Has anyone had an iron infusion/injection and did you feel the benefits from this straight away

[Cooperdog60]

Well after seeing the Nephrologist yesterday they have said that I am anaemic and have to have iron infusion/injection not sure which now. I asked if it was related to my sore tongue (diagnosed as Geographic Tongue 6 months ago) and she said it was. Hopefully this will go away when I have had the iron infusion. My Gfr is 16 and all other tests seem ok at the moment. Still waiting tho for the next visit to Transplant Team for evaluation etc. I have also been given Sodium Bicarbonate to take twice daily.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Hi Cooperdog,

I was anemic but only had to take OTC iron tablets. It took about a month to feel better and have more energy but there were a lot of other things I was doing like diet change that also helped. I was short of breath and that has completely gone away and that was pretty quick after I started the tablets.

[Cooperdog60 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thank you Bassetmommer, Im not short of breath but do feel fatigued a lot of the time. After seeing the Dietician on Tuesday he said I was eating all the right things so I was pleased about that. Hope you are well

Sandra

[Bond-007 in reply to Bassetmommer]

What was the diet change? Thank you.

[Ladybug_05]

Hello! After my iron infusion I began to feel a little better after a few hours. I only had one infusion to boost my numbers, but that one infusion definitely made me feel better temporarily energy-wise.

[Cooperdog60 in reply to Ladybug_05]

Thank you for taking the time to reply to me Ladybug. Im glad you felt better after the iron infusion. I hope it gives me more energy too. Fantastic news too that your new kidney has no sign of rejection. It sounds like you have been through the mill but I hope you start to feel better each day. Take Care and best wishes - Sandra

[Bond-007 in reply to Ladybug_05]

Iv iron infusion is so effective for significant anemia that I feel not doing it is tantamount to negligence.

[steve680]

I've had one iron infusion, but didn't really notice a difference.

[Cooperdog60]

Thank you for your reply steve680, sorry you didn't notice a difference. Im keeping my fingers crossed and hopefully it will make a difference. Hope you are keeping well - take care

[Philipjm]

Hi, I had an iron infusion 3years ago when on PD, didn’t notice any difference. I am now on HHD and give myself 20mg of iron every two weeks, do not notice a difference , had an injection every 12 weeks as a tip up, do not feel any different but without it my bloods would show a need for iron.

Hope all goes well with the transplant clinic

Philip

[Cooperdog60]

Thank you Phillip, Hopefully I will begin to feel at least a bit less tired, I shall see after the infusion. Everything is still ongoing with the Transplant Clinic and my gfr is 16 kidneys stable at the moment, so they aren't rushing. Hope you are well - Sandra

[5157]

I am stage 4 and had my first iron infusion yesterday. I was told that it takes 2 weeks before I would feel any difference. I may have to get more if my count does not go up. I will post when I feel it's working.

[Cooperdog60]

Thank you so much and yes please post and let us know if it works. Good luck.

[Nichola35]

Hello! I’m 10 days post iron infusion and am yet to feel the benefit. That said, my consultant did advise that it could take up to a month to feel any better.

Wishing you all the best with your infusion. Really hope you feel a benefit!

[Cooperdog60]

Thank you for your reply Nichola, and for your best wishes. I hope you start to feel the benefits soon - Sandra

[JimVanHorn]

My hemoglobin level was down to 9.6 when they started Iron infusions. I had 5 infusions over a 3 month period. They made my iron go up much fast than the tablets did, but my hemoglobin level was below 10. The kidneys regulate how many Red Blood Cells are in your blood stream. When the number is low a hormone is given out called Erythropoietin. This hormone causes your RBC's to mature and release into the blood stream. They make a synthetic hormone (several on the market now) called Procrit, Retacrit, Aranesp. and Epogen. To start Procrit you need the iron infusions so there is plenty of iron in your blood. I get 20,000 Units of Procrit in a shot every 3 or 4 weeks. My hemoglobin level is 11.3 now. If your HGB level goes above 13.6 from these hormone drugs it can cause a stroke, so don't over do it.

[Cooperdog60 in reply to JimVanHorn]

Thankyou for your reply JimVanHorn, you have taught me something new here. Just when you think you're on top of everything, something new crops up. I suppose I will have to take each step as it comes and hopefully will benefit from it. Hope you are well - Sandra

[SN23 in reply to Cooperdog60]

Thank you for your question. I got answers for me too. Yes it can be very frustrating but I am praying that you feel better🙏🙏

[SN23 in reply to JimVanHorn]

Thank you JimVanHorn for your response to Cooperdog60. I was looking for information on Aranesp. My son was prescribed this today as his hemoglobin dropped to less than 9 and I was a bit confused about its side effects and by the number of choices (Aranesp vs Procrit for

Example). Your response has helped me with this too. Thanks so much.

[Bond-007 in reply to JimVanHorn]

Thank you for all that info. 9.6 hgb - infusion was the way to go. You have good drs. Keep them.

[JimVanHorn]

Also, your spleen kills off your RBC's that are over 4 months old. That way only healthy RBC's are circulating in your blood. So there would be hemoglobin only in your RBC's but when the spleen opens up RBC's there is a little hemoglobin in your plasma, and that makes your blood plasma have a slightly pink color. Have a great day.

[Bond-007]

What was your hemoglobin value & ferritin when they advised the infusion. You should feel rapid relief. Iron infusion is safe & effective. Will you keep me posted please? Thank you.

[RhenDutchess123]

I am on PD and they give me Iron Injections every month....they really perk me up...I can taste it in my mouth, which is weird...but I have grown to love that taste...Iron can constipate you so be hydrated and use a laxative

[Porter20]

I was also on both. There are two types of iron they give. I had a pretty severe reaction to one type. And thought I was headed to the emergency room. They switched to the other and it was fine. I also had the reaction just after having a colonoscopy. Ask about a different type of iron. Never suffer through….