Question:
I am anemic and taking iron pills

Today, I find that I am pretty constipated. My stomach is in knots and it hurts real bad. I am able to go, but always with a strain and only a little comes out. This only provides temporary relief and then the cycle of pain and only going a little starts all over again. I am not a happy camper right now. I bought some Colace, but I am worried about taking it. Is it gentle? I don't want to take it and then go to work tonight to spend all night in the bathroom and/or be sent home. how long will it take to work? Should I take 1 pill or 3 (the box says 1-3 pills until 1st bm occurs, then 1 pill a day for maintenenace)? What other things can I try to soften things up (preferably something cheap. The colace costs 5 bucks for 10 pills, that a little expensive to me. should be 5 bucks for 100 pills hehehe). Thank you all for your answers. I hope i feel better soon    — enjo4 (posted on June 20, 2001)

June 20, 2001
Erin, an inexpensive remedy that I have found in the past to be helpful is glycerin suppositories. They are VERY gentle. Once inserted they will melt and soften things up a bit and provide stimulation. They have no medication in them so they are very predictable, usually providing relief within 10 minutes. I have used the pediatric type for my children. (Post op, I no longer have this problem-things are too soft!)
   — Shelley.

June 20, 2001

   — [Deactivated Member]

June 20, 2001
Colace is only a stool softner it will make your fecal matter softer, but not make you go like a laxative. You should drink all your water, eat fruits & veggies, and look into foods that high in iron such as liver, lentils, spinach, blackstrap molasses, egg yolks, prunes(which help constipation), raisins and vitC aids in asorption of iron.
   — [Anonymous]

June 20, 2001
Colace is not a laxative, it is a stool softner. you need to buy the generic it is like five bucks for 100 pills. The glycerine suppository is a good idea to get you started to go but you may have to take a colace daily to counteract the constipating effects of the iron. Ask your doctor about it. Colace is a drug we use extensively in the nursing homes, along with peri-colace..which is the softener plus a laxative added. It is not nearly as harsh on the body as correctol. BUT, you should talk with your doctor. Only he can tell you what is specifically best for you.
   — paula B.

June 20, 2001
You may want to talk with your doctor about Iron Injections. I work for a family doctor- we have 2 patients who are anemic and not able to tolerate oral iron. Just an idea. Iron kills my stomach too. Good luck.
   — Jenn F.

June 20, 2001
You didn't say what kind of iron or how much you are taking? Sulfate is not well absorbed and will often cause constipation since it sort of goes right past. There are other irons on the market that are more absorbable for us and not as constipating. I am sympathetic to you as I live a life of the big C (& have not taken iron for over 1 yr). When I NEED to be comfy, I just bite the bullet and do the little green bottles. I got over being grossed out by it and just read the paper while I wait. Done deal, predictable, but annoying.
   — vitalady