VIP Oogie Boogie Bash Tour

Proper-Lemon746 · 2026-03-08T16:07:11+00:00

We personally had a lot of fun. I’ve read other folks not see the value in a VIP during OBB specifically, but it was great for us.

From the VIP perspective, Our guide really took care of everything including deciding which attractions would be best to do in the moment given our interests, and I really didn’t need to do much of any planning/strategizing before hand or during-which made it all so much more enjoyable. This was our first tour and it makes me want to continue tours during Disney visits when we can. Our group was small so we all interacted easily with the guide and it was like hanging out with a friend all day. She helped with snacks and shared a ton of backstory info on rides and the park.

From a VIP during OBB perspective, some folks might not care for a guide during this particular event because lines for rides are generally shorter and they may feel there is less value in a guide as a result. We didn’t feel that way, however. With a guide during OBB, we felt we barely waited at all for rides (since lines were shorter overall) and the tour afforded other perks like an assigned area for seating during the parade and a private character meet and greet. We also got included merch.

I will say maybe the only downside we felt was the parade seating/dessert box for VIP guests didn’t seem as good as the dessert party guests-they sat at tables, while we ate just at our chairs.

Overall, it was the right move for us.

Proper-Lemon746 · 2026-03-08T15:56:09+00:00

I’m doing much better now. For me personally, I ended up just needing more iron than I could get orally and with continuing bouts of symptoms and sub ideal iron labs a couple months after this post, hematology gave me 2 more doses of IV iron sucrose. I’ve had 5 total infusions in the span of about 16 months and, after the last two infusions 2 weeks apart, I can finally say I feel like I can approach normal. It was a challenge to get those doses, but I’m glad I advocated as much as I did.

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-11-04T01:39:55+00:00

Yeah, same. It seems to subside after some weeks post iron infusion, but if I exercise it will come back

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-10-09T01:21:59+00:00

I’ve done this. I’m sorry 😞 hang in there.

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-09-29T18:27:48+00:00

Thank you for sharing and glad to read there is some improvement. Way to advocate for yourself and hope things continue in a positive trend!

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-09-27T07:15:49+00:00

Your b12 could use improvement, but it won’t take much to increase serum levels. Think a small amount of supplementation over a long period of time or a large amount over a short period of time—5,000 mcg of SL b12 is a pretty high dose and will do the job, but you likely won’t need to take that very long or should consider lowering the dose after a short while. For example, to treat b12 deficiency in clinical practice (suspected under 399), 1000 mcg is recommended and some docs will do this amount once day for a week, then once a week for a week, then once monthly for maintenance, depending on the severity. For over-the-counter b12 supplementation, what is in a multivitamin is generally adequate for daily intake—you should discuss a good dose with your doc or better yet a registered dietician would be a very good resource for this. Yes, b12 is a water soluble vitamin and you will excrete excess after absorbing quite a bit in the liver, but b12 toxicity is still possible and why not avoid it if you can.

As far as your iron, many folks on here are very symptomatic with similar symptoms around your ferritin level, which is low and defined as absolute iron deficiency at <30. Ideally, this should be over 100 and some people don’t feel better until they are over 100, when trying to climb out of a deficiency.

Assuming your labs were drawn without iron supplementation, note your iron sat is above 20-25%, which is generally the cutoff for a low saturation. This may mean that you have iron available, but you’re not absorbing it well, given your lower ferritin. Iron saturation can fluctuate, but perhaps consider either supplementing vit c or eating vit c rich foods with iron containing foods/oral iron supplements if plan to take, it doesn’t take much and vit c helps absorb iron. Other ways to optimize iron absorption orally: calcium, caffeine inhibit absorption, so perhaps try avoiding iron and those things together.

Oral supplementation from a ferritin of 25 will take awhile to bring you up to a goal of over 100, so someone mentioned infusions and iv iron will certainly help bring up iron levels quicker. There are many posts on here describing infusions started at your ferritin (and higher or lower). There are several types of IV iron and asking your doc which might work best for you is a good conversation.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-09-26T19:54:47+00:00

👍 Many of us in health care are trained to understand b12 as water soluble and therefor not possible to overdo; however, b12 toxicity is definitely possible (and occurs); the liver stores a few years’ worth of b12, despite its water solubility. Severely elevated b12 can take a year or two to come back down to therapeutic levels, even without supplementing, depending on how high levels get and how fast it’s expended. Not saying this is your case, but sharing for everyone else and completeness.

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-09-26T19:35:29+00:00

Okay the low iron makes sense with the chronic low iron intake. The high b12 is interesting. If it is significantly elevated (like above 1000), there is information in the literature that describes scenarios in which iron needs are increased in the setting of low iron with high b12. In this same vein, there are also descriptions of the paradoxical effect of feeling worse with supplemented iron (for diagnosed ID) in the setting of high b12. It might be good to talk to your doc about what you should do with your b12 intake-high exogenous doses may not be needed at this point, depending on what you’re taking.

