I'm about to begin iron infusion treatments for my severe anemia. Has anyone been through this? Can you tell me what it's like, what to expect? I've heard it can take a long chuck of time per treatment...

Any experiences with it would be news to me. Thank you.

I don't think my experience will help you. Treatments have changed so much and the last infusion I had was 15 years ago. Back then, I remember that it took several hours just like chemo does today and I could 'taste' the foul stuff going right into my bloodstream. I understand that today, it isn't nearly as bad. That's the good news. The better news is that if it works, you won't believe how good you feel!

No words of wisdom from me, but I'm super excited that you'll have a "full tank" soon!

Hi Sandi,

I have not had any of these but I have a friend who did 3 months ago. She said it was super easy, about 45 minutes and she felt great afterwards. She started sleeping through the night right away and does not crave ice anymore. She also has more energy.

Good luck and let us know how you feel afterwards!

Jules

Jules, these words filled me with such hope I almost started crying! Thank you. I will let you know if it works. I have a feeling that more wls people will have to go through this in the years to come...

Hi again Sandi!

I am borderline anemic and should be taking iron but it constipates me terribly, so I don't. After my friend had the infusions I've been trying to get the nerve to ask my doctor to let me have them too! My friend did not get constipated from the infusions either. Last weekend when I was reading posts here, someone said they used an iron pill from Shaklee that did not constipate them so I ordered it. I hope it works. I am going to try it after this week, because I'm doing the 5DPT this week and am worried about being constipated anyway! I'll be curious after you have the infusion, how you feel and what you think.

Hugs! Jules

When I took infusions, they used a form of iron called Ferilocet. I had to go to our local cancer clinic as an outpatient. By the time I got in , got hooked up, and finished, it was about 2 hours total. The infusion itself ran over an hour. The worse part was the sting of the IV, but overall, it was not that bad. I thought it might be depressing, being in a cancer center, but the patients and nurses always seemed to look on the bright side of their circumstances, so I left better than I came, and always counting the blessings God has given me.

I have iron infusions every three months. I bring LOTS of stuff to read. Drinks and snacks (now protein). It generally takes about 7 hours from start to end. I used to have a weird side effect of non-stop sleeping for about 3 days. Now they run the iron a different way so I don't have any major problems. It's kinda like getting gas, I feel really good and my levels usually go up to 11. I have always been anemic even before my surgery. Let me know how you do.

Deb

Oh Lord, I never heard of this. How do you get so anemic?? I havent had my surgery yet, but this is something I need to know. j

jhk,
The way it was explained to me is that there is only a small area of the intestine that absorbs iron. Depending on how much of that area is in the part that no longer is used, we may not absorb iron well or maybe not at all. I have a friend who has the infusions because every part of her iron-absorbing intestine is in the limb that is not used. Your MD DH can probably explain it more fully.
By the way, my friend said the infusions are no big deal. She reads while she's there. She never mentioned it taking 7 hours like I read in someone's post somewhere.

Deb, thank you so much for the 1st hand account! I am going to have to travel 2 hours each way for this, take a day off of work each time, etc. I need all the info I can get.

jhk: I would say that not that many people get anemic from the surgery itself. As long as you are taking your supplements, you should be okay. I've been anemic for a long time, and it's just gotten a little worse in the 2 years since the surgery. My situation is caused mostly because I'm a woman who has crazy mad fibroids in my uterus that cause severe monthly problems with things I'd rather not discuss publically.

This does however, I feel, really underscore the need to be very serious before the surgery that you will commit to taking vitamns and minerals for the rest of your life. This is not negotiable.

Thanks again, everyone.

Hey Sandi,
I probably should have started out by saying that everyone is different. Unfortunately, I am not one of the lucky ones. When I met with my hemotologist, she was able to give me all the details. I just went along for the ride... It really isn't anything but boring. I switched hospitals for the treatments and now this one gives you a private room with a tv, reclining chair and dvd player so I really can't complain that much. Let me know how things turn out.
Deb

Sandi, I've had Infusions several times and It really is a piece of cake, the amount or time it takes really depends on ho low your iron is and how many Bags you need usually 2 to 4 hours. I found it to be quite relaxing actually, no side effects after for me. I never took my vit. after surgery for about 3 years then got really anemic, started infusions, regular blood work and take my multi-vit, plus other supplements and have not had to have infusion in almost 2 years. Good Luck, looking forward to hearing how it went Isabella

Just wanted to wish you luck and that I am thinkingg about you!

Hey Sandi,

Iron infusions really are a piece of cake. The worst part is getting the IV. Needles aren't fun. It's unfortunate that you have to drive so far away to have this done. Maybe you can make it a day for you when you go. After your treatment stop for a massage or a pedicure or something special. That will make taking off from work and driving so far really worth the effort. Good luck to you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs.

