Iron injections

[nogutsnoglory]

iron injections

Wondering if anyone has done the iron injections. my crohns effects the small bowel so im not really absorbing my iron no matter how many pills i take. i am considering getting them through injection. does this definitely fully absorb and how fast till you feel more energy? the lack of iron due to anemia is really taking a toll on my body not to mention the loss of electrolytes thanks to the diarreah.

 

[farm]

No injections, but was on iron pills for years. Been off them for about 2 years now.

 

[imisspopcorn]

Sometimes low B12 can cause some of the anemia as well. I personally have never received an iron injection but I have given them. The medicine is very thick so it can cause cramping in the muscle when injected. Also if you take your iron with Vitamin C, it helps it to absorb.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

sadly my mega dose of iron by pills seem to do nothing but thats because my inflammation is in the area that absorbs iron and b12. My b12 is fine though, can I self inject iron if i get a prescription or i need to goto the doctor?

 

[imisspopcorn]

If your doctor was willing to write you the RX for the iron and syringes I don't see why you couldn't do it your self. I have my husband give me my B12 injection after I draw it up. I personally don't think I could give myself the iron.


It's been years since I've given it, but it is really thick and will actually stain your skin if its not given in the muscle and using a method called "Z" track.(It will ooze out of the injection site) Do you have someone who could help you?

http://www.enotes.com/nursing-encyclopedia/z-track-injection
Here is a description of "Z" track. I also saw some Youtube videos that may help you.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I guess its just easier to have the professionals do it, I just get freaked out with all this crazy stories about dirty needles and mistakes maken with liquids. I wanna make sure I am getting only iron and not some crazy potion lol.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Shantel thanks so much for telling me, I would have expected clear liquid but now I'll expect something dark brown/black. I would have really creeped out otherwise lol.

 

[Agent X20]

This may not help because it was so long ago, but:
I was in hospital (on my 16th birthday, I'm now 53)... there was a sudden panic when a blood test determined I was very low on iron. I had an immediate injection and an infusion, maybe a pint or a litre of the stuff. They explained at the time that the alternative would be to take iron tablets for a very long time... years. The infusion was a dark brown or black liquid... made me laugh because it looked like a pint of Guinness (which is supposed to have a lot of iron in it anyway)
Looking back on it, being hooked up to a drip for 24 hours was preferable to years of pill-popping... I have to pop enough pills anyway.
NGNG: you're quite right to let the professionals do it!

 

[s.a.m.]

Wondering if anyone has done the iron injections. my crohns effects the small bowel so im not really absorbing my iron no matter how many pills i take. i am considering getting them through injection. does this definitely fully absorb and how fast till you feel more energy? the lack of iron due to anemia is really taking a toll on my body not to mention the loss of electrolytes thanks to the diarreah.

I got iron infusions every 2 weeks over the summer, it was fine, no problems. The infusion takes a long time though, hrs. I felt more energy pretty quickly, but I also started B12 shots as well.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

cant you just get an injection at the doctor, i dont want an infusion, i just want a shot

 

[imisspopcorn]

cant you just get an injection at the doctor, i dont want an infusion, i just want a shot

Yes. They give anemic pregnant women it in the office.

 

[jrodrick4]

No, I have never taken iron injections. But I have heard that Iron injections are given by the doctors to the pregnant women.