Any advice for newly on iv iron

I have been anemic for many years now but recently my feritine tested at a -1, in otherwords I have absolutly no storage of iron left in my body. I got my firs iv therapy a week ago and go again tomorrow. Does anyone else out there have this and does it help at all? I am so weak and tired all the time, my heart papiltations are getting much worse and my breathing is becoming very difficult. Any advice or help would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks,
Sue

Hello
I hope your IV therapy worked.
Please post a reply.
My Dr. just suggested this, as the iron shots that I have been taking, so far- 5 of a series of 8 are not working.
Is the IV therapy painful? Any reactions? Did it work?
My ferritin level is a 2 I believe.

Any info. would be helpful!
Thank you and good luck!

IV iron dextran infusions are not painful (beyond insertion of an IV). They can take several hours, though, because the iron dextran is very thick and has to be dripped in slowly. They usually give you Benadryl to repress allergic reactions, and that makes you drowsy during the infusion. There are some risks, which is why these infusions are usually administered by chemo personnel who can keep an eye on you during the infusion process.

It takes about three weeks to see real change in blood counts and rebounded energy levels. A one- or two-month follow-up is recommended to make sure the iron dextran was adequately integrated.

I've been doing I.V. Iron treatments about once a year for the past 3...Although they are easy enough and "needed"...i am concerned about side effects to my body using it...Although, i guess the alternative isn't good either not having it :( I get tested several times a year but only seem to need the boost on a yearly cycle...At that time its about 10 treatments to get my levels back up...I still worry about long term effects...Any knowledge?

I have been anemic for 4 years, I don't absorb iron from anything and my iron count is at 2. Other than the pain of taking the IM shots is there any advantage to taking the IV shots?