Iron Infusion

[micheller]

I have to get an iron infusion next week. Has anyone had one? The dr said there isn't side effects unless there's an allergic reaction. I'm curious if anyone has had one and what the side effects were and how long it took to feel better?

[Steph555]

I had a series of them a couple of years ago and had no problem with them. The worst part for me was just getting the IV started since I am a tough stick. Just try and make sure to do plenty of salt and water in advance so your veins are nice and plump!

I didn't get the huge burst in energy that I had hoped might come with IV iron, but my labs did respond appropriately and I have held acceptable levels for a couple of years now.

Good luck!

[micheller]

That is great to know! He said I might have to get it repeated, hoping not. I've read some really good and awful things about it.

[arizona girl]

I had 3 fairly close together infusions a few years ago. I'm a hard stick to so that was the worst part. I tolerated it fine and it raised by blood levels back to norm. I had so much else going on I don't know if I felt better or not.

They should give you iv or oral benedryl with it to help prevent a reaction to it. Make sure you get that. It will give you a nice little nap too, while waiting for the infusion to finish.

Really no worries, just make sure they are prepared to handle a reaction and what they will do for you.

[micheller]

He said I will get benadryl and hydrocortisone in my iv before I get the iron. Do you remember what kind you got? He said he's giving me the iron dextran but I've read a lot of people have trouble with that kind.