Anyone had a blood transfusion

[hopeful]

I am curious to know if it caused your Crohn's to flare, or made it better?

There seem to be conflicting reports in the medical literature about whether it has a beneficial effect on the disease itself (obviously it does for the anemia).

Thanks all

Hopeful

 

[vonfunk]

I've had 3 this year. All of them due to blood loss because of the flare,I've very anaemic. It helped with the anaemia and got me back on my feet, but did nothing to make the flare up I was in better or worse.

 

[Nytefyre]

I have had a lot of blood transfusions, as well, for anemia. Definitely helped! I didn't really notice any improved symptoms if I was in a flare.

 

[ameslouise]

Ditto exactly above. No diff in Crohn's symptoms but tons more energy and relief from anemia.

 

[Ian]

What are the risks with blood transfusions again? Something about once you've had one there are higher chances that future ones won't work? All I know is my Doctor mentioned me having one once or anemia when I was in hospital but decided to 'save it for a day when you really need it', and my mum said 'like if you're in a car accident or something' lol. Thanks mum!

Anyway, I treated it the slow way in the end, with high doses of iron tablets and lots of charcoal-looking poo

 

[sknipper]

Yep. Had two pints in June. I was very anemic (hemoglobin was 6.9) and the transfusion raised me up to 8.9. It didn't impact my Crohn's disease at all.