over 3 yrs postop..need Iron IV Infusion..low hemoglobin

A few weeks ago while walking around at our local fair, I started feeling dizzy/weak/lightheaded..and soon after i fainted.  This feeling of fainting has been hitting me more often the last 2-3 weeks. I started a new job on Tuesday night and almost fainted again..had to leave (and therefore lost job). I went to the docs office yesterday morning to figure out what is going on. I just don't feel right. The doc had labs drawn on me and said he would call last night only if it was urgent, otherwise i would get the info on results today.

The doc called me last night telling me that i am severely anemic and that the normal hemoglobin is 12-14...and mine is at 7.  Told me that this is putting a strain on my heart..and its URGENT that i get an IV Infusion right away. He said oral supplements will not help me, that my body is not absorbing the iron for some reason.

So i sit here and wait for the call today letting me know when i am getting this done. I have NO health insurance. I am scared to death..how much will this cost me..? ughhh... Going to apply for medicaid today..hoping maybe that would cover it.

Have any of you had this done?? What is it like? What should i expect?

 

I've never had to have an iron infusion, but I just wanted to say that it is BS they fired you for almost passing out.  You are better off without that job.  I hope once you are well you can find one at a company that actually cares about people.

Well if you have to get Iron I can just say from the patient I work with or my co-workers work with at a dialysis center "you will be able to taste it" and thats just a IV Push Shot they get. Good Luck. I know I so slack on my vits I'm really bad about that I hope it doesn't bother me in the future.

I had 4 iron infusions a few months after surgery. They give the iron via IV and it takes about one hour. No pain, no muss, and the entire procedure was painless. I experienced no reactions. I had one per week for 4 weeks. You may need more, since your iron is so low.

Sorry to hear that you fainted and sorry that you lost your new job becaused you fainted, that's not right.

I myself have low iron count/level (minor anemia), just a little low. Sorry to hear that your severely anemic. I don't need to have an iron IV Infusion, jut need to take an iron supplement along with a vitamin C chewable. Sorry to hear that oral supplements won't help you. I hope the IV Infusion helps you out. Sorry to hear that you don't have health insurance. I bet you're scared to death...Don't know how much it would cost, never had to have an IV Infusion. My body too is not absorbing the iron for some reason maybe it is a little bit in a way is absirbing, but needs a little help with a supplement or to. I wish you the best of luck inapplying for medicaid.

Good questions to ask for those who had the experience.

I have no advice, but I wanted to say I think that's crap that you lost your job, and I hope you feel better soon. Hugs

I want to start by saying that I find your success story post vsg very inspiring. My sister had the DS and 9 years after her surgery had to have iron infusions, she even had to receive a couple units of blood because her iron got so low.  She will be the first to admit that she was living off of crap food and not taking her vitamins (which we need to take for life).  I believe Fritos and pop were her staples last year when this all happened to her.  Have you been keeping up with making sure you get your protein in everyday?  I just wanted to tell you my sisters story because she will tell you the farther you get out from surgery the more you forget to keep up with your dietary needs.  My sister experienced bad headaches after her iron pushes.  I hope your problem is something that can be fixed with diet alone and not a metabolic problem.  Take Care.

Just out of curiosity, had your previous lab work shown your iron levels were low?

Mine were low last time, and I'll admit, that is the only vitamin I do not take as prescribed.

I'll have my labs run again in 2 weeks.  I've been trying to eat more iron rich foods in hopes it brings up that #.

Best of luck to you.  Please keep us posted how the infusions go.

Perhaps being anemic is from an unrelated medical condition ?   not sleeve ...

A family member recently had hemoglobin of 7 and required immediate three pints of blood transfusion and hospitalization.  The root cause was a bleeding ulcer.    

It is a very serious condition.  The family member was told if untreated would have bled to death and died. 

Good luck !

Dawn,

Please PM me, your profile is set to private. I can help you with this matter as I have been through it myself, I am 5 years out and have had this problem since about 9 months out.

Heather