Hi All,I’m new on this page so please bear with me. My GP after a blood test recommended I take Ferrous Sulfate 200mg per day.
Well I suffer chronic stomach pains,and have done for over 10yrs,to which I’m not entirely sure why,however that would take to long to go into. I’ve had the tablets now for about 2 weeks,but I’ve only took about 8 because every time I take one it enhances my stomach pain and gives me diarrhoea,. So I rang my GP,because I can’t get to see one,and he told me take my time take one when I feel like it as it’s not serious. So I’ve tried that,but I took one on Saturday and I’ve had diarrhoea and horrendous stomach pain ever since. Today is Monday. I’m certainly not taking anymore,but I just thought I would prick your brains in this group. Any suggestions.
I should say I suffer with multiple health issues,but my stomach is getting unbearable. Any help welcomed am I doing something wrong?
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Breathless1943
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Please note that although this forum has anaemia in the title it is really about an auto-immune disorder of the gut that prevents people absorbing B12 from their diet. This absorption problem can also affect iron.Have you tried speaking to the dispensing pharmacist to see if they have any suggestions as to something that you might tolerate better.
Have you been refered to a gastrologist or had an endoscopy ? 10yrs is a long time to suffer without investigation ! It could be the fillers used in the prescribed meds upsetting you. I take active iron which is gentle on the gut
Has your B12 been tested ? If not request that your Dr tests it together with other vits. Write down your symptoms and take with you and explain how you have been suffering with your stomach and ask for a referal. Dont expect to be seen any time soon I have been told I could wait 67 weeks before being seen ! What a joke the NHS has become.
If you suspect a B12 deficeincy you could always do a private panel of blood tests - thats what I did. Take control and find out what is going on.
It seems you have several issues going on from reading your listings.
You are so right I do have multiple health issues.But my stomach pain,well that’s a real problem for me. I have had it investigated I’ve had Barium Ennemia ( Probably spelt wrong 🙄) Sigmoidoscopy,Colonoscopy,I’ve had about 6-7 gastrointestinal specialist from all over the country,some I went private with. I did have 1 good GP,who was a great deal of help,but he retired. My last one was in Manchester but it was quite a way to travel for no results. I could go on but I would be here for a long time. I was tested for celiac but that was some time ago. My now GPs are of no use at all,I can’t even get to see one. You also say take control,well no offence,but if you asked my hubby I’ve spent hours trying to get some answers. I am now in the stages of waiting to see a pain specialist but I won’t hold my breath,as I’ve also been down that road,and I’m now addicted to 2 drugs that do nothing for me. But this pain specialist is supposed to be helping me. And he’s never met me. I’m just at my witts end.
I have also spent a lot of money going private and been here there and every where. I have had a swelling on the left side of my abdomen for a few years but nobody can tell me the course. I went to see a pain specialist but all they offered were ways of coping with the pain and discomfort ! I want to know why and if it can be sorted but all they do is paper over the cracks.
I used to come out of consulting rooms in tears but not anymore. I am now angry and determined to fight my corner we shouldn't have to suffer like this. If you go to A&E you can be lay on a trolly for hours before being seen.
I am couldn't keep doing the London trips it was to much for me. I also have a new Dr but after 2yrs not been able to see him and it's even a job now days to speak to a Dr on thed phone. Have they checked your B12 ?
It is a constant battle to get answer's these days.
I hope you get to the bottom of this but in the meantime do try the gentle iron to see if it eases your bowel symptoms. I have IBS, Diverticular Disease, Hypothyroid ect.
It's not fare we have to suffer like this and have to battle just to see a Dr. If only we could turn the clock back to when Drs got to the root of the problem instead of us all running around like headless chickens.
Boy you are so right. Years ago I had every faith in my GP, Consultants Ect. But now I question everything. I was told IBS,but this is constant when I’m awake,then it was the Perineal nerve,that means injection in my bottom part of my back,that’s where my osteoporosis is so no thank you. I then went and seen a lady Physiotherapist private,and she was great and honest with me,she told me she needed to work on my back,but because of my osteoporosis she wouldn’t touch me,and she said if I had seen her 10yrs ago she would have been able to help me. But she did give me some good advise,so I praise her for that even though the pain still there.My hubby wants me to phone for an ambulance or 111,but I’m not going in hospital because we have lazy GP. It’s time some one told them back to work or no pay. It’s driving me nuts,everyone sends you to someone else.
At my surgery the Drs do a two day week and think they are hard done by. How I wish I could have spent more time with the kids instead of doing a full week and Saturday morning ! As for trying to get through to the surgery my phone goes flat because they keep you waiting so long. Grrrrr it makes me mad. 😡
If you ring 111 you get- have you got ear ache or have you got tooth ache it makes me want to scream no I have got bloody belly ache. I suffered heart failure and 111 was useless and took hours to respond. When I got there I was on a trolly in a corridoor for 11hrs.
and copy in your G.P. This is a way to protect ourselves. Unfortunately, we are not all the same and we can have sensitivities to medication or the fillers like Jillymo has said.
As others have suggested it may be worth asking for ferrous fumarate, or buying your own gentle iron or Spatone. (Keep your GP abreast of everything you do for yourself in writing is a recommend).
Please ask for all copies of blood results. You are more than welcome to post on here. But blank out your name, GP surgery and the like due to confidentiality.
Plus logging a symptom diary. Sorry I haven’t read your bio (which I normally do).
I have the NHS app,so I can see my records but of course understanding them is another thing. I have check and noticed on my last blood test I am folate deficiency. So I take it that’s the reason for the Ferrous Sulfate. But my GP assured me there’s no urgency. I also take Folic Acid,and to tell the truth it’s just all mind boggling to me.
Folate deficiency would usually be treated with folic acid.
It is vital that in someone who has both folate deficiency and B12 deficiency that both deficiencies are treated. B12 treatment would usually start first.
Treating folate deficiency without treating a co-existing B12 deficiency can lead to neurological damage.
Do you mind me asking what your last few serum (total) b12 results were?
NICE CKS guidelines B12 deficiency and Folate deficiency
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Severe folate deficiency 
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