Iron infusions!

[emmaaaargh]

Hey everyone!! So I'm set to have an iron infusion within the next few weeks, and I was wondering if anyone else'd had one and how it went. I'm having Ferinject - the new, fast one that supposedly takes about 15 minutes at most - but I'd also like to hear your stories on basically having infusions in general. What's it like? If you have iron infusions, how often are they done? Basically anything will help

Thank you!! :tongue:

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Hi emmaaaargh!

I haven't had an iron infusion but wanted to offer up some info to you while you wait for someone to come around and respond:

Here is some info on how typical Iron infusions are done:
http://www.irondisorders.org/therapies-to-increase-iron

The injection is done slowly to avoid any reactions:

The intravenous iron or IV infusion procedure generally requires a series of doses that may take up to three to four hours to perform. The procedure is usually done at a hospital on an outpatient basis or at hemodialysis centers. Prior to an infusion, a test dose—25 mg of iron dextran—is given over period of five minutes. The patient is closely supervised to assure that he or she can tolerate the iron. If the patient develops no adverse reaction to the test dose, escalating doses are given over the next few days until 2 grams per infusion are tolerated. When IV iron is administered carefully, with close observation, patients usually tolerate the treatments well.

With regards to Ferinject here is some info about that specific infusion:
http://www.ferinject.co.uk/pdf/Ferinject_Patient_Leaflet_FINAL.pdf

 

[inflixiblab]

Hey emmaaaargh,

I recently had a 1000mg Ferinject iron infusion as my bloods had shown low levels of haemoglobin and ferritin. The infusion took around half an hour, I felt fine afterwards and was able to go back to work.

I have noticed less tiredness since the infusion - not falling asleep at my desk in afternoon. I don't think I will need another infusion for at least another 6 months.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I had the 15 minute one called Feraheme. I'm not sure if that's what you meant or there is another new one.

I get them as needed per blood tests looking at hemoglobin and iron saturation mainly. I'm chronically anemic but the goal is to just not let me drop too far from the low range of normal. Infusions aren't bad, I goto a really nice facility with a comfy chair I can put my legs up, watch tv, get warm blankets and stuff. I also have a chair in the room next to me for a guest. It's so nice because they do lots of chemo infusions which take much longer. It's not that bad it's 15 minute push with saline and then I get observed for an hour to ensure no allergic reaction.

I'm not sure what your doctor says but my hematologist always tells me it will take two weeks before I start feeling better.

 

[lisakuney]

My experience is similar to NGNG's. Fereheme pushed in quickly, then wait 1/2 hour to make sure no reaction. I had infusions in December, and again last month.

 

[emmaaaargh]

Thank you everyone! I think Ferinject is reasonably new, it's ferric carboxymaltose. I'm getting 1g of it and I read that it didn't take very long - about half an hour - but I just wanted to check, since I'm doing all of my GCSEs this year it's pretty important that I don't miss a lot of school!

I'm really looking forward to it since my performance in PE at school is going down the toilet. I couldn't even run 1/4 of a mile the other day without getting palpitations, breathlessness and the general feeling that I was going to open my mouth and my heart and lungs would come out - so I can't wait!

Thank you all again

 

[nogutsnoglory]

It's probably the same drug and just named differently in the UK. I was very happy with it compared to the other long and smaller dose infusions which you need several of. This is a big time saver.

 

[goldenholds]

I had a bunch of iron infusions last year to improve anemia. I had been taking iron supplements for a few months, but it was not enough. I had 8 infusions in all, spaced about 2 weeks apart, depending on when they could fit me in. It wasn't a big deal to get them, lasted about an hour with getting setup and saline flush and everything. I started feeling better after a couple weeks, and got steadily better after that. My hemoglobin is now normal, but it took Remicade treatments before my hemoglobin increased on its own without the iron infusions. All in all it was very helpful and easy. Only problem was it would have been ALOT better if I had been given them sooner. I had to walk slow just to keep from passing out. Ahhh the good ole days. lol.

GH

 

[Volcano]

Dress warmly.