I need iron

[KICKSTART]

My IV iron is way overdue and cant i tell! I really need that boost it gives you but .. i cant have any right now , my BP is way to high and has been for months. I know we dont give medical advice as such , but any suggestions how i can cope without my iv iron?  Have you found anything that helps ?

[MyssAnne]

Do you have a shot every week/month? I do a shot of Epogen every Sunday to get my iron up, I had to do the IV iron too, yuck yuck yuck.  I do that about once a year, along with the shots every week. Other than that, the only other way would be to eat iron rich foods, spinach, liver, other foods high in iron.

[JerseyGirl]

We're talking two different issues here.  Aranesp or Epogen is given to stimulate your bone marrow to produce red blood cells.  Iron is needed to make red blood cells.  If you don't have enough iron you won't make the RBC even with the EPOGEN injection. Usually HEmo patients are given IV iron - Ferrlecit, Venofer - while in center and receive either a course meaning several injections, or a maintenance dose weekly.

[stauffenberg]

That is an important clarification: iron is needed to form red blood cells, but erythropoeitin is the machinery that uses the iron to make the red blood cells, so Aranesp and Epo are very different from intravenous iron.  If you are quite sure that your iron dose has been accidentally omitted and it is low iron stores which are worsening your anemia, you can always buy iron supplements over the counter in any pharmacy.

[KICKSTART]

Thanks guys , i get IV iron about once every 3 months , not on Aranesp atm. Iron tablets do nothing for me except give me constipation ! I need IV iron ideally. Small doses that tablets/food provide are no were near enough.  Like i said i cant have any with bp being to high , i am on PD  by the way .

[Ang]

i  only  have  iron  monthly  so  as  an  aid  i  try  and  have  red  meat  weekly
don't  know if  that  helps

[rimbo74]

I do Epo every two weeks then I was on iron once a month, but lately I've needed it twice a month.

[lamillinger913]

I have a question about IV iron ... I hope this is the right place to ask it. I get mine once a week, I think the Venofer. And then all the next day, I have a bad taste in my mouth ... not metallic exactly, but not pleasant either. Gum helps for a little while, but then, bleh! Does anyone else notice this side effect? I guess it's just something I'll live with ... it's better than the anemia. Still, it kind of spoils the next day for me, you know?

[tweetykiss]

Do you really have to have an IV.....now I know this is a dumb question but do doctors let patients give their own IVs at home?

Have you thought of Ferrous Sulfate pills?  My husband is on them, he takes 3 of those tablets at night.....

[angela515]

Are you on something for blood pressure? Hopefully you can get your Iron soon. I used to have to get IV Iron every few months, so glad I dont need that anymore... it was so boring sitting in the infusion center getting that darn iron!

[KICKSTART]

Do you really have to have an IV.....now I know this is a dumb question but do doctors let patients give their own IVs at home?

Have you thought of Ferrous Sulfate pills?  My husband is on them, he takes 3 of those tablets at night.....

Yes you get IV iron when you get really anemic , NO you cant do IV iron at home , its very dangerous!!! You can go into shock when you are given iron . Tablets dont give you enough iron , after you get to a certain stage. Hope this helps ?

[KICKSTART]

Angela 515 , Hi yes i am on BP tablets but having a lot of problems with side effects as soon as they try to increase my dosage! So at the moment i am on a tiny dose , which isnt really doing much good!

[tamara]

Do you really have to have an IV.....now I know this is a dumb question but do doctors let patients give their own IVs at home?

Have you thought of Ferrous Sulfate pills?  My husband is on them, he takes 3 of those tablets at night.....

Yes you get IV iron when you get really anemic , NO you cant do IV iron at home , its very dangerous!!! You can go into shock when you are given iron . Tablets dont give you enough iron , after you get to a certain stage. Hope this helps ?

Actually I do my Iron at home, weekly straight into the hemodialysis machine, comes in a 2ml ampoule that I make up to 10ml syringe with saline, is slowly added through the venous port in the venous bubble trap. Obviously this is done after tests and doses given in the hospital to make sure you dont have an allergic reaction.Have been doing this as long as I have been home, which is about 3 years.

[AlasdairUK]

I'm slightly confused, if you have high BP why can you not get IV iron. How are the two related? Is high BP and low iron levels not two different issues?

You said that you are not on Arenesp at the moment, does that mean you are not anemic?

[KICKSTART]

I'm slightly confused, if you have high BP why can you not get IV iron. How are the two related? Is high BP and low iron levels not two different issues?

You said that you are not on Arenesp at the moment, does that mean you are not anemic?

Hi AlasdairUK 

Firstly; no i am not on Aranesp, dont ask me why !
Secondly; I was informed that to been given iron when your BP is as high as mine is exremely dangerous. This was from the venofer clinic sister and they have refused to give me any till it can be brought under control .
Thirdly; Yes i am chronic anemic !

hope this helps ?

[AlasdairUK]

Hi Kickstart,

To me sounds as though you need to start on EPO. I don't know if low HB levels could lead to high BP. Try talking to a consultant if that is at all possible. I know sometimes it is not as easy to be seen as you would think.

Hope all the best to sorting this out.