Anyone have to have Iron Infusions????

Hey guys, Has anyone had to have Iron Infusions for Low Iron/Hemoglobin/Ferritin??? My levels have been low and the doc had me on HemoPlex and I had no luck on it. After taking it every day for a month my levels still were low: Iron 15 (30-150) Hemoglobin 9.4 (12.4+ Ferritin 2.7 (15-150) He is very very concerned about my Ferritin which is your Iron Storage. He said for me to feel good it should be about 100. I basically have none left. He told me that a pill will not work at this point as it is so low and it would take MONTHS to get it in a somewhat normal range. So he has decided to do the infusions as he can get my levels up in about two infusions. Has anyone had to have these??? Thanks. Jenn

I've had an iron infusion Jenn. It's a long day but not painful. They give you a test batch through an IV, wait 1/2 hour to make sure you don't react to it. If all is well, then they put the whole thing through your IV. I was there for 7 1/2 hours when I went. What a loooooooooooooong day!!!!!!! You'll want to bring a book and a snack and of course some water!!!! After the infusions they'll wait a couple of months and then retest your iron to see if your body is holding on to the iron or not. That'll tell you if you need repeated infusions or not. Some people's body just can't store iron after wls and those people end up getting repeated infusions (I've read a couple times per year). I go back the beginning of March to see if my infusion is holding (Praying that all is well there). Best of wishes to you, Laurie ??? Do you crave crunchy things?? I did like mad!!! That was their first clue that my iron was low. I was eatting only things that had a good crunch to them. Weird huh?!

Wow all day!!!!! Did you get the bone aches or flue like symptoms my doc told me about? Did you start to feel better soon after?. I am so tired all the time and yes I crave crunchy things all the time. I eat about 6-8 pounds of ice per day (no exaggeration) and I want to much on pretzels and pita chips (and we are not supposed to do that). I just want to feel better.

I didn't get any aches or pains, but I certainly didn't come away from it feeling better either. My doc told me it takes weeks to feel the effects of an infusion and not to expect a burst of energy afterwards. He was right as it was a gradual increase in energy over a period of time - I hardly recognized that I was getting better. I know about the pretzels desire. Luckily for me I cant tollerate much in the way of white carbs! Ice, Ice, Ice.... every drink had to be full to the top with ice!!! Yup, you're normal. heehee Best of wishes to you Laurie

Hi Jenn! I had to have one iron infusion after my last surgery. I was in the hospital anyway, so it was no big deal...my problem was a bit different because they were fighting blood loss anemia, so they didn't wait to see if it had an adverse effect on me. They just wanted it to do something GOOD. It helped a little, but like I said, the issue was quite different from yours and Laurie's. I ended up getting 2 units of blood...which took forever . My point is, as Laurie said, it's not painful or even uncomfortable, it just takes up a lot of time. Good luck, I'm sure all will go well and you'll feel much better! Lizzie B

Well Jenn, I am doing them right now. I am doing the short ones 3 times a week, but I am still in there 2-3 hours to get them. It is slowly bringing up my hemoglobin. I am achy in the joints and muscles and I don't feel too good right after for a little bit, but it isn't too bad. It is worth it if you get your levels up. Also I have done some research and found out a few things about natural iron absorption and taking your iron pills. Tea and coffee inhibit iron so don't take your pill with that. I split mine and was told to take it with orange juice as acid breaks it down and aids absorption. Certain foods can help like citrus foods and cantaloupe and others can hinder absorption. Do a google on iron absorption, I learned quite a bit that way. Good luck, Wendy

Hi Jenn, I had 5 iron infusions back in the summer. My primary care doctor referred me to a hemotologist who told me that lots of time at about 3 or 4 years out, we stop absorbing iron. He told me that I could eat all the iron rich foods, and take all the supplements I wanted to and I still would not absorb the iron. I didn't have any problems with it....no aches or pains. I was there for about 1/2 a day the first time and then just and hour to an hour and a half each other time. Now I take a Vitamin B-12 shot once a month at home and it has kept my iron levels up. Good luck, don't be afraid of the treatment and let us know how you are doing. I was eating about 8-10 glasses of ice every day, but now I'm not crunching ice at all which makes my dentist very happy. Jane

Hey just curious. Why does taking b12 help with your iron levels staying up? Also how do you get the stuff to do your own shots at home? Also how much do you take in the shot? I have been doing the sub-lingual 1000mcg daily. My b12 was low last time they check it so I am trying to be good about taking it. I am so looking forward to NOT EATING ICE.

Jenn, I'm not sure WHY the b-12 keeps the iron level up....I've wondered that all along, but always forget to ask. The hemotologist told me that I could give it to myself. I asked about it because I knew it would be so much cheaper....they charge about $40.00 to the insurance and at home, the serum only costs about 2.000 a month and the needles are free. My husband has been giving it to me....he is diabetic so already knew how to give shots, but I could do it myself, except I like it in the hip and it's kind of hard to manuever that. We did go to the hemotologists office and the nurse gave us a little training session on it. I'm not sure on the dosage amount....I'll check it when I get home tonight and let you know. The doctors & nurses always said it was a painful shot, but it has never bothered me. take care.....I know what you mean about the ice. Jane

OK so where do you buy the serum? Also I remember my hema doc telling me to take xtra b12 while I am getting the infusions because THAT much iron tends to deplete the b12. So this is very interesting info. My b12 was on the low side of normal at 280 and my lab said anything under 270 was deficient. So maybe the low iron and b12 are connected.