u/Luckyond4321

I was extremely nervous after reading all the horror stories on Reddit about people have serious reactions to their iron infusions. I have a ton of health problems and typically I have bad luck so I was almost certain I’d have some sort of not so fun reaction. I even kept reading stories while they were using the ultrasound to get an IV in! But I wanted to post that I did not have any reaction. I’m unsure of the name that I’m doing but it’s only a 15 minute long one, if that helps, and sounded like it starts with a “f”?

However, I haven’t noticed any positive effects yet, but my hematologist said it could take up to 6-8 weeks AFTER my final infusion, which is next week. (We are trying two infusions for 15 minutes each and going to test my levels again in the near future and see if we need to do more etc.)

So I just wanted to post this to let others know that it’s okay to be nervous but please know that it WILL be all okay! They literally have every single thing they could possibly need for any kind of reaction, right there with them (that brought me some peace), and if you do there are other types you can try too. Lastly, please…don’t go reading horror stories. Yes, educate yourself but once aware and educated…don’t continue down the rabbit hole!

TMI:

I had my first infusion about 4 hours ago. It started with a F and it was only 15 mins long and I only do two of them every few months.

Does anyone know if diarrhea 4 hours after is a side effect from the iron? Because I was fine before going in and my stomach hurts pretty bad.

Is this anything to be alarmed about or is this something that’s normal and will pass (no pun intended)!

I am 62 days sober and it just doesn’t feel long at all, it feels like it’s been several months of withdrawing, crying, fighting, and surviving. And I get kind of mad when I look at my sober app and see it’s “only been” 62 days. I know that can be a lot but for some reason why does it not feel like enough for me? I’ve been trying so hard but I feel like everything I’m doing is not enough.

I feel like I’m not exercising enough, I’m not drinking enough water or eating healthy enough, I’m not being social at all (except for going to my sister’s house a few times a week, but she has no clue I relapsed), and I haven’t been practicing anything in my SMART Recovery so I feel like I’m a fake.

Can someone talk some sense into me and help guide me before I end up self sabotaging or something stupid? I just feel numb yet also extra emotional, if that makes any sense. I’m just struggling today and need a friend, I don’t have any. Thanks everyone.

I am anemic and have tried OTC liquid and pill form iron and they make me extremely nauseous (with and without food) and I vomit sometimes. My endocrinologist told me I need weekly iron infusions so he referred me to a hematologist. My appointment isn’t until June 2nd but I am struggling so bad. I already have a ton of health issues but I’m dealing mostly with extreme fatigue, dizziness, and my heart racing so fast I feel like I could have a heart attack.

I’ve been drinking water and pedialite and trying to eat food with iron but one of my health problems is that I had pancreatic cancer so had my pancreas removed, my spleen, gallbladder, my small intestine, some of my stomach, and some of my liver. Removing your entire pancreas and small intestine affects how you digest food and your small intestine absorbs nutrients, vitamins etc. so even eating food with iron and taking vitamins and so on, I don’t absorb much of it at all. That’s another reason we are doing the infusions.

But I guess I am posting to ask if anyone has been in a situation somewhat similar to mine? Or has anyone found something that can help my symptoms to hold me over until they actually start the infusions? And lastly, what can I expect at the infusions? How long until I feel some improvement? Is it a several hour long process each week?

Thank you all, sorry for rambling. I appreciate your help!

If this helps, I put a screenshot of my recent lab results in the comment section. I am also a type one diabetic, if that even matters at all. Thanks again!