Possible allergy to iron IV, what next?

[peleburrows]

I was diagnosed a year or so ago as being iron anemic and I couldn't take any of the iron tables due to the side effects. When I tried an iron iv my chest tightened to the point where we had to stop, we tried again 3 times but my chest tightened each time.

What other options are there to kick the iron anemia? Its really become a ball and chain

 

[Lydia]

I have heard of something called floradix being a really absorbable form if iron. You can buy it at health food stores. Take iron with vitamin c and the vitamin c helps you absorb more iron.

 

[peleburrows]

Never heard of it but it looks like it might be able to do the job!

My crohns is at the terminal ileum and i think further up the small intestine too.........would the floradix still be able to do the job?

 

[Lydia]

I dunno. I thought iron absorbtion occurs in the large intestine. I am not sure. Try it and see what happens.

 

[kello82]

I was diagnosed a year or so ago as being iron anemic and I couldn't take any of the iron tables due to the side effects. When I tried an iron iv my chest tightened to the point where we had to stop, we tried again 3 times but my chest tightened each time.

What other options are there to kick the iron anemia? Its really become a ball and chain

hey!
same thing happened to me when i got my first iron infusion, though it was at least 6 years ago.
similar to what you describe, my chest tightened, i felt like eveything was closing on me, i could barely ask for help...very scary experience. sorry they made you do it three times omg!

however, i have had a few iron infusions in the past 2 years and i have been fine, they told me that it had been reformulated since i had the reaction, (not uncommon btw, they reformulated it beCAUSE of people having reactions) and that i would prob be ok. and i was.

but you have had it within ther year and reacted? huh...i guess they DONT have all the kinks untangled yet. well when do they ever....
maybe they are working on a new one. hopefully.

what problems do iron tablets cause you?

 

[Creepy Lurker]

As far as I'm aware, most NHS places usually take the following path.

Diet control/alteration.
Iron tablets.
Iron infusion.
Blood infusion.

When Venofer fails, they tend to move to the real stuff

 

[Crohns08]

A lot of the iron pills don't work for me either, however I have found one that works! It's called "Integra" and so far it's the only iron out there that I can tolerate. It comes in a red capsule and you may need a prescription for it, it depends. It has vitamin C in it, which helps absorb it faster. My crohns is in my terminal ileum as well. There are also things you can eat for iron, like Asparagus, red meat, and tuna steaks. I don't know if any of those bother you, but if they don't, I would try to get those foods in as well.

 

[peleburrows]

similar to what you describe, my chest tightened, i felt like eveything was closing on me, i could barely ask for help...very scary experience. sorry they made you do it three times omg!

howdy!
i managed to stay calm throughout (less so the first time it happened) but when filling in the pre-existing medical conditions forms with the nurse i said i have suffered with anxiety before and so she thought that was what it was down to.........which it definitely wasn't!

what problems do iron tablets cause you?

the two major side effects were stomach cramping and vomitting

As far as I'm aware, most NHS places usually take the following path.

i haven't checked my bloods in a while but i think my haemaglobin was at about 12.5 or something, so i reckon the blood transfusion might be a bit extreme at the moment!

however I have found one that works! It's called "Integra"

Can't seem to find it on google......i'll try floradix / floravital first as it sounds pretty good

Thanks for your replies, this forum is fast become a great resource.....now to nibble on a easter egg and regret i touched it, happy easter ya'll