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Post by secretagentwoman on Dec 28, 2011 20:24:49 GMT -5
Which iron infusion is best?? Venofer, dextran, ferrlecit, infed...?!
I saw my hemotologist today, she's perscribing me Venofer and thinks I'll need to do 4-5 sessions every 3 months! Gah, why can't I have something that lasts longer?? And I've read somewhere that dextran costs half the amount? Should I be asking her for cheaper alternatives?
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joanlaptods
Full Member
DS Mar 9,2011 Dr Gagner
Posts: 192
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Post by joanlaptods on Dec 28, 2011 20:29:35 GMT -5
I recently had to research this myself and what I understand venofer has the least anaphylactic reactions, ferrlecit is second and dextran is worse. They are all effective. You may not need it every 3 to 4 months some people get a year or more from one complete series.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2011 20:40:12 GMT -5
I had the venefor push done in July, 5 straight days and so far my iron numbers aren't dropping. After the second one I felt tremendously better. It wasn't cheap but worked and no side affects.
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Post by secretagentwoman on Dec 28, 2011 20:54:55 GMT -5
Oh man, looks like it is not covered by insurance and I'm looking at several hundred dollars for the perscription!!! What is the cheapest I can buy??
**edit: What about Feraheme??
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joanlaptods
Full Member
DS Mar 9,2011 Dr Gagner
Posts: 192
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Post by joanlaptods on Dec 28, 2011 21:25:42 GMT -5
Feraheme is the best in terms of side effects but it is newer so I am not sure if it's cheaper. I noticed a lot of DS ers were getting feraheme recently when I did a search for iron infusions on the other site.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2011 21:43:32 GMT -5
My hematologist likes Venofer - I had zero side effects.
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Post by secretagentwoman on Dec 28, 2011 22:06:50 GMT -5
It only took me about 2 hours of desperate web searching, but the DS board came through, I forgot about this thread: www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/4322920/Feraheme-IV-iron-injections-not-quotinfusionsquot-full/ !! I'm asking my hematologist tomorrow, and I have United Healthcare just like that poster! The long and short of it, Venofer is a prescription (not on my formulary) IV infusion that isn't covered. It also takes 4-8 hours (broken up into multiple visits). Feraheme is an in-office IV injection that is covered like your B12 or allergy shot as part of your in-office visit. Nothing to pay beyond your normal co-pay!! And it only takes 2 - 10 minute visits, a week apart. |
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yorkie
Junior Member
Posts: 83
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Post by yorkie on Dec 29, 2011 10:18:00 GMT -5
I had the venofer once a month for 4 months and it did not really help my numbers, not sure if it was the dose but it kept me at borderline instead of shooting the numbers up. When my new insurance kicks in I am going to try the injection type and see if it makes a difference to me.
Best of luck
Yorkie x
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Post by lazarus1964 on Jan 5, 2012 13:22:03 GMT -5
i have just started infusions myself, (venofer) first 1 a week for 4 weeks, than once a month, insurance covers most of cost except copay, a little more than what i was paying for proferrin 2 daily, i feel better and my blood pressure is going up
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