:confused: I got my Iron infusion on the 31st of July. I went back to the hematologist/oncologist last Tuesday (3 weeks after infusion) for more blood work to see how I was doing. My ferratin level was 309.51 from 16.5 (GOOD!!!)...BUT...my other counts were still bad. White blood cells OK, Red blood cells were up from 2.84 to 3.18 (LOW), my hemaglobin was up from 9.4 to 9.9(LOW), the hermatocrit was up from 28.0 to 31.6 (low), and my platelets were 402 which is HIGH. My doctor told me to come back in 5 weeks and if my counts were not improved significantly, she was going to do a bone marrow biopsy to test for myelodysplasia or MDS.:( NOT GOOD!!!! :( Now I am scared out of my mind after reading all about it on the internet and having a friend die from it just a short while back. I am 68 so am in the age bracket for the disease. I cry all the time and fret, stew, and worry. I have had to quit reading about the disease just to save my sanity. Thank goodness I have my job. I feel wonderful, and have changed my life plan drastically. I am walking 1 1/4 miles before work and again in the evening.;) I have joined"My Food Diary" on the internet and am tracking everything I eat and drink. I am living by the book or nutrition and drinking 6-8 glasses of water daily plus Gatorade for replacing the electrolites. I have quit all my pills except the Wellbutrin and Lorazapam because it I stop those I REALLY will cry all the time. My restless legs have gone away, and I no longer have to take medication to sleep. I am working everyday. The iron has certainly worked, but I am still eating iron rich foods and taking iron pills twice daily. I don't know what else I can do to take care of myself to help the blood counts. I have not read anywhere on this site about anyone having MDS or their hematologist saying if the counts did not come up he/she would do a bone marrow biopsy.

Sorry to hear your iron infusion is not so successful. I'm just opposite. I think I'm very successful but.......

After 4 weeks of iron infusion, everything looked great. The GI doc said after 3 months ran another lot of blood test and make sure every things is steady. My ferritin from 106 dropped to 25. My heamoglobin from 12.2 to 13.9 which is great! Then my platelets fall to border line low. Liver is having a hipcup as well. Now she said it could be my body produced the cells to damage my organ? Want to do more test.... Did you continue to do the tests that the doctor told you to? My tummy is bloated, I'm very SOB and dizzy. Dr told me to do more exercise, it may heal. Did your Dr tell you to do more exercise too? I don't know, I think it could be the side effect of iron infusion? Do you hear anyone here mentions all these? Take care.

The same thing happened to me with the iron infusion. My ferriten went way up but my hemoglobin barely budged. BUT, it did correct itself after a little while. You just need to give it time. It takes time for your counts to regulated themselves and for your body to use the iron for red blood cells. I wouldn't freak out so much... like I said, the same exact thing happened to me and it my body all worked it out - give it time. Three weeks is not very long and your body can't really produce red blood cells that fast anyhow. If ferriten is your iron stores, then it makes sense that they are up - your body just hasn't been able to use all the iron for red blood cells yet. Everyone's body works differently...

The same thing happened to me with the iron infusion. My ferriten went way up but my hemoglobin barely budged. BUT, it did correct itself after a little while. You just need to give it time. It takes time for your counts to regulated themselves and for your body to use the iron for red blood cells. I wouldn't freak out so much... like I said, the same exact thing happened to me and it my body all worked it out - give it time. Three weeks is not very long and your body can't really produce red blood cells that fast anyhow. If ferriten is your iron stores, then it makes sense that they are up - your body just hasn't been able to use all the iron for red blood cells yet. Everyone's body works differently...

Lizzy....I am down to the wire for my return visit to the hematolgist. My app't is one week from today. I have been walking everyday at least 2 miles and sometimes more....I have not walked in years!!!!!!!! Even went on a 5 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail Sunday with my husband....unbelievable. I have continued monitoring every bite I put into my mouth and have lost down to 147.;) I am eating a totally balanced diet and am maintaining that weight. I'm taking all of my vitamins plus the iron. I am doing everything I CAN DO to bring up the counts by next Tuesday at 2:45. I finally pulled out of the depression stage I was in...just made myself think positively and stop worrying about something I really had no control over other that how I led my life in the interim. I no longer have RLS, need no sleeping pills, am taking no codene for my back, and all the ringing in my ears is GONE!!!;) My legs, hips, and thighs ache, but that is from all the walking on the hard highway pavement everyday. I was having to take Jaccuzi baths every night before the iron infusion just to survive getting into bed, and I have not used it in weeks and weeks. Surely to goodness my counts are UP....how could I be doing all that I am up to without that being the case?????? I do NOT want the bone marrow biopsy :( so I have NOT allowed myself to think about it. I have just plugged ahead. Work has been so good for me. The teachers and the nurse are concerned, but they finally figured out that I did NOT want to discuss my situation anymore. Thanks so much for your kind words and the advice to be patient...not to freak out. Your experiences helped me to think positively. I read your post over and over again. I will let you know how it turns out on Tuesday. I pray the angels are looking over me this last week.:angel: :angel: Genie