Feeling awful 10 days after Iron Infusion. Is it normal?

I went to the ER yesterday to make sure here wasn’t something more serious and phosphorus came back at 1. They let me go. Glad everything else looked ok. I’ll have to take leave off work at this rate. What a mess. When did you start to improve within that month Samuel?

​Like suzka, I was a mess, chest pains, leg muscle and joints were sore, I was like an elderly man walking, the kind of side effect you get from the statins, it took probably right on the month maybe a tad longer before all my side effects completely disappeared, some would rear their ugly heads every now and then afterwards but eventually disappeared. I never felt that burst of energy they said you would get when the iron kicked in, I was the opposite, the  fatigue , leg/joint aches, no energy and the  sleeping daily for most of the day were really the worst for me. The sleeping part lasted probably 3 of those 4 or so weeks.

​I was due to have my second infusion but because of the severe reactions I had to the iron infusion, my cardiologist ordered that I was not to have anymore . As I said everyone is different in recovering, some will be quicker and some will be slower in recovery

Please anyone tell me this gets better! 

It’s really common to feel crappy for 2 or 3 days. Hopefully, you are lucky enough to wake up tomorrow and it spontaneously resolve. Good luck!!🍀 

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I was active and feeling well too with the exception of some fatigue, cold intolerance, and couldn't fit catch my breath. I'm three weeks post infusion, which I had a severe reaction to, and feel like I'm never going to recover. How did things turn out for you? I hope you are better now.

That sounds awful. I had a reaction to ferrosol during the infusion. I was given Benadryl and a steroid immediately. The second infusion was injectofer. I was able to finish the infusion, but on the way out the door, I broke out in hives. I had to go back into the room for bendaryl and a steroid again. When the NP met with me before both infusions, she didn't tell me about the se's, just that they were "rare". The second time, I was observed for about 10 minutes and send home with instructions to take OTC Benadryl if I had any more reactions. It was the first time I didn't do any research during my ca treatments, what could be the harm in giving something that is in a daily vitamin? All I can say is that you are your best advocate; educate yourself BEFORE and listen to your instincts. It took me a month before I started to feel better. Feel better and try to drink a lot of water to flush your body. 

How are you feeling now? I too had a horrendous experience with my iron infusion and almost 3 months down the track still trying to recover.

How are you feeling now?  I ended up in hospital after my infusion also and still recovering almost 3 months down the track.  I ended up with HPylori in my stomach afterwards and had the same symtoms you describe. Have you been tested for that?

Hi,

I ended up being very very ill for 5 days before it passed.

I'm now feeling so much better! I have been having problems sleeping and have been feeling very hyperactive. I'm not sure if this is a genuine side effect from the transfusion or placebo effect now that I'm feeling better. Either way, I'm just glad I recovered so quickly,  I was starting to get really concerned I would be off work for a while as so many of you have stated you were sick for a long period. The most frustrating thing to me was when I asked about side effects I was told its very rare to be effected by the transfusion so I went ahead with it and was given the full amount intravenously in about an hour. I just wish that he had tested a small amount on me first.

I will definitely not be having another one. I will take high potency supplements instead. 

Wish you all the best and hope your feeling 100% very soon.

Hi again.  They found the HPylori in my stomach when they took a biopsy during my endoscopy. The hospital Dr's couldn't figure out what was wrong with me when all the normal tests came back ok.  I took antibiotics for 2 weeks to eradicate it and had a breath test on Friday to see if it's gone and will see my gastroenterologist next week for the results.  He mentioned to me that my reaction to the iron was rare but yet on these forums I've come across more people sick from them rather than patients with no side effects.  I also refuse to believe that the iron infusion had nothing to do with the HPylori. Something, somehow about that whole infusion caused my stomach to be infected by this bacteria and like I said, hell for the last few months.  Your symptoms were exactly the same as mine. Regarding your test, they can do the breath test and/or stool sample.  Hoping you find the cause of your illness shortly so you can begin recovering and feeling better.  The HPylori causes awful nausea, stomach burning and you can't eat highly acidic foods or they will cause you more pain. Try and stick to bland foods low in acid until you get your diagnosis. The iron infusion could have just casued gastritis without the HPylori also so make sure you ask your Dr all these questions. Good luck, please let me know how you get on

I'm glad to hear you're feeling much better.  I too was advised minimal side effects yet how wrong they were.  I'm still not 100% as I contracted HPylori infection after my infusion which takes a minimum of 3 months to recover. I certainly feel better than I did 4 weeks ago, it's a long arduous process but at least I'm heading in the right direction. Thanks for replying. All the best.

Hi, yes I did find the same, my menstrual cycle was much worse.  I used to have my period for only 3/4 days before the infusion and now the cramps are worse and it goes for longer plus heavier. All that extra iron in our system is what I'm thinking.  Although I have found my pre-menstrual symptoms are not as bad.  I did have the malaise and nausea post infusion but it was hard for me to judge how long that went on given I got the HPylori infection which also causes nausea and malaise. Everything just all combined into an awful illness.  Please let me know how you with your HPylori, it takes about a week for the results.  Hopefully that will explain why you are still so unwell.

My infusion was back on 26 March and within a week (Sunday 1 April) I was in hospital with severe diarrhoea, dehydration and stomach pain. The stomach pain was cramping from the lower part due to the diarrhoea and I also had the burning pain in my upper stomach (which was later revealed to be HPylori infection).  The nausea continued throughout, from the day after my infusion.  I should also add I never had any stomach problems before my infusion.  Dr's told me there were two separate things and unrelated but I don't believe them.  I don't believe in coincidences and something about the iron etc cause my stomach infection.

Have you had your CK/CKMB levels checked, that should be included in a full blood count, I would imagine your CK's would of been checked if you made them aware of muscle aches and pains with nausea

I don't think they checked those. What do both of them stand for? Creatine Kinase maybe and ....?

Yeah, I don't think it was a coincidence either. Too similar. Did yours slowly get better or turn around somewhat fast? Mine is not getting any better, maybe not worse, but not better.

Hard to tell with mine as I ended up with a stomach infection.  Still don't feel myself.  Did you have your test for HPylori?  How long before the results are available?

how are you feeling now?

Ive only just found these posts as i thought something was wrong with me after my two iron infusions (last one 10 days ago) feel anxious and listless, feel more tired than before!!!!! had a night feeling nauseous... headaches (which i never get !) and grumpy with everyone

please tell me it gets better !!!!