So a few months later, my levels were low again and this time we use Venofer, which is given once per week over 5 weeks, instead of in one 5 hour dose like Infed. I did not notice any side effects during my first round of infusions with Venofer, which ended in June 2008.

Now here it is January 2009 and I’m needing an infusion once again. Go in last week and get my first of five Venofer and for three days felt ‘blah’: tired, ran a slight fever and generally felt unwell. I did not actually connect it to the infusion at all – because so much flu is going around, thought I was getting sick with a virus.

Fast forward to yesterday. I go in for my second round of Venofer and about halfway through the dose, started feeling ‘blah’ again: as in tired, weak, then started getting a headache, dizzy and really feeling bad. My arm was hurting where the infusion was going in. I mentioned that I didn’t feel well and what had happened last week – more as a side comment; but when she double-checked possible side-effects for Venofer initially – malaise was one. Mmmm? So she checks my blood pressure and it was way up 142/115. It was only 115/80 when I got there. She checked further into allergic reactions and I had nearly every one, except anaphalactic shock!

By the time we put all this together, my infusion was done (they only take 30 minutes). She got the IV out right away, called my doctor and he ordered steroids and tons of bloodwork. They kept me for a bit and I then went home.

We will wait on the bloodwork and I will converse with my doctor before I have any more infusions. I believe there is only Ferrilicit left to use – that’s pretty much it, as I believe most others are generics of the name brands.

I’ve read that many continue with the iron infusions, with side effects, and just take the steroids and Benedryl IV to counteract those. Not sure I’m comfortable doing that, as my symptoms seem to get progressively worse each time.

Unfortunately as a gastric bypass post-op, we especially have a nearly impossible time absorbing iron. The upper part of the small intestine is where the majority of iron is absborbed by the body – we no longer have that. So it’s difficult for us to absorb what we need with the short length of small intestine we have left. I’m 4.5 years post-op and have been battling this for about 1.5 years; even though I took iron supplements from day one after my surgery. It just isn’t enough.

If you are a gastric bypass post-op that had a malabsorptive procedure, I’d be very intersted to hear how your bloodwork is coming out and in particular what your iron and ferritin levels are and what supplements you’re taking. Getting the right form and amount of nutritional supplements is truly an art form!

Please post your comments or your experiences below.

I dozed for a short time, because of the Benedryl, but then a nice lady came in for her infusion, so I visited with her a bit and talked with the nurse some tending to me and watched some TV.  The time went by faster than you would think.   I left the hospital around 2:40 pm.

The nurse said it could take a day or two before I would notice any difference in how I felt.  Considering that I did not sleep well last night, I’m not feeling a huge surge of energy this morning, but I think I’m feeling better than I otherwise would have.  So I guess that’s something.  I’m hoping tomorrow morning to wake up feeling much more energized. 

Monday morning I’ll be calling my doctor to find out what we do next:  I’m assuming we will need to do some blood work this week (?) to check to see if this one infusion brought my blood levels up to normal.   I’ve heard that many hematologists tell WLS post-ops not to take iron supplements after an infusion, but if I do not, then how can I hope to maintain my iron levels, without needing to do another infusion, if I don’t take supplements?!  So I need to do some research on that and talk to others a little more knowledgeable about that than I am.    While the infusion experience was not a bad one, I would prefer not to have to do this on a regular basis if I can avoid it.