about an hour but I find your in hospital for about 4 hours as they need to wait for a pharmacist, do a saline flush, recovery etc.

The first time I passed out getting the canula in so I need to lie down for it but once in it's fine. I also like it to be in my left hand, as in your arm you feel you need to keep it straight and it can hurt after a while.

It's really nothing to worry about, though be aware it can take around 3 weeks for your haemoglobin to be up enough to feel the effects.

I have low ferritin too! Usually

Yes, it took about an hour. I was sick with flu like symptoms for a day afterwards and then the energy and clear head kicked in. It was fine :)

Mine is caused by heavy periods, hatius hernia and bowel issues..I have them all 😂

@TOADfan I keep being told I have heavy periods by male doctors 😂

it’s like they think I personally wouldn’t notice having a heavy period.....

I definitely don’t have them!

@countrynutkin i found that myself that's what they always say. When my iron started getting low I didn't have heavy periods.

Also what's heavy for one person is light for another. I had an op and coil for heavy periods but hearing some stories on here..they weren't as heavy as some people's.

Thanks for all the hints and tips everyone.

Back home and all done. I was in there about an hour. No side effects so far.

I've been on iron tablets for years so hopefully I will feel much better.

My low iron has been caused by bowl problems, periods and I am veggie which doesn't help. Gp says I don't absorb iron very well.

I start to loose my hair, get dizzy and having joint pain along with the usual tiredness... I am hoping the joint pain will go away, otherwise further investigations will be required.

Glad it all went well. You should start to notice a difference within a week and things should start to improve. Hopefully Drs can sort out the underlying cause so it doesn’t happen again.

@Rollercoasteride

May I ask how it went for you after that first day?
Did you get side effects ? Did you feel better from anaemia symptoms ?

Many thanks.