iron tablet joy

[Ejcl]

morning, I’ve just been diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia and am on day 8 of iron tablets. Yesterday diarrhoea started. I’m interested in people experiences in how long this lasted. I have a job where I’m in and out all day so don’t know whether to take something (Imodium etc) or struggle through if it’s only short term. I’m working my way through the list of side effects and others (nausea for example) have lasted for a max of 2 days. Enjoying starting to get energy back but not a fan of the side effects.

[topazrat]

I felt a bit sick and had constipation. I asked the Doc for a different iron formula and was OK after that. They tend to prescribe the cheapest option, which isn't always the best for sensitive tummies. Maybe ask for something different.

That sudden feeling of energy is great, isn't it. I climbed the stairs one day and had to rest at the top, then the next week, I climbed up and didn't even feel out of puff. A few days later I was running up them 🏃

[Ejcl in reply to topazrat]

Thanks, every other reaction has only lasted two days o I’m hoping this is the same! Got a three hour flight on Sunday so really hoping to not have issues then!

[Ejcl in reply to topazrat]

yes, to increase in energy. I hadn’t realised how ill I’d been, I only got tested as was rejected when trying to give blood. It was gradual so didn’t twig but looking back it explains a lot.

Energy kicked in on Monday and I got jobs done. Instead of thinking I should do X I actually got up and did it!

[Maldeerum]

Sorry to hear you’re having difficulties with the tablets. Iron tablets gave me bad diarrhoea so I was prescribed sodium feredetate (Sytron or Sodifer brand names) by my GP. This improved things a little. Good luck.

[Orchard33]

I take 40mg heme iron a day and initially for a month or so on 20mg to get used to it. It does affect my gut but in a manageable way. I can't tolerate synthetics.

[firehill]

Iron supplements in ferrous sulphate form are notorious for causing stomach upset. Try switching to ferrous fumarate - that eliminated all the unpleasant side effects for me.

[Ejcl in reply to firehill]

I’m on fumarole already. Symptoms have gone today so hoping it was a blip.