Iron Infusion

[AussieChick]

I am getting an Iron Infusion next week and I have no idea what to expect. Any advice and how long until I start feeling alive again ?

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

Thanks

 

[kiny]

It doesn't take long, after a few hours I already felt more energetic when I got them. It takes a while for your body to raise hemoglobin levels, it's a gradual process over hours, you'll feel less faint and less dizzy and have more energy.

As far as the infusion, it's just a tiny needle and a baxter, takes an hour or two, it depends on the type of iron, some can be given faster, others slower, it's nothing.

Take something with you to read though, or a tablet or cellphone you can keep yourself busy with.

 

[AussieChick]

awesome thank you

 

[afidz]

Some people reject the iron, but the nurses are well aware of what to look for if it does start to happen. They tried giving me an iron infusion a few years ago and my bp dropped and I almost passed out. In my experience, they check your vitals every half hour or so but it has been a few years so it may have changed.

 

[AussieChick]

ah k fair enough. Yeh i havent been told too much, just that it will take between 3 - 4 hours. Very anaemic atm. So tired and pretty much can't do anything and look like a ghost! Can't wait to feel some energy again

 

[afidz]

Do you know what your levels are?

 

[AussieChick]

Um the last test said Haemoglobin was 83.

 

[afidz]

yea, that is pretty low, but you should feel a lot better afterwards, maybe even during

 

[AussieChick]

awesome can't wait
thank you

 

[farmerswifey]

Hi AussieChick! My 10 year old son has had many iron infusions, his Crohn's symptoms have been lethargy, anemia etc, not gaining weight. I can definitely see a quick difference (few days) in him after the infusions (I tell him he is literally MY IRONMAN )

He gets colour back in his face and energy and just seems happier. I'm sure you will love the results!

 

[AussieChick]

aww that's cute!! poor little guy, can't imagine having this horrible disease as a child

 

[afidz]

aww that's cute!! poor little guy, can't imagine having this horrible disease as a child

I couldn't either, it breaks my heart reading the parents stories. Parents, you are just as strong as your child for going through it all with them.

 

[farmerswifey]

I couldn't either, it breaks my heart reading the parents stories. Parents, you are just as strong as your child for going through it all with them.

I know what you mean, when my son was first diagnosed I was a mess, so emotional etc. He was the one that just got on with it, I had to keep it together as he was only 9 years old. Coming to this forum helped me greatly x

 

[Jordinary]

My haemoglobin was at 67 and two months after the iron infusion (and two bags of blood) my levels were back to normal. But two days after the infusion, it had only risen to 71. So don't worry if you don't get immediate results, but you are definitely on your way to healthy levels!

 

[hainman]

Hi Aussiechick i had an infusion a few months back,in the UK i had to sit in the hospital most of the day as it was cheaper to do it by IV drip,wasnt to bad,took the laptop in and it passed the time,took about a week before i felt the full rewards but damn did it make a difference,i do alot of mountain biking and after my infusion,i was a lot faster,could climb hills i would have struggled to even get a quarter of the way up,longer rides etc....

It will make so much difference to your general day to day life,way better than the ghastly tablets they used to give me,made yer poo black,which was rank rotten

 

[alex_chris]

My haemoglobin was at 67 and two months after the iron infusion (and two bags of blood) my levels were back to normal. But two days after the infusion, it had only risen to 71. So don't worry if you don't get immediate results, but you are definitely on your way to healthy levels!

Jordinary, just watch out that levels don't gradually fall again. Happened to me quite often. My trick is to watch my pulse rate when doing sport. If I notice I get exhausted at sport sooner than normal or I got a higher pulse while running or cycling at a certain speed, I know my hemoglobin might have fallen again.

What are your levels now? Mine had fallen to a shocking 5.4 at some point but are now at 16.3 (normal range for men is 13.5 to 17.5).

 

[Jordinary]

Thanks Alex, my levels have been stable for about 6 months now as I have stopped losing blood through bm. At my last blood test they around 12, so still at the lower level but much better than before!

But thank you for the tip.