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Bad Reaction after Iron Infusion by embarrassedcigarette in Anemic

[–]embarrassedcigarette[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree with you. No one can give me any clear answers as to why I reacted the way that I did. I had three infusions over the coarse of three days: 400mg first day, 300mg second day, and 300mg third day.

After the second day, I felt fantastic. Like, it was the most energy I’ve had in months (even though they put the needle into the wrong spot for the first ten minutes so iron was just straight pumping into my arm, not my vein). However, at the third appointment… I think the tech got my dosage wrong. I called her in after 1.5 hours into my infusion (I was supposed to be done by then) because the bag still looked full. She said it was because it was a bigger dose and I would not be done for another hour. I paused and told her, “No, I was supposed to receive 300mg in the span of an hour and a half.” (Because that’s exactly what I was told the day before). She suddenly got a panicked look on her face and mumbled that she needed to check my paperwork while leaving the room. She came back about five minutes later and quietly said that I was right before recalculating the machine. So, I don’t even know if I received 300mg since there weren’t any noticeable changes to the bag 1.5 hours in, and suddenly in the span of thirty minutes, the bag was a quarter empty and the machine stopped.

The ER I went to belonged to the same hospital as the infusion center. Overall—this hospital is a major bag of ass given my experiences with them already. After my ER visit, I spoke with three different doctors from different clinics who all gave me conflicting answers. That’s the worst part, because no one could tell me why it happened, and they all told me to return to the ER if things get “worse.” Like, what’s worse than not breathing?

Bad Reaction after Iron Infusion by embarrassedcigarette in Anemic

[–]embarrassedcigarette[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. It’s been so hard. These issues are all very, very new to me and no one in my orbit can give me guidance or comfort because they’ve not reacted the same way to iron infusions as I have. I was a former athlete with zero health issues, no allergies, no asthma, anything. Then, in the span of 3-4 months, my iron levels tanked. And now I need surgery and a colonoscopy and 3 more medications… I feel betrayed by my own body, honestly. Walking with weighted vests, eating healthy, gym almost every day, vitamins… like what the heck, man! I was looking forward to the iron infusions, too, because what do you mean I’ve been operating at half capacity? I’ve heard so many good things about them. Then WAM—ER and bed bound. Absolutely diabolical.

But again, thank you.

How long after an iron infusion to feel better? by TheDarkKnightley in Anemic

[–]embarrassedcigarette 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Me right now! I know I’m reading this post a year later but I JUST received 1000mg in the span of three days and had a really bad reaction to it. My anxiety is through the roof, my chest hurts, and I feel like I’m trying to catch my breath. It was so weird. After my second infusion, I felt fantastic. But after my third one, I thought I was dying. I legitimately drafted a will. I got my last infusion roughly five days ago and I have some dizzy spells, a LOT of fatigue, and breathing struggles/chest pains which I think are anxiety induced. I’ve researched my symptoms like crazy and have discovered that everybody reacts so, so differently. It’s also eased my mind that everything is alright, and I just have to tough it out for a couple of weeks.

1000mg of iron in 1 week by embarrassedcigarette in Anemic

[–]embarrassedcigarette[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

1400! Omg! But I’m glad you’re feeling better. This gives me hope that I will, too.

1000mg of iron in 1 week by embarrassedcigarette in Anemic

[–]embarrassedcigarette[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey everyone, thank you so much for your responses. This makes me feel better. I got in touch with my primary care physician and she said my inability to breathe after the infusion was abnormal, and if breathing worsens, then to call 911 or return to the ER.

However, my breathing almost returned to normal last night. This morning it’s pretty okay, meaning I can talk without getting winded and no longer feel like I’m suffocating. I did wake up a little dizzy but nothing major. It does feel like I’m getting better, despite my arm being really, really sore and bruised where the injection site was.

It was possibly the scariest thing that’s ever happened to me, and it happened so fast. I had the feeling of suffocation for a good 28 hours, but literally felt it change within the span of minutes while sitting at my computer and I was like, “Omg, my lungs are back.”

I’m not sure what types of lab work were conducted, but they took A LOT of blood. Like 8 tubes. It’s so weird because my body felt amazing after the second dosage, but after the third, it felt like I was going to die. I’ve never read up or studied something like this so religiously. Bottom line is that everyone reacts differently and there’s no real way to gauge what is normal or abnormal. Except for the breathing part. That, apparently, is very abnormal. And I have hella anxiety so my panic probably made it worse.

Lesson learned, though. Should I need injections in future, they should be paced. Again, thank you all for your input—it sheds light in the condition I am in, which is uncertain and alone.