Iron Woes update

hi. sorry it took so long for me to get back to what happened at the doctors. I went to the family doctor and explained the constipation problems and that a few people in my family may also suffer from anemia and he agreed with me that I needed the iron but I was not wanting to take it due to horrible constipation. I asked and he agreed also to send me to a hemotologist who could help me more and is going to set up an appointment. in the mean time, he has put me on Repliva 21/7 I dont understand why the iron pills are done this way, it explains that there is 21 days of active iron and then 7 days of just a nothing pill... kind of like birth controll if you ask me. these pills are pretty big and if i take the pill with food i can actually get it down without cutting it in half. they also have Ester-C in the pill for better absorbtion. the one bad part is they are kind of expensive even with insurance, $30 a month. but since this will most likely just be temporary and the hemotologist will do something different I am not to upset... PLUS since I am a Veteran, I can submit the prescription to the VA and get it free... the only problem there is I would have to wait to get it approved then wait the week for it to be mailed... If i am put on something for a long time, I will go through the VA. sometimes the wait is not worth it. but other times, it is and saves lots of money and gas. I dont know if its working yet but I am sure the hemotologist will do blood tests and whatever else is needed. I am just glad I am on the right track.. Merry Christmas.... Donna R

Hi Donna, Iron by mouth didn't work at all for me...just made me sick to my stomach and constipated bad. I was on OTC and scripts and finally my hematologist couldn't read my ferrittin at all so we have been doing IV infusions as needed. Can't you use Tricare at local pharm. to get your meds when VA Clinic is closed, my husband does? You should be in Deers and the co pay is very small. Good luck trying them by mouth.