Iron Infusion Question..

[Mr Bedfordshire]

hi all,

ive been sent an appt letter for an iron infusion, but it just says to be there at 10am monday but doesnt say what i should bring, how long it will take and if i'll be able to drive myself home?!

anyone had this recently, that could help me out as i cant get hold of anyone at my hospital dept to ask?

thanks,

 

[Nytefyre]

I had my weekly iron infusion yesterday. I am in the USA so I'm not sure how close this will be to your experience.

It takes about 15 minutes to go through phlebotomy, where they take my vital, take some blood, and set the needle(or catheter) in a vein.

Then it's back to the infusion room and a comfy la-z boy. The nurse verifies all information on the bag of liquid venofer. Then the infusion begins and takes almost two hours. They offer blankets, as the liquid seems to make me cold when it is going in, and pillows(the office is Georgia Cancer Specialists) for the long-timers. After the venofer is administered and the line flushed(clearing out the last of the meds), it's time to go home.

If you are going to get Infed, there will be a test dose just to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction to this particular med. In my experience, venofer does not require a test dose.

You should be able to drive home, but I think it's best to have someone with you for your first time. You never know what could happen. They may give you benadryl and you may end up being drowsy.

I enjoy getting my iron infusions. I wish I could do them at home, by myself, but GCS is the next best thing!

Good luck! I hope the infusions help you regain strength and energy!

 

[littlemissh]

Does it say if you are having venofer or cosmofer?

If you have only one day it is probably cosmofer. I have had courses of iron recently in the uk on the day treatment unit. I had venofer which is 3 days per course. I was going to have cosmofer for my last one course but they swapped it. Cosmofer is about 3-5 hours on a single day and depends on your body weight and hb level how much you have and how long -so best to presume 5 hours.

You have a test dose and then a wait for about 1 hour to make sure you don't react then the rest is run through. I was offered food (not low residue which i am on so took my own and supplements drinks)but not all treatment units will so best to take snacks/drinks.
I drove myself and had no problems.

 

[Misty-Eyed]

Are you having them in the L&D? That's where I have mine.

You don't need anything except to something to keep you occupied as it can take a long time. They put you in some comfy chairs but there's no tv or anything.

You'll be find to drive yourself home as long as everything goes ok. Which is should, I've never had any problems.

Also, it gets hot in there so I would wear some layers in case you just want to strip to a t-shirt before you get hooked up!

 

[Mr Bedfordshire]

thanks for the info guys!

misty - yep, good old L&D will have the pleasure of my company tomorrow for a few hours it seems. note to self - take hand sanitiser and wipes!

to be honest,i havent felt too bad this last week,si im hoping to have a real spring in my step after tomorrow (fingers crossed)

 

[Jennjenn]

I get iron infusions and it does take a little bit to get everything done. Other than from what others have mentioned, the nurses where I get mine done make sure the drip is slow because I get nauseous sometimes if it is not slow enough.

 

[Misty-Eyed]

Ah well I know you'll be in good company there! Also, they do supply lunch, although it's down to luck how edible it'll be! lol.

Hope it goes ok