Hi, I'm posting in this forum because one of my friends has colitis and becomes iron deficient and receives iron infusions.
This question, however, relates to me. I have a severe iron deficiency anaemia with no stainable iron in my bone marrow. The haematologists tried giving me iron tablets which resulted in burning skin and blisters. To circumvent this reaction, I was given an iron infusion. The first infusion caused some kind of emergency (I don't know what happened) I only remember feeling a bit odd and then waking up surrounded by doctors and nurses and having all kinds of things injected into my drip.
A second infusion was attempted and I was given premedication before the infusion started. This seemed to work until about 2 hours into the infusion when my skin became red, started burning and then came up in blisters.
A third attempt was made. I was admitted to the oncology ward, premeded and we tried again. The same thing happened but I also developed kidney failure, which was mild and resolved completely. I also became confused which I was told later was due to the amount of steroids I needed to have. I was told that I would have to have repeated blood transfusions as it was too dangerous to attempt any more iron infusions.
I have been having transfusions every 5 weeks for the last 2 years. However, the haematologist wants to attempt another iron infusion. I'm very worried about consenting to it. He said that he is going to try and find some form of iron that is different to the iron I've already had. He said that he'll also admit me to the ICU and premed and sedate me.
I was wondering if you know of some new form of parental iron (I had Ferrum H) that is safer. Also would you be able to give me your opinion on whether it's better to try another iron infusion (the doctor said for monthly iron infusions) or to stay with the blood transfusions. I may need a stem cell transplant at some stage.
Thank you.
Chirley