trishcuit
taking iron supplements
Posted on: 06/13/2012 20:30
I have low iron and have been sentenced to a period of time taking iron supplements. The doctor perscribed the least expensive (knowing we are so low income), ferrous sulfate. Little red tablets. Took two this morning, on an empty stomach and had a bit of sweet bell pepper for the vitamin C factor, to help absorption. Twenty minutes later I am chewing down three extra strength Tums and then took a Gravol. I was so certain I was going to puke. I used the word 'sentenced' because it felt like a punishment.
I was then chatting with some friends on facebook about the topic of iron deficiency and anemia. Most of us women have had some sort of experience with low iron. Some friends suggested brands that were non-irritating. They are not cheap. I looked up the prices and made phone calls and had a case of sticker shock. Then a very dear lady, an obstetric nurse whose husband is an ob/gyn set me up wiht some samples of the cadillac of iron supplements, "Fera max". She gave me a month's supply of samples to see how I like it. I feel so blessed.
What I am learning about iron deficiency is that it makes you more than just physically fatigued. I am GROUCHY!! As in 'rip off your head and spit in the hole' grouchy. And I can't think straight sometimes. It all makes sense when you figure it out but man I thought I had to up my antidepressant dosage, or it was a particularly bad case of PMS.
So now I have these wonder capsules and I should know in a few days how they work. The nice thing about these is I can take them with food also.
Anybody else have info and tidbits on iron and their experiences and what works for them?
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chemgal
Posted on: 06/13/2012 21:09
I've been anemic before, but I managed to not take iron supplements. I think I had to have stuff as a small child and it constipated me badly, so my mom made me avoid the pills as much as possible when I had problems later.
I manage to do fine by eating foods higher in iron. I realize that isn't possible for everyone. There's even been times where I felt anemic, didn't know it was vitamin B12 (it's still just an assumption looking back) and had my iron levels high to the point where I got a call to check to make sure I wasn't taking supplements.
My go to iron source is red meat. I'll crave things like steak and burgers when I get anemic. Vitamin C helps you absorb iron. One of my favourite ways to get iron is a taco salad or burrito (homemade): guacomole with lime juice and peppers will help with the vitamin C and add whatever toppings you like with the ground beef. Spaghetti with a meaty sauce is also good too. I also like broccoli and cereal, which are high in iron (cereal depending a bit, but most are). If you want more information about how to get it from your diet I can find you some good resources if you're unsure what to trust.
Hopefully you'll just need a bit of a boost with the pills and then you can switch to just making sure you get a bit more in your diet.
InannaWhimsey
Posted on: 06/13/2012 22:02
trishcuit,
i guess you just can't make yourself a rust sundae or suck on a rusty nail?
and aren't bodies bizarre? "free will???" yeah, right ;3
trishcuit
Posted on: 06/13/2012 22:19
trishcuit,
i guess you just can't make yourself a rust sundae or suck on a rusty nail?
and aren't bodies bizarre? "free will???" yeah, right ;3
well it sounds better than putting broccoli on my cereal.
*****
I also like broccoli and cereal, which are high in iron (cereal depending a bit, but most are)
****
sorry I couldn't resist.
carolla
Posted on: 06/13/2012 22:30
My midwife recommended (25 years ago!) a product called Floradix - it's a liquid, easily absorbed by the body (not like your first round of pills!) available at health food stores. It's not cheap, but a bottle lasts quite a while. I found it helpful, and it's definitely still available.
Taking iron supplements can sometimes cause constipation - so watch out for that unintended side effect.
I hope you've had the cause of the low iron level investigated - that's important. Yes, it's often menstrually related in many women, but there can also be other causes which are crucial to sort out - i.e. can be an indicator of other health problems that need attention.
Hoping you soon feel better!!
chemgal
Posted on: 06/13/2012 22:32
Glad you enjoyed my post trishcuit! :)
InannaWhimsey
Posted on: 06/13/2012 22:36
trishcuit,
that sounds rather nice, though...cereal & brocolli -- it'd be a savory dish...
i can be happy with just boiled broccoli with a bit of butter MMMM -- secular heaven :3
and i just created a new treat -- i took some of my brown sugar, added some Gibson's to it and then some lovely cocoa and mixed them together...:3
somegalfromcan
Posted on: 06/13/2012 23:27
Cereal and broccoli? Hmmm... I guess it would depend on what kind of cereal you were eating! I wouldn't want to have brocolli with my Frosted Flakes!
trishcuit
Posted on: 06/14/2012 00:35
trishcuit,
that sounds rather nice, though...cereal & brocolli -- it'd be a savory dish...
i can be happy with just boiled broccoli with a bit of butter MMMM -- secular heaven :3
and i just created a new treat -- i took some of my brown sugar, added some Gibson's to it and then some lovely cocoa and mixed them together...:3
Gibson? Now you're messing with GUITARS?!
InannaWhimsey
Posted on: 06/14/2012 00:42
trishcuit,
that sounds rather nice, though...cereal & brocolli -- it'd be a savory dish...
i can be happy with just boiled broccoli with a bit of butter MMMM -- secular heaven :3
and i just created a new treat -- i took some of my brown sugar, added some Gibson's to it and then some lovely cocoa and mixed them together...:3
Gibson? Now you're messing with GUITARS?!
I've heard aboot plants and music...food and music? hmm :3
(i don't have any vanilla, so
InannaWhimsey
Posted on: 06/14/2012 00:46
Cereal and broccoli? Hmmm... I guess it would depend on what kind of cereal you were eating! I wouldn't want to have brocolli with my Frosted Flakes!
you've got that right :3 eww
i'm imagining things like rolled oats, shredded wheat, porridge, farina, buckwheat, couscous...
trishcuit
Posted on: 06/14/2012 00:46
I have seen Floradix and used it before. This FeraMax is supposed to be 'da bomb'. No constipation etc.
http://www.feramax.com/
trouble is I will get used to the good stuff and then I have to buy it myself,haha! Costco carries it. It is $50 for 100 pills. But at 1 a day it will last 3 months and breaks down to $15 /mo so that's not so bad. It's just coughing up the initial $50 at once.
lastpointe
Posted on: 06/15/2012 10:55
Do you know why your iron is low? Be sure to find out. Sadly if it is low eating iron rich food doesn't catch you up
I remember when the pills for iron supplements were huge. Like marble size pills. Poor little old ladies trying to swallow them
Generally coated pills help with indigestion and I would ask the pharmacy about the cheaper ones and what to take for your stomach. If the pills say oa empty stomach you may be out of luck but often that "rule" can be changed. The pharmacy is a better source of info than friends or even the doc
Expect constipation, it will happen till your body adjusts
Also expect black looking stool. It is the norm
But find out the root cause unless you are simply one of those women who loose a ton of blood monthly
trishcuit
Posted on: 06/15/2012 21:19
I am wondering if it has just been creeping up on me for a while.