IV iron therapy

April 5, 2009

I have to start IV iron therapy this Thursday and I was wondering if anybody has

gone through this who is willing to share their personal experiance with me.

I've read all the medical/statistical info and the different types of iron

products used and which is best. It's all very scientific, as always, so I was

hoping for some down to earth complex human emotion information on this before I

go. I have no problem with needles and I really have no choice at this point as

my anemia is really bad and unresponsive to supplimentation. I'm actually

surprised the doctors didn't send me for intravenious iron a lot sooner because

my levels have been dangerously low my whole life and I've taken 5x the DV of

iron to no improvement! I did read in all the medical jargon that those with

malnutrition should be monitored closely but it didn't give anything more as to

the risks or complications that may present. That concerns me more than anything

because because I don't know what could go wrong! I'm the type of person who has

to know, no matter how bad it is! On average, I get about 600 calories a day,

which is up from a few years back when I was doing 200-300 calories a day. I did

manage to get up to 800-1000 calories a day for a short time but them my

pancreatitis flared up again and I'm back down to 400-600 calories a day. This

is going on 9 years so malnutrition is a problem that I can't treat with diet

and vitamins! I've been asking for IV nurishment for years but doctors like to

wait until you have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peal and

then the hesitantly start to reach out saying " maybe I should help you... " then

yanking back their hand they say, " but then again, your not slipping yet! " I'm

going to discuss my nutrition, or lack there of, with the hematologist before

they start. Maybe he'll listen to me! His name is Dr. Hadeed, which sounds

Indian, or at least eastern! They usually tend to be better listeners and

doctors, so I'm hoping on empty!

Thanks for listening and any info that anybody has. I shared my background

relevant to this so that you can understand my situation and why I need IV

therapy. Thanks.

April 8, 2009

Dear Dreamcatcher,

I also have found it necessary to have IV iron therapy; due to ulcers ,scars in

my digestive tract and the last of 3 stomach surgeries left me with a partial

obstruction that needs to be repaired. The only problem being the Dr.s don't

know if with that removal there will be enough intestine left to put back

together. They don't seem to think that that problem should be enough to keep me

from more surgery.

If I understand your worries correctly; the problem that seems to be most

worrisome is reaction to the infusion, allergic responces of breathing,swelling

of throat or skin itching etc. My infusions take about 4 hours. Maybe less now

as I've had them for about 10 years. As my system has recovered from the anemia

and I have become stronger I have been able to begin taking oral iron, and

flaxseed and grapeseed extract and absorbing that. I started out with infusions

every 5-6 months and now am up to a year apart.

Like everyone in the group I encourage you to look at what you can do, get help

and become well. My Dr. specializes in hemotology and oncology...I began these

treatments feeling sorry for myself and my bad health; until I watched the

patients with cancer being so brave and hopeful and upbeat about their chemo

treatments.

Sorry for being so long, if I can be of more (or any) help; just ask.

Sue Kelly

--- On Sun, 4/5/09, catchadream04 <recyclednew wrote:

catchadream04 <recyclednew

IV iron therapy

Sunday, April 5, 2009, 9:34 AM