Iron - anyone else?

[emu0013]

At my last appointment my OB insisted I start iron supplements in addition to my per-natal vitamins. I never did this with DD and ever since I started them (I bought the slow release as suggested) I have been having a really upset stomach in the evenings. Is anyone else taking them? I did not have any blood-work prior to starting them suggesting my iron was low.

[twaffle]

Iron constipates you terribly... I take it usually 3 or 4 times a year because my endo makes me chronically anemic. My doctor gave me some magnesium along with my iron to help my tummy, but ask your doctor first!

[Deleted]

My midwife gave me a few samples of iron supplements to use that are supposed to be more gentle on your stomach and not cause as many issues with constipation and such. One of them is a pill, and the other is a 10mL drink. Maybe you can ask about those? I Personally didn't like the liquid one, but I've been taking the pills for about three weeks and haven't had any issues.
The pills are: Fusion Plus Iron/Folic Acid
The liquid is: Floradix Iron and Herbs
I'm pretty sure the pills are prescription. She said the liquid you can find in health supplement stores.

[shmee]

I have been on an iron supplement since about 14 weeks. I take Slo FE in the morning with breakfast. It does constipate me but otherwise hasn't given me any other issues. Are you taking them at the same time as your prenatal? My nurse said to take them at different times of the day

[orangepickle]

I take an iron supplement all the time and it helps if you take it right after a meal - I usually pick dinner since it's the largest meal of my day. If you take it on an empty stomach, it will hurt your stomach horribly.

[jayjay]

I take an iron supplement every day. The ones I take are sublingual (melt under your tongue), so you can't speak while you have it in there or it gets all over your mouth, but it doesn't upset my stomach at all.

[twaffle]

Jan 29, 2015 10:07:19 GMT -5 orangepickle said:

I take an iron supplement all the time and it helps if you take it right after a meal - I usually pick dinner since it's the largest meal of my day. If you take it on an empty stomach, it will hurt your stomach horribly.

You are supposed to take it first thing in the morning, ideally with orange juice for best absorption.

[laur1020]

Jan 29, 2015 9:58:50 GMT -5 @sastahlman said:

My midwife gave me a few samples of iron supplements to use that are supposed to be more gentle on your stomach and not cause as many issues with constipation and such. One of them is a pill, and the other is a 10mL drink. Maybe you can ask about those? I Personally didn't like the liquid one, but I've been taking the pills for about three weeks and haven't had any issues.
The pills are: Fusion Plus Iron/Folic Acid
The liquid is: Floradix Iron and Herbs
I'm pretty sure the pills are prescription. She said the liquid you can find in health supplement stores.

This stuff is amazing. As someone who suffered with anemia while diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, I have had more than my fair share of iron supplements. Only a very small percentage (it's either 7% or 11%, I can't remember) of iron pills is absorbed into your bloodstream, while the rest goes to your liver. Which is why you're only supposed to take them in short periods of time. This liquid supplement, though awful tasting, goes 100% into your bloodstream for fast absorption. It's gentle on your tummy and does not cause constipation like most iron pills. It works wonders. My numbers jumped so quickly in 2 weeks, my Gastroenterologist was shocked. It's good stuff, ladies! 

[Deleted]

Jan 29, 2015 11:31:35 GMT -5 laur1020 said:

Jan 29, 2015 9:58:50 GMT -5 @sastahlman said:

My midwife gave me a few samples of iron supplements to use that are supposed to be more gentle on your stomach and not cause as many issues with constipation and such. One of them is a pill, and the other is a 10mL drink. Maybe you can ask about those? I Personally didn't like the liquid one, but I've been taking the pills for about three weeks and haven't had any issues.
The pills are: Fusion Plus Iron/Folic Acid
The liquid is: Floradix Iron and Herbs
I'm pretty sure the pills are prescription. She said the liquid you can find in health supplement stores.

This stuff is amazing. As someone who suffered with anemia while diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, I have had more than my fair share of iron supplements. Only a very small percentage (it's either 7% or 11%, I can't remember) of iron pills is absorbed into your bloodstream, while the rest goes to your liver. Which is why you're only supposed to take them in short periods of time. This liquid supplement, though awful tasting, goes 100% into your bloodstream for fast absorption. It's gentle on your tummy and does not cause constipation like most iron pills. It works wonders. My numbers jumped so quickly in 2 weeks, my Gastroenterologist was shocked. It's good stuff, ladies! 

The only problem that I had with it was the taste. I did find that drinking orange juice right after helps get rid of it quickly.

[laur1020]

@sastahlman yes, the taste is terrible!! Especially the longer it sits in the fridge!

[mpiemont]

I was anemic with my 2nd pregnancy (found out after 28w blood work) and had to take iron. I took slow Fe and it did bug my stomach a little bit, but I just sort of pushed through. I was worried about bleeding issues after giving birth if I was anemic so I just sort of sucked it up. But yeah it wasn't really fun.

[emu0013]

Thanks for all of the advice, I have been taking my pre natal vitamin in the morning and the iron at night, to split them. I also am on a baby aspirin for pre term labor and blood pressure meds. With my BP meds I am not to take with OJ. Aragh, I think I may switch my pre natal and the iron and take it in the morning to see if it helps. Thanks again!

[kj808]

In the beginning of my pregnancy I was found to be slightly anemic so i've had to take an iron supplement every other day. I just take mine with my PNV and baby aspirin at night.

[Deleted]

When I was 16 my doctor found out my iron was so low I should have been confined to my bed (according to her). So I have been taking iron supplements daily since then--from 16-20 I was taking a huge prescription and after that I only took a supplement when I got my period. I stopped last year when my levels were back to normal but I have the feeling I will get put back on it after my glucose test (she is checking my iron then too).

That being said...I never had any big problems with constipation, etc. It may depend on the brand you are taking--I know when I was taking a huge prescription I never had any problems, but the pills I took when I got my period were not as easy on the intestines. Maybe try asking for a different brand?

[freddyisready]

I second the iron pills that are easy on your stomach. Browse the shelves, there are some bottles that say "Gentle on Stomach" and stuff like that. Its a huge improvement.

[Cornflakegirl]

Jan 29, 2015 9:02:42 GMT -5 emu0013 said:

At my last appointment my OB insisted I start iron supplements in addition to my per-natal vitamins. I never did this with DD and ever since I started them (I bought the slow release as suggested) I have been having a really upset stomach in the evenings. Is anyone else taking them? I did not have any blood-work prior to starting them suggesting my iron was low.

Can I ask why your OB suggested them since they didn't check your iron? My OB checked my blood at the office several weeks ago to make sure my iron was good.

[mayflowers]

Why did they tell you to take iron if they don't know if you're anemic?

[emu0013]

Cornflakegirl
My new ob said this was new pregnancy protocol. I didn't take iron with dd only my pre-natal! I'm going to ask more questions 2/10 at my next apt.