Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Iron Infusion experience??

Smoochiemom
Smoochiemom
I have been anemic for many years. I can't tolerate taking iron by mouth, so my doctor finally decided it was time for me to get iron infusions. I've had 3 so far since March. My iron and hemoglobin have come up to normal range which he is very happy about. I don't feel much different, no extra energy or anything. My mom thinks I have more color in my face, but I don't know....my question is that about a day after the infusions I feel extremely stiff and sore and no matter what I do, nothing helps. it seems to last about a week or so... Do you think it could be from the infusions? I'm sure the dr's will say no, that's why I thought I'd ask your opinion, if anybody has experienced this or has even received these infusions before....

thanks
Noreen
californialynn
californialynn
You might have more responses if you were to post this in a group associated with iron deficiencies.
Smoochiemom
Smoochiemom
I have RA , that's why I belong to this group. I am also anemic and that's why I had the iron infusions. I guess I should have said that in my post....it seems like the iron infusions make my ra worse right after.
linzsey
linzsey
i had severe anemia for several years and I had to take ferraheme injections -my hemoglobin was down to 7 and i had to get a transfusion as well as several injections, the last one was in feb 2015. Inflammation can really deform the rbcs and your spleen will trash the damaged blood cells and make new ones. My doctor said i have anemia of chronic disease (seropositive RA) and he called it microcytic anemia as well. My reading is now 11.2 and I feel much better than i have in many years. I have not had an infusion since last year.

Blessings to you
cap1972
cap1972
Hi, also RA and also long time anemia. I had 3 iron infusions in April 2015. Range is still holding at 15 one year later! Agree, with you, I felt no change as far as energy or otherwise. I didn't notice any extra stiffness after mine. Of course that doesn't mean you aren't. Hope you feel better!
Smoochiemom
Smoochiemom
Linzsey,
I have seronegative RA. it's interesting to read peoples experience with these things. After my second iron infusion, my hemo came up to 12.6, I was running around 9.4, plus my actual iron levels also came up. We'll see what this last one did , hopefully I don't have to go back every few months. I swear it did something to make my RA worse for about a week after :( I'm feeling better since yesterday.
thanks,
Noreen
lakotajo2
lakotajo2
I am newly dx with RA but I have been super anemic for more than a decade. I have been getting iron infusions for more than a year. The day or two after my infusion, I feel horrid. I call it infusion flu. I am fairly sure my infusion a few months ago is what started the flare that led to the RA dx.