Iron infusion - how long until feeling better?

[IAmClemFandango]

Been feeling increasingly crappy for about a month. Knew the signs and suspected anaemia so called GP. Blood tests done Thursday, slightly panicked phone call from GP Friday, please can I go straight to A&E, I might need a blood transfusion my haemoglobin is 69 (it should be 115-165). More tests at A&E, Haemoglobin now 71 and cutoff for blood transfusion is 70. So iron infusion was given yesterday.

Since then I am lightheaded, exhausted, dizzy, unsteady on my feet & shuffling around like an old person grabbing onto things. Wouldn't feel safe to drive or go for a walk. Been told i need another infusion in a week but no advice on when I might start feeling better.

So great and powerful MN - if youve had an iron infusion, when did you start to feel better? I've got a full time, relatively stressful job and it's silly season, 2 teenagers, terminally ill MIL 250 miles away who we were supposed to be visiting this weekend and have had to postpone, DH with a myriad of his own health issues; I haven't got time to feel like this!

It took me about 5-7 days to fully feel improved after my iron infusion. Blood transfusions work faster. But it shouldn't take too long. I felt noticeably better by the time I'd had the second one.

I had to have a couple during pregnancy a couple of weeks before I had DS. It took a few weeks but I was the most energetic new mum around. I remember at 6 wks post birth looking in the mirror and looking like I’d had two weeks in the Caribbean. The change in my colour was incredible.
My anaemia was due to chronic heavy blood loss from endometriosis. It was so much worse during pregnancy and didn’t respond to supplements.
That was 20 yrs ago. I had a Mirena coil fitted post natal and periods stopped. My hb never dropped again. It’s still around 13.
You need to find out what is causing your anaemia.

OP I feel your pain. You have a lot on and you just want (need) to be ok. I’m due to have my iron transfusion this afternoon and I want to wake up tomorrow and feel like I can tackle everything that needs doing. Truth is, it can take a week or so. Sometimes when I’ve had them I’ve felt worse initially and then slowly better. The thing that I find so difficult is trying to get people to understand how drained you feel. Not just something an early night can fix. Not just being a bit lazy. But fundamentally broken. Even though you look ok on the outside. Hope you feel human again soon.

Thank you everyone.

Anaemia is caused by very heavy periods. Had them for years. I can't have hormonal contraception as it causes BP to rise, weight gain and very low mood - ive tried most options. GP has referred me to gynae but that could be some time.

@FastnetFinisterre your post is bang on. I'm a relatively fit 41 year old and now I'm out of breath going up the stairs and so lightheaded I'm not sure i can safely drive and people say "oh you need a steak, a Guinness and an early night". Yep. Cheers for that.

I was told a week but I was given a blood transfusion before I had mine to give an immediate lift.

@IAmClemFandango oh yes, people loving saying shite like that. Only for me it’s worse because I don’t eat meat so I get ‘Have you thought about … eating meat?’
I’m a decade ahead of you in trying to get on top of my anaemia. It feels like a never ending battle. Employers say things like ‘well you don’t look anaemic’ or ‘could you just carry a load of boxes to a conference’ and don’t understand when you have to tell them yet again that your energy reserves are limited.

I’m currently waiting to have my iron infusion. Been here 90 mins already. They can’t find a vein. Three nurses tried and then a junior doctor put it IN MY WRIST and then topped off my day by saying the following. ‘Come on. You’re a big girl. You can manage this’ If I wasn’t so freaking tired, faint and weak I may have exploded.