iron woes!

well it looks like my iron is low again, i have already had two different times where I had to get iron infusions, this takes 5 days and i have to lay there and let it drip for about 2 hours. my surgeon wants me to take iron pills but they constipate me sooooo bad!!! I already have a problem with constipation and this just makes it worse to the point of pain. so I need a different way to get iron. I see my family doctor this week and will discuss with him other options like iron shots, having the infusions again and maybe even seeing a hemotologist... anyone else have problems with iron, constipation and cronic anemia??? I believe i have had anemia problems my whole life but no one ever found it until I had the surgery. my mom, my sister and son all have some form of anemia Donna 277/150ish

Donna, Sorry to hear you're having problems. My doc put me on a prescription Iron "Poly-Iron 150's" And they don't cause me any of the constipation issues. He said NOT to take Ferrous Sulfate, because it causes many Bypassers constipation problems. I also take mine with Vitamin C, which is supposed to aid absorption/Bio-availability. Guys don't have quite the problem with Iron that many women have... (according to a recent survey) But thought I'd drop in to wish you well, and pass on the little I had. Iron does seem to be one of those problems that is difficult to deal with once the "Stores" have been depleted. Hope your infusions get you back on track!! Best Wishes- Dx

My surgeon prescribed Repliva 21/7 for me and I've had no stomach problem nor contipation issues with them. I'm on week two. I have to bite them in half because they are so big and hard to swallow whole, but it's just taken once a day.

Repliva 21/7? Tablets for oral administration to provide 28-day iron supplement therapy. Each red film-coated tablet contains: Iron Ferrochel®* (elemental iron)........................................70 mg Ferrous fumarate (elemental iron)...............................81 mg Succinic acid....................................................................150 mg Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).................................................140 mg Vitamin C as Ester-C®? Ascorbic acid (as calcium ascorbate)...........................60 mg Threonic acid (as calcium threonate)..........................0.8 mg Folic acid, USP....................................................................1 mg Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)................................... ......10 mcg

Hey Donna, I surely wish I could help you, cuz I too face the same issues. I tried almost everything so far, no luck. I did the Repliva as another posted suggested, but by the 2nd week I was so backed up I hurt.. truly HURT. Even 1 pill of iron, no matter what type or make, impacts me. I sadly haven't taken iron in a couple months now, due to the pain associated with it. I tried to take it every 3 or 4 days, or once a week, but a few days after taking the pill, constipation set in, and impaction began.. once that cycle starts, its hard to overcome it. I'll be curious if you find out any information that will help. I tried the infusions b4, what a waste.. Cost me a heap of money, and time away from work (6 hours each session) and constipated me, and didn't bring my values up at all. Sorry, not much help, but I do empathise with ya! Wendy

Hi Wendy, I'm curious about how a direct injection of iron into your blood doesn't bring your iron levels up? It seems impossbile, but perhaps you need more? Anyway, I know it's expensive, but insurance should cover it, it is medically neccessary to have enough iron--it is fundamental for your blood. I don't know if your doctor has explained to you the majority of iron absorption occurs in our stomach. Since we only have a pouch now, we are physically incapable of getting enough iron from our food. You can take plenty of iron supplements, but if you have trouble with them you MUST see a hematologist. Do not ask your regular physician for help, see a specialist.

Hey Lena, Thanks for the response. Yes, it was expensive. My doctor (an internist) ordered 3 sessions, which took 6 hours a piece, causing me to miss much time from work.. and my co-payments (even tho insurance covered it, it was considered out-patient, and part of a different type of deductible that I hadn't met) totally $1500 .. my 1st two treatments were in December, the 3rd was early January.. so two different yearly $500 deductibles up front to meet.. sucked to be me LOL.. My next step is definitely with a hemotologist. I tried to schedule an appt on my own, but they insisted I be referred by my PCP, and I didn't wanna hurt his feelings by asking to go outside his expertise.. sad, isn't it? But I do feel confident in my internist, and he has tried a variety of different pills.. they sometimes start off promissing, but always end with the same impacting, sadly. I'm on it if my next set of labs dont look brighter. Thanks! Wendy

Have you tried taking (2) stool softners daily when you take Iron? My PCP recommended that I take them for constipation and said unlike laxatives they could safely be taken daily. They have resolved my problems. I've also heard that the Iron will cause constipation when you first start taking it but the problems disappear in time. Best of luck in resolving this problem.

I've been taking 2 Gentle Iron capsules for the last 3 months, without any constipation problems. It contains ferrous bisglycinate plus some vitamin C to aid absorbtion. I didn't have problems with HGB or HCT, but my ferritin has risen from 13 in June to 36 this month, and my hair is starting to grow back in. Sue O.

Do you take both of the Gentle Iron capsules at the same time, or do you space them apart. I too take the Gentle Iron and I need to increase it to 2 a day since my ferritin level is so low but I've not been sure if my body can absorb that much (28mg per capsule times 2) at once or if it should be taken at different times. Just curious as to what you do since it seems to be working since your levels have increased. Thanks!