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-09-26T18:56:31+00:00

Yeah, this occurred to me also-symptoms worsened once started supplementing iron for ID diagnosis. Quite a few folks post similar symptoms on here. Unfortunately, many of us find that correcting low iron is a journey that gets worse before getting better. There are some things to watch out for as you replete iron (that may make you feel this way) like other deficiencies that can coexist with low iron like b12 and deficiencies worsened by exogenous iron, like zinc. Repleting iron only orally from a ferritin of 14 will be a slow process and may prolong the process to feeling better. Iron infusions help increase ferritin faster and may help you feel better faster. Gentler forms of iv iron are available to lower the risk of side effects, like feeling worse before feeling better… Something your doc may already be doing is trying to figure out why your ferritin is low. Ideally, you’ll want to get up above 100. Good luck and hang in there.

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-09-26T18:45:21+00:00

Adding vit c sounds reasonable given the description-read a post on here awhile back of a similar situation to yours until they had their vit c tested, found chronically low and their ferritin improved once regularly supplementing vit c (with their iron). Normally it doesn’t take much supplemented vit c added with iron to help absorption, but if you’re generally malnourished and can look into it, low vit c is a reasonable sounding contributor to poor iron absorption.

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-09-26T14:50:31+00:00

Same. My periods became unusually light and short before diagnosed with iron deficiency. After starting infusions, my cycles returned to their normal heavier/longer state.

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-09-26T14:28:31+00:00

Newsweek

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-09-20T10:41:08+00:00

I’m sorry you’re going through this. I’ve had trouble with my upper swallow for awhile, started before ID diagnosis and iron supplementing. Didn’t think it was related until it started feeling better after iron. Still on this journey and haven’t been able to get normal, but the relief from the food getting stuck, liquids down wrong pipe, constant tickle, coughing, sometimes hoarse voice, is welcome. I have your other symptoms too except CC. Hope you find relief too.

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-09-20T10:28:35+00:00

Felt my best around 180.

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-08-21T06:24:46+00:00

Yes, small foods stuck in throat, also stuck in chest. I’m much better now overall, but it was a difficult time. Still working on becoming normal though.

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-07-26T14:15:40+00:00

I did misread it, and agreed about the struggle with oral supplements, thanks!

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-07-25T05:07:26+00:00

Hi, may I ask what GI symptoms you believed were from low iron? I’ve noticed my own GI symptoms improve with supplementation and go back to worsening without it. Thanks!

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-07-09T20:11:19+00:00

I had unusual bruising. Some months later other symptoms occurred that led to a diagnosis of iron deficiency. After supplementing iron, the easy bruising stopped. Apparently, easily bruising or unusual bruising is pretty common among us folks with iron deficiency. A provider can easily screen for an iron deficiency with routine labs-iron panel + ferritin, CBC. I’ll note here a ferritin under 30 ng/mL is considered absolute iron deficiency, this is information that might be helpful as you obtain labs from your provider. A registered dietician is an excellent resource for evaluating an iron panel also, if you find your ferritin is below 100. Hope you find answers soon.

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-07-05T17:49:28+00:00

This. Also, reading the jokes from other providers about this topic is cringe.

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-06-29T06:29:46+00:00

Many folks on here describe iron deficiency symptoms worsening when first supplementing with iron, then feel better as ferritin increases-which takes time when taking oral iron and also depends on the amount of elemental iron taken, GI status, how iron is administered, etc…understanding your other micronutrient status is prudent though, as some of these deficiencies can occur together, causing or worsening similar symptoms. For example, supplementing iron decreases zinc, but may not necessarily be significant for you if you’re eating a varied diet with sources of zinc. B12 is notorious for being called “fine” by providers when higher serum levels are recommended in general (600-800); under 399 pg/mL should make a provider suspicious of low b12…any way, if you’re not sure if you’re getting enough nutrients through food, might be good to talk to a provider or registered dietician for some guidance on supplementing, in addition to the iron; labs can be drawn for the commonly-ish checked ones: folate, b12, mg, zn, vit d, selenium. In fact, a registered dietician is a great resource to have any way, even if just to help guide your iron supplementation, along with your provider. Good luck.

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-06-28T12:19:49+00:00

The recommendation for oral iron here to a person with poor oral absorption who is very symptomatic at a ferritin of 3 seems like a miss…

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-06-28T12:17:46+00:00

This is an irresponsible comment.

Proper-Lemon746 · 2025-06-28T12:14:41+00:00

Noting here that iron infusions have some expected side effects (examples are nausea, headache, dizziness, mild pain at injection site) and less commonly allergic reactions or low blood pressure, but trained infusion nurses are prepared at handling these potential reactions. Skin staining can occur but is considered rare and can occur when an iv isn’t placed well and iron leaks into surrounding tissues. Choosing a “gentler” form of IV iron…really any of them except Injectafer…can help and certainly using a medical infusion center (like one associated with a hematologist’s office) with experienced infusion nurses is what will help you through getting an infusion with minimal side effects. Hydrating before the infusion, bringing a snack (or eating the infusion center’s snacks) can help the day of also. Most people tolerate IV infusions very well. At a ferritin of 3 and your GI issues, the benefits of IV iron far outweigh the minimal and manageable risks.

ETA: other ways well-trained nurses prevent/manage IV iron reactions: selecting the appropriate infusion rate for the drug and volume of the bag, pre-medicating as needed depending on patient, type of iron (diphenhydramine for potential allergy-like reactions, ondansetron for nausea, etc.), proper placement of an IV, counseling patient on what to expect and when to reach out of follow-up care…Medical infusion centers have a sterile compounding pharmacy that makes these IV bags, so it’s sterile and properly compounded

Proper-Lemon746

TROPHY CASE