Iron Infusion Extravasation

[Maritime Q-Scout]

So... after having 2 kids, both my c-section (the first emergency c-section) my wife's iron levels were low and upon her latest bloodwork to quote her doctor "shockingly low".

So she was prescribed an Iron Infusion. She was told one should work, might make two.

We chalked up her exhaustion to being a mom, and getting up with the baby throughout the night. Turns out... iron, or lack thereof.

Anyway, her infustion was today. Turns out there was an issue, and the IV injection didn't completely go into her vein (I don't know enough to explain how that happens).

Has this happened to anyone? What were you experiences?

She's still tired, moreso than usual. She also has a huge stain on her skin. A giant brownspot on her arm. She was told that might not go away.

We've joked about her getting a sleeve tattoo to cover it.

We're not negative people, we'll accept with dark humour.

Regardless, anyone have any experience with Iron Infusion Extravasations? Or even just Iron Infustions? How long did it take to take? When did you feel a difference? How'd it go? Did it last?

Any experience is helpful.

Thanks.

[PaperBagger'14]

I have nothing to add other than that I'm sorry your wife is going through this, she deserves a metal.

[GoFlamesGo89]

It's really unfortunate that this happened. I happened to be near a hematologist and they said that the long-term result is variable, it doesn't always leave a mark, but unfortunately certainly may.


They also emphasized that getting the iron levels up will really help with the energy, so while it might be a little traumatic, its worth trying again and the extravasation is extremely rare and unlikely to happen again.

[JonDuke]

Also not much to add. I've been hypo-anemic due to severe Crohns. I'll never forget my GI saying my chart levels looked like that of someone who had just given birth. Extreme and unexplainable exhaustion was my only concern. It's been a few years but I think I had 3 x 4 hour infusions, each spaced 2 weeks apart and felt significantly better after the first one.

But I've never gone through nor heard about what your wife has experienced. Best of luck with the recovery/healing. If all else fails, I'd like to suggest a poll on here to help pick sleeve designs!

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

So... after having 2 kids, both my c-section (the first emergency c-section) my wife's iron levels were low and upon her latest bloodwork to quote her doctor "shockingly low".



So she was prescribed an Iron Infusion. She was told one should work, might make two.



We chalked up her exhaustion to being a mom, and getting up with the baby throughout the night. Turns out... iron, or lack thereof.



Anyway, her infustion was today. Turns out there was an issue, and the IV injection didn't completely go into her vein (I don't know enough to explain how that happens).



Has this happened to anyone? What were you experiences?



She's still tired, moreso than usual. She also has a huge stain on her skin. A giant brownspot on her arm. She was told that might not go away.



We've joked about her getting a sleeve tattoo to cover it.



We're not negative people, we'll accept with dark humour.



Regardless, anyone have any experience with Iron Infusion Extravasations? Or even just Iron Infustions? How long did it take to take? When did you feel a difference? How'd it go? Did it last?



Any experience is helpful.



Thanks.

Pharmacist here - I counsel on this every time I dispense the IV. It's really a last resort if oral isn't working or levels are too low because a) usually fairly painful, and b) risk of staining the skin with extravasation.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Pharmacist here - I counsel on this every time I dispense the IV. It's really a last resort if oral isn't working or levels are too low because a) usually fairly painful, and b) risk of staining the skin with extravasation.

Is there anything we can do to help?

To be clear, we're not devastated or distraught. But if anyone had any experience, what they did, or advice on what to do, that'd be helpful.

It's kinda cruddy, no question. But, oral tablets weren't working, and knowing how it was making her infusion was the right option.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

To be clear, we're not devastated or distraught. But if anyone had any experience, what they did, or advice on what to do, that'd be helpful.

Dude this is pure nightmare fuel and you are handling it like a boss.

I tip my cap, sir.

[blankall]

Sounds absolutely awful.

Apparently the stains are treatable with laser therapy.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Is there anything we can do to help?



To be clear, we're not devastated or distraught. But if anyone had any experience, what they did, or advice on what to do, that'd be helpful.



It's kinda cruddy, no question. But, oral tablets weren't working, and knowing how it was making her infusion was the right option.

I don't think so, but maybe there's something I haven't heard of. The issue is that iron oxidized in the tissue and turns black. How large of an area are we talking?

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

I have nothing to add other than that I'm sorry your wife is going through this, she deserves a metal.

Debating if I make she really deserves a metal being married to me joke; or she got a metal, lots of metal... well iron really, joke. Thanks though!

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Dude this is pure nightmare fuel and you are handling it like a boss.

I tip my cap, sir.

Naw, it's a little sore but otherwise she's fine. Discussing last night we both were of the view that "it was the correct procedure, nothing to second guess, sometimes #### happens"

Originally Posted by blankall

Sounds absolutely awful.

