Having My First Iron Infusion: Before & After

Yours truly was feeling a bit run down and fatigued more often than soap removes dirt, quite literally. This is despite only working part-time, while having the gift of being a lady of leisure despite the tough economic challenges that we are all experiencing right now, as at the time of writing.

I had survived Long Covid a few times, yet it was a mystery as to why I felt puffed out while engaging in simple tasks, despite being fit and working out, as well as walking up stairs and hills; to wanting to sleep more often than not. I am sure that you, dear reader can relate, regardless of who you are, and where you come from. Furthermore, there are events and circumstances like stress, general tiredness, and peri-menopause that came into the radar of my mind at all levels. In other words, doctors would usually say that there is nothing that they can do in order to heal from such.

Good old fashioned rest, combined with mindfulness, pampering, supplements, and epsom salt baths to name could not shake off that fatigue, combined with a myriad of other symptoms like unexplained headaches (despite easily drinking 2-3 litres of filtered water a day), brain fog, tingling feet in bed at night, muscle pain, dizziness, and brittle nails to name. And the need to keep lip balm manufacturers in business.

It turned out that low iron levels was the culprit, so dire that my red blood cells became microcyctic, and my Ferritin levels were too low to measure.

Who knew that working for a university, being involved in a nutritional based research project in helping people with Type 2 Diabetes live a normal life would literally save mine.

Blood tests in that regard do not lie, and on the merry-go-round of Iron supplements (of which are costly, and a new gained empathy for those with gastro issues would attest) came knocking on my door - like an unwanted house guest left yours truly a present called iron deficiency anemia of the moderate to severe variety. And for good measure, bloody pneumonia decided to be the garnish to my cocktail of unexpected health related issues, that was keeping longevity, and an awesome quality of life away for the time being.

All of a sudden you are fine, until you have a couple of nurses looking after you, as well as five different doctors involved in your care, and let's add in a physiotherapist for good measure.

Life was on hold. My business continued to do well though, and that was a pleasant surprise. My budget did take a beating, like I was thrashed in a pinata-based challenge. Yes, having to go to bed in the afternoon for a few hours of rest, in addition to having the standard eight hours of sleep would be a dream to some; yet such is depressing for others - combined with the added dehydration where a one-hour "nap" turns into 14-hours of deep sleep out of the blue.

On the money side of things, gratitude for living in the "lucky" country when it comes to health care expenses was super helpful. My out of pocket expenses from illness to being medically cleared and fully recovered came to (all amounts in Australian dollars) around $400. The Medicare system in Australia saved me an additional $796 - that amount of which went to GP fees, blood and other tests, urgent care treatment, and a chest X-Ray. Wow.

Out of the $4oo I paid out of pocket; $150 of that amount went towards the private Iron Infusion treatment, while another $30 went towards the actual Iron that formed part of this treatment. The Iron itself normally costs $305, yet thanks to the PBS my Iron only costed me $30 out of the $400 actually paid, in addition to the $796 that the Government contributed towards my anemia and pneumonia treatment to heal my lungs, and to reverse the Iron deficiency; the real amount the tax payer ended up paying came to around $1070, including the final GP visit and blood tests. Thank you Australia. And all of this is on basic insurance, without holding any additional private health cover. (If I lived in America, I would be poorer unfortunately, unless I was on good insurance. I feel for you guys in the USA.) There you go, the Government (in the land down under) also cares about your longevity, and in getting better. It is good business. Although it is still mind boggling that managing and reversing one critical mineral is that costly. I am grateful, and I shall not abuse that gift.

With my Ferritin levels being too low to measure at first (<6), combined with my haemoglobin being under 100; in the first month of my illness, my Ferritin only slightly improved (from <6 - too low to measure, to a 6 - now measured). Progress was really slow (catching pneumonia was not helpful), and now yours truly needed an urgent Iron Infusion, to quickly improve my iron levels to build up immunity again as well.

Immunity is the glue that holds longevity and a decent quality of life together.

Before my Iron Infusion, I was sick-as-a-dog quite literally, and therefore this Iron Infusion could not come quick enough, despite IV shortages in my country. The day before Halloween in 2024 was a life changing experience. I was initially scared and anxious about the entire procedure, as I have not had a needle in my veins for 30-minutes in a long time. (Some Infusions can take up to four hours, even more). And neither have I had my medicine attached to an IV pole in like ever prior.

On this, the Internet is home to a wealth of knowledge, as well as an overwhelming amount of doom and gloom, as well as fear. It is wise to do your research, and read up on other people's experiences of having Iron Infusions.

