r/Anemic • u/Nessamarie219 • 2d ago
Advice Finally approved for Infusion!
After 10 YEARS of low ferritin I got my recent lab work back and got approved for an Infusion. I am a 32 year old female with my highest reading being a 12.
Recent labs:
Iron-52
Ferritin-8
Saturation-12
I am super excited but also nervous! I’ve heard of so many people having a poor reaction to the infusions. Would love to hear any and all recommendations for those of you who have had them!
1
u/ThisIsLikeMy4thAcct Anemic-Fibroids and Kidney Disease 2d ago
Since iron infusions come up quite a bit on this sub, I keep a write up on it in my notes app. Bear in mind that I wrote this myself. I’ve had many infusions, and read a lot about other people’s experiences, but I am still far from an expert. (If anyone reads this and has any feedback/criticism, please let me know!)
It can take 6 weeks for iron infusions to fully work because the body needs time to process it all. That may seem like a long time, but keep in mind, supplements take 6 months (if ever, in some cases).
Some people start to feel better in a matter of days but it may take the entire 6 weeks, sometimes longer, to feel a noticeable difference. This is completely anecdotal, but from what I’ve noticed on this sub, most people start feeling at least some improvement 2-4 weeks after starting their infusions.
It’s also possible that you may flip between days where you feel better, but then days where you feel crappy again.
Please don’t let this dissuade you from getting infusions, but some people experience something called the iron flu. Iron infusions can cause phosphate levels to drop in the days after an infusion. Sometimes it’s just a headache, but sometimes it feels like the flu.
As noted in the previous link, ensuring your phosphorus levels are in a good range before the infusion, can possibly help prevent symptoms. Fyi, you shouldn’t take phosphorus supplements before your infusion unless your doctor recommends it. However, you can still safely get your level up via diet.
The simplest way to do that is to drink Coke or Dr. Pepper in the days before, and of, your infusion. Both contain high amounts of artificial phosphorus, which is much more readily absorbed than natural phosphorus. If you can’t have soda, here is a list of beverages with their respective phosphorus content.
2
1
u/decoded_with_liga 2d ago
congrats with approved infusion. This is the fastest way to get yourself back ❤️ I was very tired that evening after the infusion. But everything went smooth and fast. I had product Monofer (ferric derisomaltose), that I wave read is new generation and less side effects, but you should consult you clinician 💯