Re: Tired & Anemic

[Guest guest]

I just celebrated my one year anniversary. I've lost more weight than I

expected and I'm down to 115 pounds. Not bad, but afraid I won't stop losing.

Very tired and still low low iron. I've been taking iron supplements to no

avail. Dr. Rutledge mentioned IV iron and I was wondering if anyone else has

had to do this? If so, what's the procedure? How did you feel. How often,

etc, etc.

Any response would be great.

Kim in KC

[Guest guest]

Kim, my blood tests have all been normal. But my daughter Drema (MGB 8/4/00) as

been having iron infusions recently. She said they're not bad at all. If V

reads this, she too can chime in. From what she and my daughter say, you feel

better right away and it takes about two hours. You see an oncologist and that's

who takes care of it. My daughter goes to the OPIS unit at our hospital and is

there about two hours. She also bets B-12 shots which a nurse friend gives her.

I too was worried about anemia but apparently the solution is not all that bad.

Flo Snowbirding in FL

MGB 5/31/00

304/167

[Guest guest]

I had my first iron infusion last month and I can't imagine ANY downside. It

took two hours plus about an hour to test for allergic reaction etc. It is

a mineral, not a blood product and given to you by IV, usually at a cancer

center. Within 24 hours, I felt MUCH better, that has tapered off a bit and

I have a follow up on Tuesday. I am hoping that he will do another and get

me into a higher range instead of just the bare minimum I am at now. I could

not take enough supplemental iron to bring me back up without KILLING my

stomach...7 or 8 times a night to the bathroom...My insurance will cover it,

if that were an issue I can imagine using it as a last resort, but it was

sure worth it to me. I couldn't imagine feeling like I felt for 3 or 4

months while I tried to build it back up. The doc said some patients are

then able to maintain on multi vits with iron once back up and some have

bodies that won't absorb the iron and will need infusions for a long time or

forever. He says rarely does he see the need for it more than 4 times a year

for wls patients, but I do know of one mgber with another condition that

contributes to her problems that has an infusion every week. I don't think

that is typical at all.

For me it was a great decision.

V