Iron Deficiency

My blood work is back - again - and my iron is at a 7.  That's on a scale of 9 to 120 and means that I am severely, life threateningly anemic.  I think a couple of you are in the same boat.  The link below is a good source for information, but on another site, I found that anemia decreases the metabolism.  Interesting, hunh?  I also found that my arthritis could be a contributor since it suppresses the production of red blood cells.  Calcium blocks the absorption of iron so there's another snag for those of us taking calcium supplements. 

Because there are inherent risks with blood and ferrous transfusions, we are trying iron supplements first.  I've been on supplements, but I'm now on a larger dose twice a day.  It will take a few weeks for me to feel better if this is going to work.  I can't imagine what this will do for my constipation.  Anybody have a jackhammer I can borrow?

http://www.anemia.org/patients/faq/

You can get magnesium oxide in the vitamin section at your local Walmart - to fight the constipation.  I take four 250 mg tablets twice a day - which keeps things moving.  Magnesium oxide is the same stuff that is in Milk of Magnesia. 

Have you had iron shots?  I hated them - hurt like the devil and they leave permanent stains at the injection site, but they did work - my iron level was down to 6 at one time. 

I'm going to try the Manesium Oxide.  I've never heard of that so I'm hoping this might do the trick.  Thanks!!!!

I haven't gone the iron shot route yet.  Doc is going to try Ferrous Sulfate pills first.  I'm on so many other pills that he wants to try lowest risk approach first and then keep ramping up if that doesn't help.  I'm not sure why he thought the pills would be better than the shot, but I'm going along with it.

Thanks again for the magnesium oxide tip.  I'm more excited about a tip for constipation than I would be if someone gave me a winning lottry ticket. 

So how are things coming along?  I know bad pun...did you have any luck finding the magnesium oxide?  My surgeon's office recommended this supplement - said I could use it from now on to prevent constipation.

Just checking in...

Va

I finally made it to WalMart tonight.  They didn't have the store brand so I went ahead and bought Milk of Magnesia.  I just took it tonight so don't have an answer yet, but I'll let you know when I do.  I was standing in WM thinking, "Duh!"  Why didn't I think of this and why didn't any of my doctors think of this? 

Thanks for checking on me.  I'll be in touch!

C.

As much as I hate hearing about all that's going on with you, at least yo're getting to the bottom of it all - and that can only mean getting better!  And I know you've had issues with the 'plumbing' since the get-go, so you have to keep a really good watch on this.  Ah, Connie - chin up, sweetheart. Maureen

My last blood tests showed I was slightly anemic...I get my vitamins from Bariatric Advantage...so I got the iron from them as well.  It seems to work for me....hope you feel better soon!
Joanie

i had a serious constipation issue after stopping the use of laxatives. geesh i'd been using them in the morning and at night all to lose that extra weight!
anywhooooo
i won't even go in the aisle for that stuff at the grocery store!
my naturalist doctor said to use ground flax seed.
i figured ok i'll give it a try.
After googling I found that its very healthy for everyone. My endocronologist also says every should be using some form of flax. he uses oil but after listening to me rave on and on about it he's going to try it too.
i sprinkle a tablespoon of it in my eggs when i am cooking them. I will admit the first time i took a bite i thought ewwwwww it looks like ground up brown dust. but it has a nutty kind of taste to it. very quickly i got use to it AND to the benefits that it gives me!
now if i do not have it with my eggs in the morning i am not regular. i dont' feel good if i don't go at some point during the day so now it takes care of business.
i will sprinkle a small amount on my cottage cheese or yogurt too.
i got mine in a local health food store but you can buy it in walmart for less. thts what i'm doing this week.

I always put a teaspoonful of ground flax in my protein shake - dunno if it helps with the constipation or not, but I don't have issues with that anymore, unless I go too strictly protein. M.

Yup, I am one of those that is working on the anemia problem right now as well. Am taking Ferrous Gluconate for now As still trying to get the good stuff approved thru Insurance I have. This is better than nothing & better than some out ther for us. So far
after 1 week, have not seen the sonstipation problems. I have added benefiber back
into my coffee in the mornings, so maybe, that is why. I also upped my B-vits & B-12 am sleeping better. My PCP said that the anemia does effect a lot of other stuff. So
Connie I do relate.
I have to have a pelvis ultra-sound tomorrow for possible cyst problems. hoping they
are nothing & biopsy next week on a polyp found from my pap. So dealing with stuff
along with the back issue (still in the works).
Hang in there Connie Here's to you feeling better soon.