Please know that you are unique and different, and that the unpleasant post Iron Infusion experiences shared on the Internet by others will not necessarily be yours.

Skin staining (actual iron seeping onto the skin) is a real risk with an Iron Infusion, and therefore it is not a decision that can be taken lightly. In most cases, those skin stains are permanent, yet they could be removed with laser treatment. There are consent forms to sign, and the nurse administering your infusion should use some saline, and check everything. When I say everything; good hospitals and haematology centres and infusion clinics would check your script, as well as your blood test results indicating low Haemoglobin and Ferritin. The private hospital where I had my first ever Iron Infusion (and hopefully my last, despite the infusion being better and more pleasant than expected) re-assured me through a saline test when the Iron Infusion procedure started, that there would be no skin staining, further putting my mind and body at ease. The images of such on the Internet are horrific. One person even went as far as getting tattoos over her iron stains. Incredible, but ultimately weird and risky.

The risk of getting anaphylaxis from an Iron Infusion is also real. If you are needing an Iron Infusion, in order to re-board the longevity train; find out if there have been any cases of such at the medical facility you plan on attending. Otherwise it is quite common to have one or more of the following side effects from an Iron Infusion, yet they quickly go away within a few days thereafter:

• Headaches.
• Dizziness.
• Muscle pains.
• Flu like symptoms.
• Nausea and vomiting.

Yet I was (and still am) grateful that I did not experience any of the above either. No side effects, apart from a bit of bruising on the injection site.

It is really miraculous how the human body (in my case, and I am sure that this is true for many other people out there) can walk into such a treatment fatigued and run down, and then be literally full of beans, and bouncing on the walls the moment the needle is out of the relevant vein. During the 30-minute observation afterwards, one left her bed, and enjoyed sitting down in the boujee-like reception area - moving around and eating raw cashew nuts (yes, I became really hungry again), as well as drinking plenty of water. These high energy levels have been consistently sustained ever since. Then again, starting myself on Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Magnesium supplements was a godsend, combined with a positive mindset.

Ensure that you enjoy a glass half full and optimistic mentality before that needle is injected into your veins. Such makes a world of difference.

On this, for the sake of your own health and longevity with being anaemic and contracting pneumonia simultaneously; it is critical to follow your doctors instructions seriously. Stop all iron supplementation two-days prior to your infusion appointment, and please stay off your iron pills (or liquid iron supplement) one full week after your infusion. Why? The iron from such will not absorb, and hence it would be nonsensical to do such. Have that follow-up blood test 2-4 weeks afterwards, and seeing your doctor for a follow-up session is critical. Some people need a follow-up Iron Infusion. Thankfully I am healthy again. (Ferritin is now 252, and my Haemoglobin is now 134).

Afternoon appointments are the best for Iron Infusions, so to get some important work done in the morning just in case. Amd to enjoy a steak and salad lunch and dinner. (Remember, Iron rich foods (heme Iron, like red meat) needs to be consumed with Vitamin C in order to absorb efficiently.

If you need a bit of time off work for your Iron Infusion treatment; please do not be guilty in taking a bit of time off in that regard. It can be sorely needed, so that your body also adjusts to an influx of Iron (in my case, I was given 1000 mcg of Iron in 30 minutes).

Of course, it is a given to drink plenty of pure, filtered water for the sake of your health and longevity. It is critical to do such before and after any medical procedure; especially with Iron Infusions. There is no need to fast on the day of your Infusion. Ensure that you are full, and hence not hungry at the time. And of course, bring your Iron, and a copy of the script for this Iron, and all blood test results with you to this all important appointment.

In concluding, I am grateful for this recently successful Iron Infusion. $180 well spent. A top investment. Wanting to read the Lonely Planet Travel Book in the hospital reception area afterwards was a really good sign. In saying that, overseas travel (as well as another goal of jumping into a trampoline pit) are on hold for now; yet a two-night holiday interstate/domestically is happening in the next week and a bit.

Another dream of mine (while unwell) has now been so real post Iron Infusion. Creating and publishing books is no easy feat. Not to impress, but to impress upon; yours truly has also created, designed and published four kids colouring books in print, and they are already published on Amazon KDP. Life is much better, and having the energy to run my own business has been a true gift. Hello wellness. And illness, good riddance for a long time. If not forever. Great health is a gift. Enjoy it. Thank you so much for sticking with me, until the very end.

All the best with your longevity, and if you are about to have an Iron Infusion; you will relax throughout it, and you will do great. Other people's issues and complications post Iron Infusion have nothing to do with you. Respect their results, and take their opinions of such a groundbreaking and lifesaving treatment as a grain of salt. Way better than needing a blood transfusion.