Felicia S.
I had my first iron infusion on Thursday! :)
Oct 23, 2009
It took longer than I anticipated, but it was a breeze! I had no problems whatsoever! I'm hopeful that these infusions will help my iron and ferritin increase and that I will start having more energy.My hematologist didn't want to do the longer infusions like InFed as she feels there are too many negative side effects. Instead she started me on Venofer. I have to have 3 infusions and then get my blood rechecked. She thinks I will need a total of 5 or 6 infusions.
For those of you who are wondering, here is what getting the infusion was like:
I went into a room that had a bunch of comfy recliners in it. Each recliner had their own TV with a set of headphones. They brought me a heated blanket (it was heavenly!) and a pillow. They then hooked me up to an IV. I asked her to use my outer forearm as I do not (actually hate) like IVs in the back of my hand. I barely felt the IV go in AT ALL. Too cool. Then she started a bag of Benadryl. They give you the Benadryl just in case you should have an allergic reaction to the iron. She then gave me one Extra Strength Tylenol. I'm not sure why. Maybe some people experience pain with iron infusions--I didn't have any pain at all. After about 20 or 30 minutes, they started the iron into my IV. It is a dark colored fluid...brownish green looking. It was weird watching it go into my arm. It reminded me of rusty water. I had no pain or itching. I guess some people get flushed from the iron, but I didn't. The iron took about 30 minutes to finish infusing. After that they turned off my IV but had me sit in the recliner for an additional hour to make sure I didn't have any adverse reactions. They did this because it was my first time. Then they unhooked me and let me go--I had to go to work! :) I was a little tired because of the Benadryl, but the worst of that had worn off by that time.
So, if you have to get an iron infusion, it is truly no big deal!
Felicia
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About Me
Lincoln, NE
Location
23.2
BMI
Surgery
03/30/2009
Surgery Date
Aug 09, 2008
Member Since
