Help me find an Iron

So I had the DS surgery in 2005. About a year ago, I finally had to get an iron infusion. $3000 later, I'm now getting a bit low on my hemoglobin levels again. I've tried absolutely every iron I can think of, chelated, liquid form, a couple my doc prescribed, OTCs, and they all hate me. Even with the small amount of iron in a multivitamin, my system gets all out of whack. When I don't take it on a full stomach I get bad nausea, which is easy to correct. However, the side effects I can't tolerate are the incontinence and the terrible gas. Even when I quit taking it, this lasts for a few days afterwards before I'm feeling back to normal. Has anyone tried anything that doesn't make them feel miserable? I've been trying to eat more iron rich foods, especially lentils, but it just isn't enough.

I would recommend Proferrin - it's not cheap but it's very easy to take and has some good results.

Proferrin - yes - a lot of people do well on that one. Carbonyl iron is another one that's pretty easy on the stomach

I hope you find something. I've never been able to take oral iron (I just don't absorb it) and have relied on infusions for more than 15 years. The last round has lasted almost 3 years and my numbers are still in the normal range. Sorry your infusions are so expensive - I'm lucky that insurance covers mine.

If you find you need to go back for infusions, check out Injectafer. I've tried Ferrlecit and Venofer, but only the Injectafer has kept my numbers up for this long.

I sure hope I can find something. My insurance covers it, but my deductible is crazy high. I actually got Injectafer when I got it last. I tried ordering the Proferrin that others have recommended. Hopefully it will work. I also ordered some of the bovine liver pills that I saw someone else mention on another thread, but they really don't provide all that much iron.

You may have to get infusions on a regular basis, but the proferrin should help extend the time in between. Good luck!!

Have you tried the patches? I know those work for some people?