Chewable iron making me sick

I have been trying to increase my iron as my labs have been trending down.  I recently bought bariatric advantage chewables (60 grams) as I want to take iron every day and thought that this may make it easier.  Last week I took it on an empty stomach at work and became VERY nauseas for about 20 min maybe 30 min after chewing it....I was also spitting (like the foamies) so initially thought it was from lunch.

Today, I chewed it before my lunch but ate IMMEDIATELY afterwards and it happened again...about 20 min after I ate...felt fine while eating and then extreme nausea with some dry heaves (thankfully I have VERY understanding coworkers who have seen me over the trash can before).   When I have taken the iron that I swallow I have never experienced nausea (took it last night during the night on an empty stomach...no issues).  I hate wasting $$ on the bariatric advantage and like the option of chewable as lunch time is an easy time to take something NOT near my calcium time.

Any of you experienced this? I usually take carbonyl iron. 

One last question, does elemental iron absorb with us?  I was unfamiliar with elemental iron.   I also have some proferrin to try.

Lastly, my surgeon feels my period is contributing to the iron issues but I do NOT want an IUD and hesitate trying the pill again as i experienced spotting probably due to the malabsorption.  My periods are heavier and more painful now with out BCP though so I may try the pill again but would love to know if anyone post surgery is using the pill (I know I need to use something with it to prevent pregnancy again due to malabsoption).

Thanks for listening. (I HATE nausea and was miserable when this happened again today so may have to stop the chewable).

~~Jennifer

Some folks just have trouble with most iron. I would give the Proferrin a try. Start with one and see how you do. Next day, if you did well with the one, add another. You want to split the tablet into 2 pieces to help with absorption. I've heard of folks taking as many as a 4 Proferrin a day when they weren't taking any other types. 

I'm not sure what you're asking about elemental iron. All forms of iron have a certain amount of elemental iron. The worst and hardest on our systems is ferrous sulfate. It's a cheap iron salt but that's what many doctors recommend because they don't know any better and don't really understand that carbonyl and heme (Proferrin) are actually better forms of iron.

--gina

I have some of the Bariatric iron chewables and oh my the taste is awful.  Didn't make me sick but I have to really brace for the taste and I find I just won't do it in the middle of the night which is when I do iron.

Thanks Gina...will try the proferrin tomorrow....the carbonyl doesnt bother me so can also try that.  I saw an iron at Krogers that just lists the type as elemental....I was curious as never have seen that before and wondered about it.

Price, the taste doesnt really bother me.  It is VERY tart...I had some samples from support group so tasted them before purchasing at the Mission Pharmacy...it isnt cheap but an infusion isnt going to be either and I HATE needles.  Just wish I could figure out why it caused such horrible nausea (it was bad!).

~~Jennifer

I use the same BA chewable and never had problems with it.  It does taste like a sweet tart, I think mine are lemon/lime, I like the flavor.  I take mine at bedtime and have them sitting on my bedside table.  If they dont bother you at night, I would just switch your time to night for your dose. 

I may try it at night....I would HATE though to be sick when trying to get to sleep....the nausea was way bad.  I have the lemon/lime one too and I dont mind the taste and the nausea doesnt start for about 20-30 min.  Just wish I know why it was causing this.

Thanks!