Comments on: Iron Infusion #3 – Allergic Reaction

By: Amanda Taylor

Amanda Taylor — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:30:16 +0000

I am so glad I ran across your web site. I had gastric bypass surgery over 9 years ago. I have had anemia and it had gotten really bad when I was pregnant with my two kids. At that time iron supplements seemed to help it rise a bit and I was OK until recently. My immune system seemed to really suffer… I am getting sick with every cold my kids would get. I went to the doctor and my iron was really really low. She sent me to a hemotologist. I had all the symptoms of anemia. cold, dip nail, dizziness,etc. They took my blood work and my iron was under a 4. Yesterday I had my first transfusion with Venofer. The infusion seemed to go fine. They gave me a benodryl and tylenol beforehand and I mostly slept through it. About 5 hours later when I got home I started to feel bad… headache and blah.Then the fever hit and I had the chills. I had a heating blanket on me and just felt SO cold. My arm where they gave me the infusion really hurt as well and was swollen. After suffering with this for an hour, I called my mom (A nurse) and she thought I might be having an allergic reaction. I took some benodryl and fell asleep. Awaking this morning, I feel somewhat better. No longer a fever but my head is still hurting. I took some tylenol but I am scheduled for another transfusion Friday and really nervous about it. I do not want it to get worse the second time around like it did for you.

By: Traci

Traci — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:52:45 +0000

Ugh Sonya! A portacath! Wow – bummer. Praying your levels hold.

What iron supplement are you taking? We all need to be taking some type of iron supplement, in addition to our other supplements. I am currently taking Vitalady Tender Iron (60mg) with Vitamin C (400mg) Capsules, 400/btl. They also have this in a wafer that dissolves in your mouth. I personally take two per day, at two different times. Another option is to try a liquid iron.

By: Sonya Griffey

Sonya Griffey — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 08:40:33 +0000

I had GB in 2004, baby born in 2007, after her birth my Feritin was a 2, of course pills didn’t work, but they tried them anyway. I ended up getting IV infusion twice a week for two months,because my levels would not go up. During that time my veins decided to collapse so they had a portacath implanted into my chest for access. I have not had therapy in about 1 year now, so I am grateful that the IV therapy has lasted. I did end up with two follow up sessions shortly after Dr. decided that my levels were ok, only because some of my other blood work came back still out of whack. I am now 16 weeks pregnant and my levels are holding as so far, but I have been warned that they could drop at any given time.

By: Traci

Traci — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 22:51:53 +0000

I’m so sorry you’re having to go through all this Jennifer. {{{{hugs}}}

By: jennifer

jennifer — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 15:03:56 +0000

7yrs after the biggest mistake I have ever made, a gastric by pass! I am in a huge pickle between life and death. Let me explain. 2 years after the surgery I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia.I went through 17 weeks is iron infusions but I was allgeric to the iron so they used steroids and claritin for the reactions.see I also am allergic to benadryl.but they figured it out and my iron levels went up.then I became pregnant and me and my baby were near death due to low iron so I had a blood transfusion as a last resort.in 2009 I became very sick and had surgery again they did a iron infusion for 8 hours, and I was okay along with the steroids. And clarartin. A few months later I began to get sick again with lots of testing and severe pain and despair. I was diagnoised With lupus,fibromyalgia,and RA.it was astonishing to be so healthy when I was obese. Now its 2011 and I recently was diagnosed with malbasortion disease.I know when does it end, never I am currently. Awaiting another blood transfusion due to the fact that they have tried ever type of iron infusion. And I am highly allergic. To them all. My only hope of servival is to have blood transfusion The rest of my life when my levels get low.it is a struggle everyday to stay healthy .

By: Ginger

Ginger — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 18:00:41 +0000

HI all I just started with a low count it wen from34 down to 7.I am due to go for my first infusion this saterday & after reading this it does not make me a happy camper.Being a Gastric By Pass patient it will be (4) years thisOctober Halloween.Now I have a severe iron problem just like all of you.I am so so tired,my heart is having palptations,rashes & feeling like I am going to faint.I lost 186 lbs & have been so happy until I feel like crap.I also started loosing my hair again.Anyone else having these issues along with the iron
I am sincerly sorry about the reactions you are havin as well as feeling just plain lousy.I wish there was
something I could do something to make you feel better.All I can say is your not alone I am with you.Since this alos my appitite is has gone to nothing I could care if I eat anything.Anyone else?
I would greatly apreciate it if anyone else can share.
Because of this count dropping so low I am being made to have a colononoscopy & endoscopy,This is to make sure do not have a bleed any where I live near Boston have a great Hemetalogist because I have a disease caused Von Willibrands, my blood does not clot.I wish everyone the best & let’s keep each other up to date.
Hugs,Ginger

By: Kathy

Kathy — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:45:41 +0000

Gee!!! I am 8 yrs. out from gastric by-pass and have had many, many kidney stones, and problems with iron levels being extremely low…had first infusion in June and go back tomorrow for round 2. Now I am very nervous about it! I could not believe I did not have a reaction the first time. I am so alergic to everything it seems. So wondering if round 2 will be different…I also give myself B-12 injections weekly.
Even thou I am having these problems I would still have gastric by-pass. I hated being so overweight! Some of my meds. have caused me to gain about 25 pounds and I am trying to loose that weight, but I am happy now and can do so much more…I am sorry all of you are having these problems, but it is nice to know it is not just me! Hope all goes well tomorrow…we will see…thanks for all the info!!! I will let you know how it goes… Kathy

By: OLivette

OLivette — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 01:23:31 +0000

I just had my 3rd iron infusion today, after the first one I came home, laid down and waited for the side effects. There was none. The second one, I felt out of it on the second day, kind of tired and just not feeling good. Today, just for a second midway through the infusion, I felt faint, didn’t last long and I have felt fine since (finished about 4 hrs ago). I am 55 yrs. old and suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding because of Fibroids. I have started having some symtons of menopause. My Gyn is trying to wait it out without having a hysterectomy, because once I go through menopause the Fibroids will shrink up and go away. I’m all for that. The infusion has really helped with the anemia. The treatments has really helped me feel so much better than before. The anemia was causing me to have palpations, shortness of breath, chest pains, hair loss, and just plan tired. I couldn’t walk up a short flight of stairs without huffing and puffing. Forget trying to do any exercise. So far I haven’t had a cycle for about 7 weeks. It was normal for me to have one every 21 days for about 34 four years. Only missed two periods in my life and they both have a name. (one boy and one girl).
It’s been fun chatting, I pray all of you will get well soon.

Miss Vette

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:43:36 +0000

Traci-

I have been taking liquid iron Ferrous Sulfate Elixir by Hi- Tech Pharmacal. 1 teaspoon is 44 mg of iron, it tastes wicked and is starting to stain my teeth.The doc has me taking 3 tablespoons a day. Does the Floradix taste horrible & stain teeth?

By: Traci

Traci — Mon, 30 May 2011 22:49:08 +0000

Shawn
So sorry to hear you had a reaction to the iron infusion. It’s actually very common to not have a reaction at the first infusion, but to have one second or subsequent infusions – and from my own experience, and from what I hear from others – each subsequent infusion can cause increasingly worse reactions.

There are other types of infusable iron, aside form infed. So you could try one of those – and with your history, they will be prepared for any signs of reaction.

Liquid iron supplements, honestly are the best. For us, as gastric bypass post-ops, they offer us the best absorption ability possible.

Good luck to you and let me know what you decide and how it goes for you.

Traci