IV Iron Transfusions

 Has anyone had an IV Iron Transfusion. I go see the Hematologist Oncologist on Thurs and I'm not sure what to ask or what to expect?! Can anyone help me?
Thank you so much

 I just finished a series of weekly infusions (8 total). Depending on how depleted your iron levels are, you may have less. They are painless...lasts about 15-20 mins. I started to feel much better after #5, now I feel "normal" again. I will be getting a blood test every 6 mos from now on to check for any drop....between my dr and me, we have agreed that I will not be taking oral iron supplements because they do not seem to be absorbed by my guts and make me constipated. If I have to have an infusion every now and again to top things off, so be it.  Good luck!

 Yeah the iron supplements have done NOTHING. Thanks for getting back to me. Are there any questions I should be asking when I go in?

 My referring dr explained everything to me before I went, so I really didn't have any questions. I did worry it would be uncomfortable, like the dye in a CT scan...but, no. You don't feel any strange sensation, at all.  I hope your hematologist does them in the office. My regular dr (who is a metabolic endocrinologist) does not do them, he gave me a scrip and suggested I try the hospitals in my area (he is about 1 hr away from me, and I have 3 hospitals nearby my town). I was unable to find any infusion center or hospital that would accept my scrip because my dr wasn't on their staff. I did find a gastroenterologist who has an "infusion clinic" one night a week for bariatric patients....I found it interesting that there are so many of us who become anemic and have to do this.

 My doctor recommended I go see a Hematologist Oncologist. So I'm offer to the Cancer Centers of North Carolina Thurs.

I have about one a year - just the one and it takes about 4 hours to infuse - much more convenient than the series.   It's completely painless and my Haematologist is an Oncologist also ...

 Are there any specific questions I should ask? I read some people get certain types of Iron, or is it just blood? I just want to get a better understadning. 

Thanks so much

There are many, many ways to administer the IV iron.

I have friends who have sat throuogh eight hours in one day and that was the whole program.  I usually have infusions that last about 1.5 - 2 hours and I have a series of one infusion per week for four to six weeks.  That usually does it for me for 12-18 months.

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Some irons are sulfa based others are not. I know this as I am allergic to sulfa based meds regardless of how it is administered and right now I am having an issue with the iron ferrous as it reacts to another medication I have to take orally.