Apparently the stains are treatable with laser therapy.

I did hear that as well. In the sun yesterday it lightened from black to brown. Looks like she's got an epic tan on part of her arm. She'll likely blame me for not applying lotion properly while she was in the sun, haha.

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I don't think so, but maybe there's something I haven't heard of. The issue is that iron oxidized in the tissue and turns black. How large of an area are we talking?

I don't think we actually measured. I'll say 5 inches long, 3/4 of the way around her arm. Mostly above the elbow.

If she was to wear a long sleeve shirt you'd never see it.

I'd joked that she'll have to get a sleeve tattoo to cover it up.

Basically, we didn't want a situation where "If we had have done X" then it would have cleared but since we didn't it won't.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Debating if I make she really deserves a metal being married to me joke; or she got a metal, lots of metal... well iron really, joke. Thanks though!



Naw, it's a little sore but otherwise she's fine. Discussing last night we both were of the view that "it was the correct procedure, nothing to second guess, sometimes #### happens"



I did hear that as well. In the sun yesterday it lightened from black to brown. Looks like she's got an epic tan on part of her arm. She'll likely blame me for not applying lotion properly while she was in the sun, haha.



I don't think we actually measured. I'll say 5 inches long, 3/4 of the way around her arm. Mostly above the elbow.

If she was to wear a long sleeve shirt you'd never see it.

I'd joked that she'll have to get a sleeve tattoo to cover it up.

Basically, we didn't want a situation where "If we had have done X" then it would have cleared but since we didn't it won't.

In my honest opinion based on what you've written, this is one of those "happens in x percent of times in a necessary procedure" thing. Suck

[bdubbs]

+1 to the sleeve tattoo idea! You guys are handling this like champs. Wow.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

In my honest opinion based on what you've written, this is one of those "happens in x percent of times in a necessary procedure" thing. Suck

100% this.

Originally Posted by bdubbs

+1 to the sleeve tattoo idea! You guys are handling this like champs. Wow.

She's totally not a sleeve tattoo type person. I did order the tattoo sleeve socks from Amazon.


All that said, it's lighter today than yesterday and seems to be slowly clearing up. If it continues at this pace it may be weeks but might clear up. We're not holding our breath, but hopeful.

She says that it doesn't hurt anymore, but more feels like a sunburn.

I guess that's good.

I mean, it's not like it's terminal, it's not on her face, it's not painful... it just happens. She'd do it all again.

That's for the kind words everyone and the info.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

100% this.







She's totally not a sleeve tattoo type person. I did order the tattoo sleeve socks from Amazon.





All that said, it's lighter today than yesterday and seems to be slowly clearing up. If it continues at this pace it may be weeks but might clear up. We're not holding our breath, but hopeful.



She says that it doesn't hurt anymore, but more feels like a sunburn.



I guess that's good.



I mean, it's not like it's terminal, it's not on her face, it's not painful... it just happens. She'd do it all again.



That's for the kind words everyone and the info.

The pain is not from the iron itself, it's probably from the IV pulling out. The fluid then goes into the tissues surrounding the vein and causes edema, and if it's not isotonic it can be very irritating to the surrounding tissue. That pain goes away fairly quickly as things return to normal. The coloring from the iron may or may not depending on how well everything drains away

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

The pain is not from the iron itself, it's probably from the IV pulling out. The fluid then goes into the tissues surrounding the vein and causes edema, and if it's not isotonic it can be very irritating to the surrounding tissue. That pain goes away fairly quickly as things return to normal. The coloring from the iron may or may not depending on how well everything drains away

Yeah, we figured that. Just that's where she's at right now.

Apparently, it's possible the iron will be absorbed by the body and won't necessarily stain the skin.

Hoping that's the case. Otherwise I'm gonna have to spend the rest of my life with someone who has a Gilmore Girls/Golden Girls sleeve tattoo. I'd prefer not to wake up every morning with Bea Arthur staring at me judgingly.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Yeah, we figured that. Just that's where she's at right now.

Apparently, it's possible the iron will be absorbed by the body and won't necessarily stain the skin.

Hoping that's the case. Otherwise I'm gonna have to spend the rest of my life with someone who has a Gilmore Girls/Golden Girls sleeve tattoo. I'd prefer not to wake up every morning with Bea Arthur staring at me judgingly.

Speak for yourself!

[Minnie]

Have had the infusions, but never had to deal with the extravasation. We used to joke that I was getting an oil change when it started flowing (the color, lol), so maybe if anyone asks about the discoloration area, it was an oil change gone wrong?

[Maritime Q-Scout]

She's started to have some blistering, she has an appointment with her doctor on Friday. It seems like blistering may be a side effect, but I can't seem to find out if it's good (ie: body is healing) or bad (ie: blistering is a bad sign).