Fed up with tablets

Hi all, gp phoned today with blood results, got to up my vit d intake as well as my edval twice a day and iron levels a lot lower than they like so got to take tablets twice a day with juice(vit c) to absorb it better. 1 phone call and extra 3 tablets. I know they not medication as such but still more tablets. Blood tests in 3 months gp think my tiredness, sore eyes is due to this rather that 4mg if pred.

[Nextoneplease]

Hi karenwelsh

I know the pills are a nuisance, but it does sound like your GP is at least taking an interest…..and I hope they work, so that you’ll have more energy and your eyes aren’t so sore 🤞

Good luck, it’s a long road xx

[Hidden in reply to Nextoneplease]

Never had a problem with my gp surgery unlike other that have to wait wks for appointment. Well she did say ppl say they feel bit better about wk after starting them so fingers crossed

[HeronNS]

I don't do well with iron tablets so my doctor suggested liquid iron. I take it with an orange or clemi when I get up. It is okay with pred, but not with calcium. I guess it's more expensive than tablets (I pay for all my supplements) but seems to work really well. I don't take it all the time now my ferritin is at a healthier level, but nowadays every couple of months I take it once a day until the bottle is used up. The standard dose is twice a day. It is from Germany: Salus, Floradix Formula.

I assume this is your ferritin they've measured as some with autoimmune disease can have low haemoglobin but normal or high ferritin and in that case iron supplements are contraindicated.

[Twopies in reply to HeronNS]

How do you not do well? How do they make you feel? I tried some that were very clean: ferritin and capsule filler, nothing else. Knocked me for a loop. So I’m interested in your liquid. My ferritin was borderline low for the first time ever. Thanks. We

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Twopies]

Normal iron tablets give me the most awful diarrhoea!!! Not that I have ever really needed any but it was standard when pregnant in my day.

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

I'm the other way I can't take ferrous iron because it causes bad constipation , and as I get pseudo bowel obstruction as part of my daily ills , a whiff of iron in a supplement can keep me off the toilet for a week or more.

[HeronNS in reply to Twopies]

Opposite of PMRpro. Constipation. Although I have to admit not taking iron tablets since the 70s. I would have been a non-compliant patient if I'd been told to take them this time, but the doctor saw my reaction and suggested the liquid iron right away and I have no issues with it. Except you do need to rinse your mouth right after taking it so it doesn't stain your teeth. it even tastes quite nice.

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

What do u mean not with calcium? Do u mean not to take at same time?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Pred and calcium supplements should be taken at least 2 hours apart, preferably 4. The calcium is thought to coat the pred tablets and stop it being absorbed properly.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks

[Sharitone in reply to PMRpro]

Does the spacing have to be different with e/c pred?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sharitone]

Don't know - but if the problem is the calcium sticking to the outside, I would think so.

[HeronNS in reply to Hidden]

Yes, do not take iron and calcium at the same time as the iron will not be as well absorbed. As with pred, at least a couple of hours between calcium and iron. I can tell you, there was a time when I was taking three (smallish) doses of calcium, and two of iron, plus pred, every day. This was very difficult to schedule but thankfully there is no indication that pred and iron cannot be taken at the same time.

[Hidden]

Will pick them up in morning hopefully they will work, can't remember what they were called, suppose will find out tomorrow

[Blearyeyed]

Like we often say , those feelings will pass.

In the scheme of things it's probably better to just need to add in or adjust your supplements and self care than have another big thing come along.

And you get used to taking supplements it just becomes part of a daily routine even after your chronic conditions may have calmed down or gone.

My tip with supplements or medications is to take them mid way through eating a meal or food. You definitely need the Vitamin C to help you increase how much iron you process but it is also good to take that with a meal as well . If you take supplements with food they spend longer in the digestive system which increases how much and how well you absorb them.

Hope you start to feel better soon , Bee

[Sallyaches]

I have had low iron levels and anaemia since starting with PMR. I too find iron tablets hard to tolerate as they give me chronic diarrhoea. My G.P. Has now prescribed liquid iron which is half the dose of a tablet. I think this is the paediatric version. So far so good as I can tolerate it and may escape a trip to hospital for intravenous iron.. It may be worth you asking about this if you have the same problem

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sallyaches]

The i.v. ferritin infusions are excellent - one off instead of daily tablets. My husband had had a couple of them and it improved his iron levels without any gut problems - given anything would upset his gut that was a major bonus!

[Noosat]

for your low iron do try an iron rich diet