They say I need iron infusions

[pdpatty]

I am scheduled for two iron infuions next week,one on Mon and then on Wed.Dr Ramos said they would each take about 2 hours. I do PD. Have any PD patients had to take iron  like this? Any new thing sort of makes me a little scared.

He tried to change my solution strength  a week ago. Told me to use 4.25 at night and at noon exchange and 2.5 inbetween. My bp went so low that I stared to get faint. Now I use the red one only at night and don't take bp meds at all.. My weight is dropping.

My potassium was also very low,3.2 at last count so he put me on potassium suppliments.

Is this normal for pd ,or just normal for me?
Oh yes,yesterday my bp was 99/66 and I weigh 204lbs. Needless to say ,I am tired.

[Chicken Little]

I've done 20-25 iron IV's over the past 7-8 years.   I started having anemia issues well before my KD came into play. The IV is no big deal.   Each time I go, they do a test dose and make me wait an hour to see if there is any reaction, before giving me the full dose.  I've never had a reaction.    No worries. 

[KICKSTART]

Yup iron infusions go with the territory! No big deal , hook you up to a drip , you sit and have a cup of tea! Not sure why its going to take 2 hrs though , mine take about 40 mins to an hour. Had loads of them ,believe me they make you feel better afterwards !, not usually any side effects either , dont worry it will be fine! 

[tubes]

i had to have iron iv's several times while on pd.  it's not too bad, i just hated having to sit for such long periods of time.  that was a cake walk compared to hemo.

the potassium supplement is normal for pd patients.  i was always very low, the dietician told me to eat lots of potatoes and high potassium foods.  i was still low, so i had to take those big "horse" pills.  was not a problem for me, some people have to cut them in half to get them down.

[pdpatty]

Thank you all for answering my post. You don't know just how being able to talk to you all helps. I can't remember even how or where I found you all or even when(perhaps you all are a true God send) but one day I was feeling so down,I mean,I don't think I have ever felt so low. I was looking thru my favorits AND THERE YOU ALL WERE. I do not remember ever putting this site in my list but I thank God I found you all.
Bless everyone one of you.

[Krowbar]

I had a couple of iron infusions when I first started a little over a year ago but haven't needed one since. You don't feel anything during the infusion anyway so should be fine.

Potassium infusions however...

[maisha_r]

Yesterday was my first experience with iron infusion,  i got 2 veins infiltrated and they pock me in other 2 sites, so finally 5th vein was the one for me to get the iron, i was there 5 and a half hours for 500 cc.  I would just say if anyone getting this iv infussion starts having burning sensation and pain increases, scream! i was told that it was the iron irritating my vein,  but then i saw my arm swollen up and pain became so intense,  that blow my vein. 

[Ohio Buckeye]

Yesterday at the clinic they said I need 3 iron infusions over the next month because
my iron is so low.  I got the first 1 yeterday and it was 200 and took 10-15 mins.
They said tho that if I went to the hospital to get it, it was different and took about 4 hrs.
I chose the shorter time. 
I haven't been able to get iron for a while because of foot infection.
One nurse told me if you have an infection iron will feed it.  dr. said it is controversial.
I didn't want to take a chance.

[rookiegirl]

Hi There.  I too had iron infusion 2 months ago because of my low hemoglobin.  On top of that, I go to my Dr. every other week to get an Aranesp shot to boost those red blood cells.  I started of my red blood cells count of 7 which explains why I was so tired, dizzy all the time.  I have had 6 Aranesp shot so far and my numbers are currently @ 10.  The Dr. wants it to be around 12.

[goofynina]

When i got my labs done at the beginning of this month, they gave me some iron, all was fine and then i went shopping, i starting itching, sweating and my body was feeling all weird and tingly,  didnt realize i was having a reaction to the iron, i dont ever remember feeling like that before?  think i just got a bad batch or something?  I think she said i needed more the next time i go too but if its gonna make me feel like that again, i dont want it 

[paris]

Goofynina, was it a shot or an infusion?  I am tired after an infusion but think that is from having the iv for several hours and not doing anything.    I react more to iron pills-make me feel sick.  Ask for details before they do it again!  We don't want you being all weird and tingly (well, maybe Sam does!)

[goofynina]

When they drew my labs, then she had a pouch that she just attached to the needle that was in me already and then she shot it in me, it took about 10 minutes and i refuse to do iron pills too, those thing do me some damage 

[KT0930]

Nina, did you mention your reaction to the nurse? Sounds like a mild allergic reaction.

Personally, my iron has been great (thank goodness!), but my potassium started low and remained that way for several months after starting PD. I eat potatoes with dinner several times a week, chips and salsa is one of my favorite snacks, and at Christmas time I can't get enough Clementines. Even with all that and taking 2 of those horse pills a day, my potassium is still only 4!! Grrrr!