Question:
Iron shots? At my check up, my PCP told me that I am anemic. I have taken the iron

supplements as well as my regular vitamins. The iron supplements constipated me as well as gave me extreme cramps. She is not too keen on iron shots as she said it can have some serious side effects and told me she would be contacting a hemotologist for any ideas as to how to procede short of the shots. My question is, what other options are there and just how dangerous are the side effects of the shots? I have checked the library on this site and can't find any other information regarding this, other than one person had a sore hip for three months after receiving an iron shot (yikes!) I am 13 months post op and have been taking my vit's faithfully. Thanks in advance for your help!    — Cindy K. (posted on February 28, 2002)

February 28, 2002
I haven't yet had my surgery, but I'm anemic to begin with. What I've been taking is 2 - 325 mg. of iron a day and it also kills my system. My regular doctor recommended a stool softener and it works well for me. Make sure you drink alot of water also. It may take your system a while to straighten itself out, but it does eventually.
   — Sue F.

February 28, 2002
What KIND of iron were you taking? If it was ferrous SULFATE, it is not absorbed well by most anyone, but particularly by US. It also can cause gastric distress & constipation, because it's not absorbed. You might want to try a more absorbable form of iron, with vit C, no milk, no caffeine, no other meds, alone together for one hour.
   — vitalady

February 28, 2002
Cyndi, I had to respond because, as far as I know, I am the only one on here who regularly gets iron shots for anemia. How low is your iron level? My hemoglobin went down to 4.3. That's very low. I get iron shots now, every other week. It used to be every week but, again, my doc like yours is concerned about side effects to the liver and kidneys. Do they hurt? Well, yes, I guess so but I am so used to them now, that I don't really even feel them anymore. My butt is just one black and blue mess, yes, and that lasts a good 3-6 months but, I can almost immediately, (within 24 hours) feel the good effects of the injection and they last for about 2 weeks. I was getting 50mg dosage but they have now upped it to 100mg because it just doesn't seem to be helping that much. Has brought the hemoglobin up to 8.3 but...12.0 and above is normal. Michelle Curan is very very knowledgable with her advice and I would definately think about what she tells you to do. Seems to know more than the docs many times. I've started on a regimen that she gave me and am feeling slightly better since. I also might urge you to have the doc check your stool to see if you might have yeast in the intestine. If so, it seems to cause severe anemia which is another problem that I have. Good luck and please write with any questions you might have. Oh, also, there also are Infusions of iron by IV that hemotologists sometimes order. I have not had those yet though so don't know much about them.
   — Barbara H.

February 28, 2002
Hey! That makes two of us!I have been unable to tolerate iron supplements in any form till yesterday.I got a sample of spatone iron supplement and there was no problem at all!Thank God because I've been anemic since preop and now its even worse!Spatone is water that has a naturally high iron content and is said to be very easily absorbed.My nutritionist recomended it.I was truly dreading the taste but it really tastes like plain water!I just ordered 2 cases!Go to www.spatone.com to order! Good Luck!
   — Stephanie H.

March 7, 2002
I am considering having the procedure and have to take 4 iron pills daily already. The best iron supplement I have found is the Amway Iron Tablets, they are made with a spinach base and you can take them on an empty stomach.
   — Diane C.