low rion

Hi everyone,
I'm new but not new...I was a member before my WLS which was 11/04, but really haven't been on since.  I had Lap RNY and it went very well, I lost all my weight and then some, almost 20 lbs. more than my dr. said i would!  Have regained that 20 lbs. and would like to take off about 8 lbs. but that's a different topic!...
Anyway, I have not been good about taking iron until recently when my hemoglobin went to 8.9 and i started taking liquid iron for 4 weeks, retested and it was still 8.9.  Iron is 18 and Ferritin is 5.  I'm going to hematologist on the 20th.  My question is, everyone is talking about blood transfusions, infusions, what is the difference and what are the side effects I hear about?  I realize that I need to take better care of myself and I will do whatever the dr. says.  Can anyone give me some info on what to expect?  My Primary dr. also mentioned procrit injections. 

thanks! 
Laura

You know, I wonder myself what the differnces are..
I have always been anemic an my DR's have never resorted to infusions or transfusions.
I presently am taking Repliva... I just started it about 3 weeks ago.. and i am feeling a little more energy on it.. than any other iron i have taken..
I have never been told by my doc about a feitin level vs an iron level but see them in posts all the time.. I guess my levels must not be so bad .. I am hopefull.
Well good luck and i hope they can medicate you ..
Good luck
Donna

Thanks for replying.  I'm trying to get into a different hematologist so i can get in faster.  I have heard of repliva too, so we'll see what they say.

I just had iron infusions. They made such a big difference.

Iron infusion is basically liquid iron. There is at least 2 different meds available. I had ferricyte(not spelled right). I had 8 infsuions over the course of 9 days by way of an IV. The first 2 I did in the morning. After that I did them at lunch.

They build up your tolerance to the meds. The first day I had to stay afterward for  30-60 to watch for a reaction.The first 2 or 3 days they ran the meds over an hour with saline. After that it only took 30 minutes. They moniter blood pressure before and after. 

I did not have any issues tolerating the iron. I felt much better after 2 treatments. 6 weeks after the treatments my ferritin has jumped from 6 to 99 and my iron satuaration went from 10% to 25%.

My hemoglobin was nearly as low as yours.

The hematologist will have the best plan for you. In addition to the infusions I take 100-150 mg of iron carbonyl daily depending on the time of the month.

Good luck !
Belinda

Thanks, that helps a lot!  so the transfusions must be with actual blood.  That makes sense.  I'm trying to get into a different hematologist so i can get seen quicker and start feeling better.  Apparently the one i'm scheduled with is on vacation.

I need to look into a better iron supp.  I've heard good things about tender iron.

Thanks again,
Laura

Perfect Iron is the brand I use. I think it is cheaper than the Tender Iron. It is also Iron Carbonyl. I get it from drugstore.com. I have also heard that it is available at RiteAid. I couldn't find it at my local RiteAid.
Belinda

we have a new rite aid, I'll have to take a look.  I got into a different hematologist for this friday, I'm so glad.  I also faxed my blood labs to my wls surgeon to see if he has any suggestions.

Thanks again
Laura

I found the Perfect Iron at Meijer and bought a bottle.  When I got home I saw that it has 117 mg of Calcium.  I couldn't believe it, my doctors have always told me NOT to take calcium or eat dairly with my iron because it decreases absorption.  I had to re-read it because I thought maybe it said vitamin C, which helps absorption, but no it is Calcium.
What are your thoughts about that?  I e-mailed the company and asked them why they would put Calcium in an iron supplement, but I wondered what you knew about it since someone must have recommended it to you.
You have had good luck with this?  It was pretty inexpensive, so I was excited to have found it, but I'm afraid to take it until/unless I find out what the Calcium is for.
How much do you take?

Thanks
Laura

The tender iron actually has some calcium too. About the same amount. Here's a link to the info.  http://www.vitalady.com/nutrition/1706.htm

I think the reason it is ok is that the little bit of calcium is not enough to block the iron from absorbing. I'm sure someone can explain this better. I think the little bit of calcium helps it to be carboyl iron. The feosol brand of carboyl iron also has a bit of calcium in it.

I have been taking the perfect iron and my numbers have been improving.

I take 4 tablets or 100mg most of the time. I take 6 tablets or 150mg during that time of the month. I break it up into 2 separate doses and add a vitmin C tablet to it. This upon recommendation from my hemotologist.

Good luck
Belinda

Which irons have you tried? How many mg? Taken how? With what?

Ferritin is FIVE? Can you get out of bed?