What have I let myself in for?

[Stoday]

When I saw my neph last month, my hemo was a bit low. "You can take iron pills or have an injection, which would you prefer?" Well, I've had iron pills before so I opted for the injection thinking it would only be a quick prick. Then I was told I should have to have it at the hospital.

I got my most recent checkup yesterday with the neph nurse, so I mentioned that I had not yet had the injection although it was scheduled a month ago. Only then did I find out that I would get to the head of the waiting list in early January. The injection is more an infusion; I'd be on a drip for FIVE hours  I was so gobsmacked I didn't ask what medication I was going to receive.

Can anyone tell me what I've let myself in for?

[paul.karen]

I just had the Iron infusion last month.  You must be getting yours all at one setting?
I went once a week for an hour each session for three sessions.

The body needs iron to make red blood cells and alot of dialysis patients dont make enough iron to suit our needs, especially if we are getting arnesp or epo shots.
And i thought sitting there for an hour was bad.  Bring a book....

[Goofy]

As far as I'm concerned, you're in a good spot!  I also had problems with low hemo and would get the epo shots.  Those only lasted so long and then I'd poop out again.

My iron finally got so low that I was "eligible" for the iron infusion.  I think I did it 6 times in 2 weeks but I can't remember for sure.

All I know was, after those treatments, I hadn't felt that good in a long, long time!  For me it was great.  It actually lasted for at least 6 months.  Then I started to slow down again and asked if I could do the treatments again but they said your iron or some other type of level in your blood needed to be below a certain point.  After the treatments my iron never got that low again.

All I did had to do is sit there with an IV for a couple hours while the stuff dripped in. 

I loved it and it helped me a lot.  And for me, the pills didn't really work.

[tito]

I've just completed my fourth of 5 infusions. They take about 30 minutes - the total prescription was 1 gram, which can be given all at once over several hours, or multiple times. Believe me, it's worth it.

My primary care doctor gave me iron pills about a year ago, before I was with the nephrologist. When I started going to the renal clinic at Brigham, they said I could take iron pills "until the cows come home", and they wouldn't do much good. You just don't absorb that much iron from the pills. The infusions are the way to go, especially to give the epo something to work with.

[pdpatty]

I've had the infusion but now ,when I am showing anemia ,I get a needle full of iron into the line on the machine.They pushed it in three pushes today.

[galvo]

I had the 5 hour infusion before I went on D. Piece of cake. I just read my book and chatted up the nurses. I now get some iron over the last hour on D once a week.

[RightSide]

I've had the infusion but now ,when I am showing anemia ,I get a needle full of iron into the line on the machine.They pushed it in three pushes today.

I get iron sucrose (Venofer) in the line on the hemodialysis machine, on a regular basis.  As often as once a week.

[Stoday]

Thanks for your comments, guys. They are really helpful.

The nurse said something about I was getting the lot at once, so that makes sense now too.

From what you are saying I shall be able to throw off the sisyphean weight that makes it so difficult to do much at all.

How long does it take before it kicks in? I've got so much I would like to be able to do.

[2_DallasCowboys]

I wish I could offer you some advice with your iron issues, but
my husband did not have any of these problems.

What I can offer is a prayer that all will go well - and that you
will feel much better and do everything you want to do!
Best wishes,

Anne

[BigSky]

The times for iron infusions can vary from unit to unit.

Since it was your first one they might have wanted to go slow.  Some people can have nasty reactions if they are given iron too fast. 

Even once on the machine they usually give the iron in several squirts over a few hours to try to insure no reaction happens.

[galvo]

My big iron infusion semed to brighten me up pretty much straightaway. Psychological, maybe.

[jbeany]

I saw an increase in energy levels almost immediately.  It was an 8 hour day for the first one, though.  They gave me a small "test dose" to see if I was allergic, and then I had to sit there and wait for an hour without getting the rest until they were sure I wasn't going to have a reaction.  Then I got the rest.

Bring headphones and music you like.  My first time was just before Christmas, so I got 8 straight hours of a country music station on the nurses' radio, playing country Christmas carols.  They replayed "Grandma got run over by a reindeer" at least once an hour.  Auuuuuuuuugh!

Once I started D, it was easier.  They just gave small doses every run for a couple of weeks at a time.

[dwcrawford]

country Christmas carols.  They replayed "Grandma got run over by a reindeer" at least once an hour. 



omg, that's against the law in most states.  its called cruiel and unusual punishment....

[Goofy]

Now this is really stupid but my kids would sing that to my mother-in-law when they were little.  Several years later, we found out that it really upset her.  She really thought they meant it.  I can't believe that!

I think part of it was that mt kid were the youngest grandchildren out of 21 grandkids.  Then several years later my mother-in-law confessed that she always felt bad because she didn't spend as much time with my kids as the others.  So I'm assuming that she felt guilty and that's why she thought they meant it!  Now the song incident has become a family joke!

[hurlock1]

I saw an increase in energy levels almost immediately.  It was an 8 hour day for the first one, though.  They gave me a small "test dose" to see if I was allergic, and then I had to sit there and wait for an hour without getting the rest until they were sure I wasn't going to have a reaction.  Then I got the rest.

Bring headphones and music you like.  My first time was just before Christmas, so I got 8 straight hours of a country music station on the nurses' radio, playing country Christmas carols.  They replayed "Grandma got run over by a reindeer" at least once an hour.  Auuuuuuuuugh!

Once I started D, it was easier.  They just gave small doses every run for a couple of weeks at a time.

I don't believe that they should be allowed to play any kind of radio in the clinic. There is always something offensive to me when other people choose a certain "type" of music. Country music isn't "country music" anymore. What if they had a "rap" station on. or 40s or 50s music? My taste in music is narrow. I collected a bunch of Christmas Music to play as background music during Christmas dinner. a lot of Carpenters, Andy Williams, Nat King Cole and yes, Grandma Got run Over by a Reindeer (For the kids) My Daughter (36) being an X-generation person didn't like any of it. My Grand kids liked most of it, but they have no understanding of any of the meaning of Christmas. I DID get "The Closing of the Year" (The theme song to the movie "Toys" It was beautiful! I hadn't heard it in a long time. I listened to it the first time and it brought tears to my eyes. Everybody liked it! My two youngest Grand children wanted me to play it over and over.
jmz

[Stoday]

I received a letter from the hospital today telling me about the infusion and date etc.

I'm being given an infusion of CosmoFer (InFed in the US), which will take 6 or 7 hours. They first give me a small test dose of 25mg Iron and wait an hour watching for adverse reactions. If none, I get the full monty over 4 to 6 hours. The manufacturers say that CosmoFer may only be administered when facilities and equipment for handling acute anaphylatic reactions are available. That fills me with confidence 

I'm glad I don't get the intramuscular injection option; must be given by deep injection into buttocks using a needle at least 50mm long and up to 100mm for obese patients. 

[Stoday]

I got my iron infusion today.

Sat in the chair at 09.30 and finished at 17.00. The first couple of hours were all right. Then I moved around to give one cheek a rest. After six hours I'd got an ache in the ass. I started observing the nurses' asses and estimating how well they would stand up to long periods in a chair. "She's got a big fat ass, so she'd be OK" or "Skinny but maybe her lack of weight would help".

Finally I was released from what had become Guantanamo Bay...

[rocker]

 

[okarol]

Wow that is a long time to sit. Luckily you've still got your sense of humor!