I was referred to a hematologist to start IV Iron - went this morning and my HGB had dropped to 7.8 with my ferritin now at 2, so they are saying I have to get a blood transfusion on Friday and then start the IV Iron.

I'll admit the idea of a blood transfusion is freaking me out - can anyone who has had one ease my mind - he said I would be there all day - what is the experience like / what should I expect?

Thanks very much all....

Hello. I have had both iron infusions and blood transfusions. Blood transfusions act really quickly, almost immediately. Iron infusions act more slowly because you need to have a course of them. Either way you will feel better quickly. Blood transfusions take all day it is done really slowly. The iron infusons, that I have had, only take about two hours. Good luck and I hope you feel better really soon. Carolyn

Thanks much Carolyn - I am glad to hear it will work quickly, and more at ease just to hear from someone else who went through it as well! I guess I will pick some good books and charge up the iPod and just relax!

Thanks again - truly appreciated!

Hope this makes it to you before you have to go through the process of receiving a blood transfusion. I've had anemia for as long as I can remember, they put me on an iron supliment 3 years ago and within 4 months, my levels all raised enough that they took me off of the pills. I never thought anything of it and I've been going downhill since. My body became so adjusted to always having a low blood count that I wasn't thinking twice. In January of this year, i was sick for 4 months and I had enough.

the hospital thought I was joking around and faking it, they told me to write what was wrong and I wrote "Anemia attack" after blood tests, they determined that my hemoglobin was at a 6 and without a blood transfusion I'd die. Its scary, because at that point they couldn't have someone from my family give me the blood, they said they didn't have time and I had to get this procedure done. I cried, and I cried. Signing your name to 2 pieces of papers saying you know that you can get Aids or HIV is scary.

I had to have 3 pints(bags) over a 13 hour period because they have to do 30 mins to and hour in between with the solution and it takes FOREVER for the transfusion to be over with. and it just is disgusting watching this other persons blood you dont know dripping into your body. but i now thank them for saving my life and allowing me to have the time now to figure out why i'm losing blood and where.

Make sure they follow up with a blood test to determine though that it has raised your levels. afterwards y ou feel like a whole new person, i couldnt sleep for 2 days becasue i was not used to have a "normal" count. a month later, my counts were still low and they looked at me like i was strange, now i'm taking birth control, repliva*iron* and trying to see if that will raise me to a stable level within 3 months.

good luck. it's scary, but you will feel a lot better.

Thanks much Kristin - you are articulating most of the fears I have had... I went in for my type and crossmatching today and will get 2 units tomorrow with no viable family donors based on the timeframe. They thought I was crazy today when I kept making them check the stickers for the blood they took as one of my biggest fears is getting the wrong blood type. I know this is VERY rare, and the logical side of my brain tells me to just get over it, but the other half is ruling things right now, and I will just be glad when it is over.

I have been trying to avoid this for awhile, and was planning to start IV iron this week, but when they found I had dropped from 9.9 to 7.8 in just over 2 weeks they said IV iron was out until I had the transfusion. I have been through a lot of tests and other than being diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease / Hypothyroid a few weeks ago (has many of the same symptoms as anemia, and causes heavy periods which just makes the anemia worse) no obvious bleeding has been found - and this testing has been going on for more than a year with my HGB never getting past 10.4 even on oral iron, when I could tolerate it (even the repliva burns my stomach).

I am SO glad that the results are so quick - I think more than anything, that is giving me the most hope. As much as the idea scares me, the thought that I could walk out of there and not have shortness of breath and burning muscles by the time I get to the car feels like such a light at the end of the tunnel.

I'll be sure to keep on top of them about checking - I am slated to start IV Iron the following week until we can figure out the root cause.

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience - it means a lot to me - these boards have been a real support!

tell me about it. when they set you up to give you the units 2 people will be in the room and they read over it line by line from the bag to your personal records to make sure you are receiving the correct blood.

repliva makes my stomach burn and it makes me hungry.

i just got tested a month ago for some rare Von Willebrand disorder...thank god that test came back negative but even so now when i cut myself or have my period i just bleed and bleed and bleed. its annoying.

i wish you luck. just bring something to do as long as they do it in a good spot on your arm you'll be able to do stuff, and if you have to use the restroom they can unplug you ONLY if you are on the solution between blood they told me. for my they stuck me in such a strange place and i was still getting my transfusion at midnight(got released at 830am) and sleeping wasnt possible becasue they have to monitor your BP and Heart rate because of "reactions" i found that you just get full of energy and awnt to run around. but thye Cross check EVERYTHING so dont worry it's safe.