Iron questions

I thought about that after I posted that you aren't a veggie kind of gal..  But, on a hamburger, they are marvelous...
Deb

 Iron levels are one of the things that really kicked m a$$ after my plastic surgery.  KP recommended Meijer "Soft Iron" but grabbed 'slow release iron' instead.  I take a stool softener everyday with the iron because and have had NO issues.  Tried prescription iron about a year ago and it really did a number on me -- been doing this iron since January and no problems.  
My morning routine: multi-vitamin, vitamin C, iron, stool softner
Good luck, you really don't need to fear the iron
--Sax

Thanks for the advice guys.
I think plastics had a lot to do with it, especially since my numbers have always been good before.
I take a multi in the morning and another at night, so I'll fit the iron in with that. 

Stool softener? You're full of ****
kp

The other posted in a wrong place.

 Hey man how's it going?  Your head doing any better?  

It is getting a little better. Less vertigo. Ears still ring but I get days when there is no pain. I still have memory problems. I get overloaded easy and shut down. It's crazy. But I'm making progress.
kp

I'm no expert in Iron stuff (ask me anything about calcium though).  But here's the advice of a couple experts from the main board:

* Andrea U -- she gets her iron from Target.  It's Carbonyl Iron 25mg and she has them special order it for her for around $5 for a bottle of 100.  This is pure elemental iron, unlike the typical ferrous sulfate that we get in any store.  She's got serious iron problems and is the go-to person for anything iron related.  She's on my friends list if you need to look her up and ask her questions.  She's studying to be a PA and is a research fanatic.


* Charlie is a long timer from the main board has had issues with iron and had to go through many iron infusions.  Once she posted her "Iron Rules" that her doctor gave her.  Here they are:


The Iron Rules  

1. No multi vitamin or calcium supplement within 2 hours of iron…before or after.
2. No dairy products of any kind within 2 hours of iron.  That means no yogurt, milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, cheese, butter...nothing.
3. No coffee or tea within 2 hours.  It's the tannic acid, not the caffeine...so not even decaf.   
4. Take iron with acid to give it the best possible chance to absorb.   
5. Open the capsule or take it liquid form.
   
   

Oh  yeah!  I'm an expert on constipation.  LOL!  Here's my daily routine to combat a lifelong battle with constipation that's only gotten worse post-op:

* 30-45g fiber per day (Fiber One twigs helps get this number up there)
* 64oz or more water per day
* 2 fish oil capsules per day
* 2 colace per day
* 1 tablespoon liquid fish oil (orange flavored) --- I just started this 2 weeks ago and it's made a huge difference!!

Pam

Now I'm getting more nervous about the surgery.  All these pills, and constipation to boot.  My memory isn't real great anymore, so I may have to use my phone alarm like you suggested, Pam.  My multi vitamin has iron in it, so I'll probably take my iron tab with that, then wait 2 hours and take the calcium.  My doctor suggested that I take the vitamin D 50,000 IU once a week and B12 (sublingual) once a day.  Are there any specific do's or dont's on these?  I think the hardest thing will be getting in the calcium.