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Iron Pills?

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Posted 6/24/2012 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
So I started Humira and am currently in remission, but it appears my iron is still low after a recent blood test. The iron pill I'm on is ferrous sulfate and I think it's making me more flatulent and a bit constipated. Does anyone have any experience with similar issues? My dosage is 325mg 3x a day. I was thinking of cutting back a bit and see if that helps. Any suggestions/stories would be greatly appreciated.
Posted 6/24/2012 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi froggyfrog-
Welcome to the forum!

I experimented with different types of iron pills and had the same results...flatulence and constipation.
My GI was no help in suggesting what type or dosage to take. There are slow-release products that may work for you. I think Slow-FE is one.
I finally ended up with Alive! multivitamins with iron. So far, so good.

Best of luck!
Posted 6/25/2012 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
I first tried a pill iron supplement and then moved to a liquid. Both caused stomach upset. I've found that a multivitamin (GNC Womens' Ultra Mega) that contains iron is the easiest to digest.
Posted 6/25/2012 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
my latest gastro says iron pills are really bad for people with UC. i'm starting 6 weeks of iron infusions tomorrow because i'm very anemic, too. maybe ask your doctor if you can get those instead.
Posted 6/25/2012 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
Iron infusions can come with their own set of problems too and should only be done if absolutely necessary. I'm still dealing with anemia but I cannot take ferrous sulfate....it kills my stomach. I have been taking a brand called Feosol Bifera hip & pic iron. It's a lot gentler on your stomach and I have seen improvements while I have been on it. I take it 2x a day as per instructions of my doctor. Alway check with your doctor first if you make any changes.
Posted 6/25/2012 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
byebye, what problems? my doctor said it's the preferred way to get iron, besides food obviously. i was on an iron supplemet for a while and stopped it because i wasn't anemic anymore. i never noticed problems with it and my gastro at the time prescribed it.
Posted 6/25/2012 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Joanna,
I have been trying to avoid the infusions because my doctor says the iron can build up in your organs and cause damage. Specifically with the liver. Not saying it will happen but could. You also could have an alergic reaction as well. I was going to do them a little while ago because I couldn't find an iron pill I could tolerate until I found the one I'm using now. He explained it as its better to let your body absorb the iron orally than to be infused. Now just like everything else, all doctors have their preferences and opinions and ways of doing things. Im just going by what mine told me.
Posted 6/25/2012 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
I had the Feraheme iron infusion, which has a lower chance of reaction. They do not have to do a test dose. IT is also a 2-minute push instead of a drip. At first I had to stay for 1 hour of observation, but this year that is no longer required. I just get the infusion and go.

It is expensive however.

I was very anemic and there was no way supplements were going to cut it - and they made me nauseous.
Posted 6/25/2012 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
byebye. good to know. i had 7 iron infusions last year and they went fine. my only side effect was brown pee. it looked like coca cola haha but i know all doctors keep saying different things! i've had 4 gastros in the last year- 3 were good with iron supplements and iron infusions and my new one says only infusions. i'd prefer to take a pill because i hate driving an hour away to the hospital. my new infusions nurse (i go today) says she does them in 90 minutes so at least it's not as long as remicade.
Posted 6/25/2012 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the suggestions everybody, I'll mention them to my GI when I see him on Friday.

ByeByeUC said...
Iron infusions can come with their own set of problems too and should only be done if absolutely necessary. I'm still dealing with anemia but I cannot take ferrous sulfate....it kills my stomach. I have been taking a brand called Feosol Bifera hip & pic iron. It's a lot gentler on your stomach and I have seen improvements while I have been on it. I take it 2x a day as per instructions of my doctor. Alway check with your doctor first if you make any changes.

I was on Bifera before this, it seemed to agree with me more, but the pharmacy stopped carrying it for whatever reason. Guess I'll need to hunt it down.
Posted 6/25/2012 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
I just took an OTC iron pill. It did cause constipation. I was told to try taking it every other day and see if that helped. It did and by my next blood test I was better and haven't taken any since.
Posted 6/25/2012 8:07 PM (GMT 0)

froggyfrog said...
Thanks for the suggestions everybody, I'll mention them to my GI when I see him on Friday.

ByeByeUC said...
Iron infusions can come with their own set of problems too and should only be done if absolutely necessary. I'm still dealing with anemia but I cannot take ferrous sulfate....it kills my stomach. I have been taking a brand called Feosol Bifera hip & pic iron. It's a lot gentler on your stomach and I have seen improvements while I have been on it. I take it 2x a day as per instructions of my doctor. Alway check with your doctor first if you make any changes.

I was on Bifera before this, it seemed to agree with me more, but the pharmacy stopped carrying it for whatever reason. Guess I'll need to hunt it down.

They changed the name to Feosol. I almost didn't locate it on the shelf because I was looking for the Bifera name.
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