My endocrinologist has said that I am low in iron and a transfusion is the simplest option. I have not encountered this before and when I googled it -was rather sceptical.
I know that oral iron takes a long time to work, so a quick hit seems like a nice idea.
Has anyone had one? Would be v. grateful for any info.
I had to this a few times when I was pregnant with our 3rd, was very low on iron. I had taken the pills but it was not enough. Do not worry to much the drip takes about 25min and really not that big of a deal. They told me some people feel unwell after or even during the infusion, but to let them know as soon as I do. I did not need to, I felt fine. A few days later I felt my energy going up. After the 3rd drip infusion I was back to my normal self. Hope this info helps
Whatever you do insist it is done via a drip, not direct injection despite the latter being much quicker. My wife had a course of iron this way and a locum missed the vein for the last dose. My wife had had a "rust" patch under the skin around the injection spot in her elbow for 3 years and iron-induced tendonitis.
I suffer from a chronically low iron level, so I do it regularly. It's very efficient and quite quick.
My doctor indeed does it through a drip, because of if you are even slightly out of the vein it burns like hell. Otherwise, if done correctly it is painless.
Pills make me so sick that I have even less iron after the course than before. Drips are the only option for me, and its not even a bother.
Even i had very low ferritin level and my doc suggested me iron transfusion. I googled it and yeah the results scared me.finally i went to frauenspital to take second opinion. They suggested me not to go through transfusion for pissible side effects. The pills take more time to be effective but i didnt go through the iron transfusion.
I would suggest you to take second opinion incase you are not very sure.
My sister, who suffers from a life-threatening auto-immune disease, has to have regular iron infusions. She agrees that it is much better to have it administered by drip, as opposed to injection.
On the plus side, she always feels as though she has a new lease of life afterwards.
I had an iron transfusion in the hospital, right after my C-section. They gave me two huge bags of iron via drip.
I became painfully constipated from it, so I strongly suggest that you demand that they also give you a stool softener -- something like Paragol N (which is quite mild). I think you can even buy the Paragol N at the pharmacy.
several of my colleagues have had infusions... they seem to feel worse for 2-3 days, then heaps better after that...
I can agree with other people about iron injections - in my case, purple and rust coloured bruising, with pain at the injection site for 10 years ! - although it was the one thing that did increase my iron levels...
I also had extremely low iron (level of 11) and my doctor prescribed the pills for 3 months. They worked fine for me and ever since, I've had no problems. Listening to friends of mine, I have the feeling that doctors are quick on suggesting the transfusion - probably more expensive, ie lucrative for them.
I had an infusion last year after one of my chemo cycles. It wasn't bad really. Made me feel better after a few days. I had a central line in my arm, so it didn't go directly into a vein, hence no discomfort. I've also taken the tablets - in the US, i got something called Slow Fe - easy on the stomach and non constipating.
I had four drip transfusions in the last months and it did miracles to my anemia. It takes a couple of days to work but afterwards you feel as good as new.
No side effects. However, as it is often mentioned, it should be properly done and you need to press hard on the place it was administered for some minutes, after it is done, to avoid having a brown stain that could take years to disappear.
Iron pills caused me many stomach problems and did not even help as fast as transfusions did.
Be ware of the different doses and types of transfusions and discuss them with your doctor.
I am having the injection as my level was at 29, the normal being 80. I went to see my doctor and he is giving me 4 injections, he said that having injections or a drip is exactly the same. So far I haven't had any reactions. I don't see any big changes though, still feeling a bit cold and tired!
[QUOTE=swisspea;1677033]several of my colleagues have had infusions... they seem to feel worse for 2-3 days, then heaps better after that...
After I had my 3rd injection, I felt terribly tired. I woke up one morning and had to stay in bed for the whole day, I couldn't get up. I had to at lunch time to cook for my son but after lunch I went straight back to bed until 5pm. I was really wondering what was happening to me. Now I know, thanks for mentioning it.
Its exactly the same until he misses the vein. These concentrations of iron are pretty corrosive to the human body. He wont be the one with an unsightly 3 year long "bruise" and soreness.
What about having a really good piece of red meat? Like bison (very high in Iron) with some fresh tomatoes (for the vitamin C). Iron needs vitamin C to be absorbed.
Our doctor suggested this and within two days the iron levels were up.
Also, a piece of red meat once a week will keep your iron levels up.