Question:
Is it okey for me to start taking iron without doctors advice?

Hello ((((Sweetums))))), I am having so much trouble with feeling so tired all the time....I just don't have any energy anymore......When I first had surgery I didn't have energy but I would push myself and somehow get thru the day...Now I just don't have the energy to push myself to do anything.....My surgeon has not done any blood work and I am 5 and 1/2 months post......Someone emailed me the other day and told me I should not wait on the doctor to take the iron......She said that was what caused her and her husband to be so tired and she started to feel better right away after taking it.,....I can't find that email now to ask her about it so could anyone taking iron tell me the best to take and if it would be harmful to me to take iron without doctors advice.....I am just sooooo tired all the time and need some energy......I have a doctors appointment on th 20th but don't think I can keep feeling this tired till then.......I take 2 flintstones a day and 2 caltrate's....Please let me know which are the best to buy....My hubby is going to town today so he can get them for me.....I couldn't find anything on iron in the library...Thanks a million and God Bless!!!!!    — Cindi V. (posted on November 8, 2001)

November 8, 2001
Cindi--I take iron, vitamin B12, calcuim (when I remember) and 2 Flintsones chewables. The iron pills I take are called Ferrous Gluconate 324 mg. The look like green M&M's. I would try that and the vitamin B12--I take 500 mg a day. But make sure that you don't take the iron pills with any milk or with your other vitamins because it affects absorbtion. It's best to take the iron with orange juice. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon!!!
   — Becky H.

November 8, 2001
While it's always ideal to wait til you see your doc, the OTC types are fairly safe. That's why they're OTC. Also, your doc may not even run your iron & B12 levels, and maybe not even protein and albumin! Just do not use ferrous SULFATE, but one of the others. Read the back of the package. Take with a vit C, any one you like that has no sugar. OJ is the "standard", but is is also a huge wad of sugar. Iron is fussy, does not want to be absorbed, so you set up ideal conditions. No milk, Tums, caffeine, other meds for an hour. JUST iron & C. Also, Caltrate is the carbonate form of calcium, which is not well absorbed by us. Since you are on the way to the pharmacy, pick up Citracal instead, OK? Check the label, but usually they are TWO pills = 630mg, so you'll need to take a pair 3 times/day.
   — vitalady

November 8, 2001
I am really surprised your Dr. did not start you on Iron right after surgery. I also agree that you should begin the Iron supplement. Also my surgeon request bloodwork every 3 months until I reach my goal. My family physcian is doing the bloodwork. Possibly you could have bloodwork every 3 or 4 months while you are in the losing stage. Take Care and start the Iron now!
   — Karen Renee

November 8, 2001
Hello and thanks all for your info on the iron tablets....My hubby got me some at Walmart but I am not sure they are the right ones.....he got Feosol Carbonyl Iron.........It says it's designed to be gentle on your tummy........it has a small caption on the bottom that says *Note*the 45mg of elemental iron per feosol caplet is the same amount of elemental iron as in 225mg of ferrous sulfate USP....My hubby told the pharm that I had had gastric bypass and he said that would be better for me and easier on my tummy.....What do ya'll think?...Thanks a million and God Bless!!! Cindi :o)
   — Cindi V.