Chronic Anemia Solutions?

[eightball298]

Hi All,
It's probably been more than 20 years since a bad reaction to Methotrexate sent me to the hospital, where an emergency transfusion was necessary to counter my dangerously low hemoglobin levels. I'm still trying to figure out if my levels were chronically low prior to that event, but I remember taking iron supplements on and off as a kid. Lately my blood tests are showing all values related to oxygen/iron in my blood as at the very bottom of the normal range or lower. It has to be why I'm getting shortness of breath after the slightest exertion sometimes, while other times the same activity will have less of an effect. I've given up on the oral iron supplements, since not only don't they seem to have any effect, they cause cramping and digestive issues akin to the effect I usually see from taking too much Advil. At least the Advil does something. Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone here has had experience with supplementing the iron via infusion instead, and any other experiences/solutions/advice on the topic. It is really making it difficult/impossible to improve my endurance and derive any benefit from the physical therapy & exercise program I'm trying to make the most of to avoid back surgery. Thanks.

 

[December's flower]

I 've had two iron infusion + B12 vitamin. This helped lot with my anaemia.
Also taking orally filicine

 

[shamrock15]

I had chronic anemia that ran for over 3 years - 60+ units of blood and about the same iron. Never really found out the cause of that run, but it just suddenly stopped.

There are different forms of iron available. The only one that worked for me and wasn't too hard on my stomach was one derived from ox blood. Much more expensive, but it did do some good. I believe it was called proferrin. Could be wrong about that though as it was quite some time ago.

 

[Jabee]

I’ve had iron infusions several times and they really do help. Is there active inflammation in your duodenum? That’s where iron is absorbed in the gut. Unfortunately crohn’s sufferers also get anemia of chronic disease. It’s really hard when you literally can’t do things because you are too anemic.

 

[Guerrero]

Iron infusion works much better than suppements.
I had chronic anemia too when my med were not working, and needed like 1 infusion every 2/3 month.
Now with entyvio my hemoglobin is back to very high levels and i need iron infusion maybe evey 5/6 months just to reboost my ferritin.

If i had anemia again i'd check my inflammation levels and look for a better treatment cause in my case the anemia was related to the efficacy my Meds.

 

[Anna's Bandit]

I took iron pills on a daily basis many years ago.
My blood test results improved so then I no longer had to take them. But several years ago my hemoglobin was 4.6 and I was sent directly to the hospital for a drug transfusion. I received two units of blood. I have been okay since then.
I now take B12 and D3.
Take Care.