Need Advice/Help

[Amylcd]

I'm sorry if this shouldn't go here, but since I'm getting NO help at all from my doctor, this seems like a good place to get a little advice.

A little background, I had my baby on november 7th, during the whole pregnancy I had low iron, it never got above 7.2. I was a scheduled c-section so on October 22 my doctor gave me an iron injection directly into the vein on my arm. The next day I woke up with a huge brown place on my arm, it looks like a very big bruise and it is even sore. That was almost 2 months ago and its STILL there and still sore. My doctor keeps putting it off acting like everything is ok and that it will eventually go away. This same doctor let me go 3 weeks overdue also

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Here is a picture..

[Amylcd]

Here is the picture (the first didn't work)

[karenG]

did the injection go into the vein or did some go into the tissues?? looks as if there was some leakage of iron into the tissues which should gradually reabsorb.

and you let him give you IV Iron????????? only done in hospital here! try taking your iron tablets with orange juice- get better absorbption.

Karen

[kc ccurn]

I agree with KarenG. Is the spot changing in size, getting smaller? Has it gotten any darker. Is your OB (I'm assuming it was your OB that gave this to you?) also your primary doc? I would have a primary doc keep an eye on it as well. If the iron infiltrated into the tissues, it should be much more improved by now. If not it needs to be looked at by an int.med doc, or plastics if bad enough.

I personally would find another doctor if he is going to disregard your questions/concerns and let you go 3 weeks over. UGH!

congrats on the baby!

[Brownms46]

Three things bother me about this post. First it "seems" you were given the iron IV outside of the hospital. I'm hoping this isn't true, and your doctor wasn't that dense or incompetent!

Next you made no mention of having a test dose given before receiving the IV therapy. Was this an oversight on your part, and just not included in your original post?

Last but not least, did this person advise you of the possible complications of giving iron IV???

I would find another provider, as this one from your post sounds scary. And I don't wish to scare you, but I would have another provider check out your arm, as "I" believe the iron seeped out into your tissues.

And I must add that it isn't usual to give iron IV, but it must be given with caution, doing a test dose first, and VERY slowly!

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Agree with above

[Amylcd]

"Three things bother me about this post. First it "seems" you were given the iron IV outside of the hospital. I'm hoping this isn't true, and your doctor wasn't that dense or incompetent!"

~ I was given this at my regular OB appointment.

"Next you made no mention of having a test dose given before receiving the IV therapy. Was this an oversight on your part, and just not included in your original post? "

~ No test dose

"Last but not least, did this person advise you of the possible complications of giving iron IV???"

~ I asked about complications and possible reactions and was told he's never seen any.

I trusted him, he's supposed to be the best OBGYN in this city (scary huh?). He only takes high-risk patients, so I thought he would have to know what he's talking about.

(By the way, I'm on this site because I'm hoping to start an LPN program next year, so right now I know basically nothing about this stuff)

[Amylcd]

If its seeped into my tissues, will it just go away or do I need to be worried??

[Brownms46]

First let me say, that "I" feel your provider was untruthful with you about the complications. However, he could have used an iron preparation without Dextran, which has been said to not require a test dose.

But I must also say that since he was dealing with a high risk pregnancy, that "I" feel he should've use a test dose. IV iron can cause anaphylaxis, and this can happen even with the test dose!

However again, it is evident that you had no severe reaction to the IV iron, but the fact that you have such a large stain, and that it was done in the office, makes me feel he was incompetent, or just plain careless. He also withheld information from you, and I wonder which iron preparation he gave you.

There are two new preparations, that don't contain dextran, and are said to have few complicatons, but any medication has some complications! So his statement, that he had never seen any, was an insufficient answer to your question.

If you have a stain from the iron seeping into the tissue, unfortunately it maybe life long. Sorry:o...but this isn't for certain, as I wasn't there, and can't say for sure what caused this problem. Just my best guess here. What really bothers me is the soreness at the site, and this is what I would see another providers about, as this might have been a phebitis [sp]???

As for this OB being highly rated, there are those in the field who have been touted as being this or that, and were quite nutty, for lack of a better word. Take the case of the OB who carved his initials in the abdomen of his pt. She was not only his pt. but became a personal friend to her and her husband.

I don't feel you should be frightened at this point, just aware that you might have a lasting stain, and probably nothing more serious than that. However, since "I" am not an MD, I'm suggesting you go see one to make sure of what is what.

Good luck on your desire to be an LPN, and if I can help you in anyway...feel free to PM me at any time. I'm away from my pc during the week, but I will be on every Saturday at least. Take care, and congrats on the new baby:).