Has anyone had an iron infusion? How did it go? The iron tablets make me super constipated and the liquid makes me nauseas so thinking of going for the injection... but being me, I googled and read some pretty nasty horror stories lol

the only people I know who've had those can't really absorb oral iron - and their iron and ferritin levels get so low that their doctors prescribe infusions. All I know is they feel a lot better afterwards.

you might want to try a different kind of iron - maybe they all aren't as constipating (although I know iron, in general, is - it's one of the reasons (besides high protein diet and calcium supplements) that most of us deal with constipation). Supposedly carbonyl iron and heme iron aren't as bad as some of the other versions...

12 hours ago, Kikikiki said:

Has anyone had an Iron infusion? How did it go? The iron tablets make me super constipated and the liquid makes me nauseas so thinking of going for the injection... but being me, I googled and read some pretty nasty horror stories lol

I would do anything to avoid an injection. I guess I'm out of the loop as I thought an Iron infusion is an IV affair. At any rate, I avoid such thing as they leave me with a huge bruise. No thanks, if I can avoid it.

Regular iron plugs me right up. Not a desirable result.

My Doc recommends Slow-FE. Slow-FE is a time released iron, so gentle on the stomach and bowels, no constipation issues. In spite of the fact that Slow-FE is time released, it works well enough to keep my iron up.

Good luck,

Tek

26 minutes ago, The Greater Fool said:

I would do anything to avoid an injection. I guess I'm out of the loop as I thought an Iron infusion is an IV affair.

d

yes - infusions (regardless of the type of infusion) are IV affairs for sure. I think it takes a few hours to get an iron infusion.

Yes, try different types of iron, as some are better than others. I have been using Iron bisglycinate chelate - the one I use is a Solgar product under the name of Gentle Iron. I only use it every other day for maintenance, but a few years ago when my iron was in the tank after a bleed I used it twice a day without any ill effect and that brought my levels back up to normal in a few months, and then I backed off.

I've had iron infusions several times back in the day when I had the worst periods. I had no adverse reactions but I was in the hospital each time anyway for severe anemia, etc. Slow fe works really well.

3 hours ago, The Greater Fool said:

I would do anything to avoid an injection. I guess I'm out of the loop as I thought an Iron infusion is an IV affair. At any rate, I avoid such thing as they leave me with a huge bruise. No thanks, if I can avoid it.

Regular iron plugs me right up. Not a desirable result.

My Doc recommends Slow-FE. Slow-FE is a time released iron, so gentle on the stomach and bowels, no constipation issues. In spite of the fact that Slow-FE is time released, it works well enough to keep my iron up.

Good luck,

Tek

I just googled these, and I don’t think I can get them here is Australia... but I’ll let my dr know as we might have something like it but named different...

1 hour ago, Zoomzoom said:

I've had Iron infusions several times back in the day when I had the worst periods. I had no adverse reactions but I was in the hospital each time anyway for severe anemia, etc. Slow fe works really well.

Oh wow! So how long did the injections Keep your iron levels up if you needed several? I don’t think I can get slow fe here in Australia I just tried to google

8 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

the only people I know who've had those can't really absorb oral Iron - and their iron and ferritin levels get so low that their doctors prescribe infusions. All I know is they feel a lot better afterwards.

you might want to try a different kind of iron - maybe they all aren't as constipating (although I know iron, in general, is - it's one of the reasons (besides high Protein diet and Calcium supplements) that most of us deal with constipation). Supposedly carbonyl iron and heme iron aren't as bad as some of the other versions...

My dr told me to do it but I haven’t been taking regular iron supplements either because of the side effects... I eat a lot of red meat - well not a lot I guess because of the size of my tummy lol but I didn’t think my iron would be so low... I might ask dr to let me k ow of other iron supplements as I only know of the 2 I’ve tried

3 hours ago, RickM said:

Yes, try different types of Iron, as some are better than others. I have been using Iron bisglycinate chelate - the one I use is a Solgar product under the name of Gentle Iron. I only use it every other day for maintenance, but a few years ago when my iron was in the tank after a bleed I used it twice a day without any ill effect and that brought my levels back up to normal in a few months, and then I backed off.

Oh ok! Will look into that... I only have ever been given the tablet I think it’s called Ferro C or the liquid called Maltofor...

I had 7 IV infusions for anemia. They weren’t bad. Worst part was getting the IV in cause I have bad veins. They took about half an hour, give it take. The arm getting the infusion would get really cold, which was weird. And I swear I weighed heavier afterward. I understand it depends on the type of iron. The one I got rarely caused issues. The one they used to use - everyone had a reaction.

Also, I do take prescription iron pills now. I don’t have any issues with constipation and I’ve been on them since June. I take folate and ferrous something.

I had to get iron while in the hospital post op after my RNY revision because I was so anemic. Took about 2 or so hours for the infusion. If you’re super sensitive to smells you might be able to smell the iron through the bag.... or from my IV infiltrating. Not sure which. ?‍♀️

I had many iron infusions when I was suffering from fibroids. I didn't absorb oral iron well and the infusions were amazingly helpful for me. For one thing, they work quickly. By the next day I would be feeling much better. A few times my hemoglobin dropped so drastically that I had to have transfusions and after that my hematologist put me on a regular schedule of infusions until I had my fibroids treated. Once I started getting iron infusions I didn't have to have any more transfusions, which was great.

I’m going for my first infusion next week. My iron was low even prior to surgery but now they’re even more concerned.

For those who are having constipation probs with taking the iron pills, try out 150 Ferrimin 150 from Dialyvite- it has a built in stool softener- works great!!