Private iron infusions in the UK?
Hi all. Just looking for some advice, especially if you’re in the UK.
Essentially, I had asymptomatic anaemia from inflammatory bowel disease for around two years, and got an infusion that boosted everything a few years ago. Now everything has dropped again and I unfortunately have symptoms this time round (think it’s because my body got used to iron and is now angry that there’s none left lol), to the point that they’re a real pain and are massively limiting my life. After 3 successive blood tests showed iron deficiency, my GP referred me for an infusion (active disease means that I can’t absorb oral iron). My hospital has arranged this infusion for the end of June, even though my GP rang them three times to try to get it moved as soon as possible.
My life is so much worse than it used to be and I feel absolutely vile. My vision is too bad for me to even read or go for a run without feeling dizzy. I’m getting all these weird cravings, and I can’t walk and talk without feeling like I’m about to suffocate. I’m in a position where I don’t have to work and don‘t have too many responsibilities at the moment, which is great, but I’m about to restart full-time education again and I’m really worried about going into it with all of this still not sorted.
I’m thinking about maybe just saying sod it and paying for an infusion at a private clinic or hospital. Has anyone had any luck with this before? Do I go see a haemotologist, a GP, a gastroenterologist?? I have functional iron deficiency if that changes anything, so my haemoglobin is low-normal. I honestly have no clue what to do, I just want my life back. Would love to hear other people’s success stories if they have any. :)