Hi Sweets! I think Sharon's idea sounds like a great one. After you get the first one do some scouting and see if you can find a spa for a little pampering afterwards. Or even a nice place to do a little nature walk to enjoy being out of work. Gotta make the most of a day off!

smooches xx

I had this done about 2 yrs ago. I had let myself get rundown. Had just had child #3. It took an entire day. The dr didn't want to risk a reaction to the infusion so they ran it in very slowly. I felt great afterwards. I have since began taking my vitamins more faithfully. My iron and B12 tend to be on the low range but with ocassional B12 injections and diligent vitamin consumption. I haven't had to have this done again.

I work at a hospital so I don't like wasting a day off at the hospital. I do anything I can to keep from being a patient.

Samdi--I have had this twice before and am scheduled for it once again. For me it was an all day procedure. The IV stings like fire to be honest--so they had to do it longer to keep down the pain for me.

JHK--
anemia is VERY comon after WLS---for some it is worse than others
speak at length with your surgeon about the post op protocol and how much of the intestine will be bypassed---the shorter the bypass the better

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QUOTE(Sandi @ Feb 2 2008, 09:53 AM)

I'm about to begin iron infusion treatments for my severe anemia. Has anyone been through this? Can you tell me what it's like, what to expect? I've heard it can take a long chuck of time per treatment...

Any experiences with it would be news to me. Thank you.

[size="4"] [color="#FF00FF"][/color]Hi,
I just finished six weeks of iron infusion. It took an hour to do. Once I was hooked up it took an hour to run in. It's not bad. If it burns going in they could slow it down but I just wanted to get it done with. I started to feel better within a week. But by the next week I knew I needed it again. The headaches would come back.
By the end of six weeks I was good. Now I have to go once a month for blood work and then he decides if I'll need an infusion.
Even though I know we don't absorb iron I do eat more spinach, ham & cheese egg omlettes for the iron in the spinach and ham.

It isn't bad. You'll feel so much better. Not tired anymore and you'll finally have your energy back and no headaches.
Good luck with it.
Kouklakat

Man I missed these responses! Thanks for bumping this Kouklakat! Thank you all for the info. I've never had trouble with IVs, I'm so white you could see my veins from outer space. They use me to train new nurses on! I was more concerned about the time factor than anything, but I love to read, so even that's all good. And if I can get a spa day out of it by milking my poor, pathetic plight to boss and bank, hey, win/win is what I say!!!
NOW if the hematologist would only call me! I feel like Cinderella waiting for the prince to bring my slipper!

Should be this week neighbors! Quick, sacrifice something to the gods for me, would ya?

Thanks my peeps. You really come through in the clutch every time.

Good luck Sandi. I will be thinking of you this week. Can't wait to hear your take on the procedure!

I'm only hoping to get the appointment this week, not the actual treatment! Things seem to move more slowly medically speaking. I've been working on this for almost a year now....waiting for call backs and appointments! sheeesh

I had a problem with anemia where I was dying, this was 4 years after WLS, I called the Dr’s at where I had my Surgery but I was told that it was not due to the Surgery. I know better now. I was dying and of course the Dr’s in the town I was living had no clue that WLS causes anemia. So, I had all kinds of test, to see where the blood was going. I had a bone marrow test and that is what showed that I had no RED BLOOD CELLS AND NO IRON in my bone marrow! So I got an Iron infusion and I got better with time it took a long time to heal from almost dying. I am learning so much from this web site, some of it scares me and most of it inspired me. Sandi how anemic are you?

Thank you for asking, Azuquita! I still have NOT HEARD from the hematologist..grrrr.... Here are my numbers, maybe you can tell me how anemic I am. My doctors are not really that worried, but want to stop this. I have uterine fibroids that make my monthly menses very heavy and that's why I'm losing my iron.

WBC=3.9 (norm is 4-11)
Iron Saturation = 4 (15-50 is norm)
Iron =16 ( norm is 35-150)
Carnitine = 17 (norm is 25-58) function of B1
Serum Iron =16 (norm is 40-175)

Ok, I don't know which of these numbers you find significance in--that's why I included them all. Every doc I talk to is interested in a different one. My B12 is really high. Everything else is normal.

What do you think?

How weird this is...It doesn't show that I responded to this thread! I feel like a ghost!

How low does your iron level need to be in order to qualify for iron infusions? My hematacrit is 26 and my hemaglobin is 8. I started taking iron pills today and hopefully that will get me up to speed.

Hi Maisy...I started getting infusions when I hit 7, long before that I tried the iron pills and they just didn't cut it. After my infusion I was up to 12.2. What a difference a few numbers make!
Deb