Comments on: Iron Infusion #3 – Allergic Reaction

By: Traci

Traci — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:28:48 +0000

I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this Elise. I agree, I wouldn’t be comfortable without the Benedryl either. The Benedryl is used to counteract any potential allergic side effects. Although I do believe feeling flu-like is common after an iron infusion, if you do develop an allergic reaction, the next time would be when symptoms appear.

Have you tried liquid iron – that you drink? I’m doing that now, so far – so good. Hoping it holds my levels up where they need to be.

By: Elise

Elise — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:45:30 +0000

Had infed iron infusion today. I just feel flu like. Ended up here after blood transfusion a couple days ago due to menses hemmorhage…an ongoing problem and have had 2 procedures to try to correct. Did not love the infusion, but hopefully the flu like symptoms will go away. Nurse said next time they would not use benadryl and I am not comfortable with that. This is not the worst, but it is not how I expected to feel.

By: Traci

Traci — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:46:00 +0000

I’ve never heard of that before either – but iron infusions seem to be something many are allergic to.

By: Traci

Traci — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:45:19 +0000

It’s possible it was a reaction. I wouldn’t completely rule it out. I had a rash after one of my infusions, and it started about 2 days later, if I’m remembering correctly.

By: Renee

Renee — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:30:12 +0000

Shannon, I had my first iron IV on a Wednesday. The nurses told me that any side affects would occur within 24 hours, most of which would occur immediately. On Sunday I began to have a very red rash, like solid sunburn, which ultimatley peeled like sunburn in the groin area. Also, my palms have tiny bumps and are extremely itchy. When I contacted the hospital the nurse checked with the pharmasist and they said that it was highly unlikely this was due to the iron infusion since it started appearing 4 days later, adding that most alergic reactions occur on the stomach or back, not the groin. Now that I’ve read many of these messages, I am sure that it was a side affect. I will contact the hemotologist and find out what type of iron infusion they used, so I know better for next time.

By: DACOSTA

DACOSTA — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:00:28 +0000

I am 5yr post op gastric bypass, for the past year i have been fight fatigue, heart palpations, stomach bloating. Went to pcp did blood work iron was extremely low and vitamin D also below charts. After months of oral iron pill, levels stayed the same. So started Iron Infusion 2 wks ago the first time i was ok but this time my teeth started to hurt and sensitive to hot and cold, i never had that before.

By: Traci

Traci — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:39:50 +0000

Hi Eugenia and Shannon. Thank you for your comments.

Since I too am allergic to at least 3 forms of infusable iron, I’m no longer able to receive infusions.

What I’m currently taking (and for now, at least, does seem to be working) is liquid iron by mouth. I had not tried liquid iron previously, only chewables. I needed infusions to quickly bring up my iron levels, and I’m hoping/praying that liquid iron will maintain my iron levels.I’m taking Floradix Iron (http://www.tripleclicks.com/detail.php?item=1025/10451908/), plus their liquid multivitamin and their liquid calcium + Vit. D – in addition to protein shakes and a few other vitamin supplements & weekly B12 shots.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:52:14 +0000

I too am nearly 5 years pot op gastric bypass. Can not take oral iron. Now am anemic and very iron deficent. I recently had an Infed infusion. The infusion itself went well but shortly after my hands and other areas blistered and have been peeling for the past 3 weeks. A week after ny axillafy nodes were inflammed and swollen and my gums have been bleeding ever since the infusion (normally very healthy). I am an RN and wondering if anyone has had similar side effects

By: Eugenia Chiles

Eugenia Chiles — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:46:21 +0000

This will be my first time to get iron infusion. They don’t know why I have no blood. Just said this would take care of it this time. Is it normal for them to do this without finding the problem? They done a bone marrow biopsy and still don’t know.

By: Harold C. Medlin

Harold C. Medlin — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:09:14 +0000

Two days ago I had my second iron infusion and it was tough. The first time I had one, the doctor had prescribed a lesser dose to see how I would react to it. My only problem then was an itchy feeling that was controlled by an antihistamine. The next day I felt tired but it a couple of weeks that stuff kicked in and, man, did I feel good.
About two months later I had the second infusion with an increased dosage. Half way through, the itching started and this time it was not as controlled by the antihistamine, The drip was stopped and I only got about half of the amount prescribed.
I was about an hour away from home and my wife drove me home (thank goodness) and I slept all the way and was completely exausted. I went immeditely to bed and slept 12 hours and was still as weak as water when I got up. This morning I was some better but tried to do some light work but in a couple of hours I was back in bed again.
They say that that next time they will use a different type of iron and pump me up with antihistamine before we start.
The need for all this was because of intestinal bleeding that followed a colonoscope and the removal of several large pollops.
Next week I go back for another colonoscope and all the bleeder will be cauterized.
Getting old is certainly no fun but it beats the other alternative.