Iron supplements dosage

[pennygates]

Is 20mg of gentle iron each night enough? It worked well the first night. What a wonderful relief it was. The second night it did work within 70 mins but returned within 3 hours.. I wonder why it didn't last as long? Would a slow release be better, like ferrous sulphate 325mg? Or will it need to be taken a while to get into my system

[Hidden]

Hi Penny, lately I have been taking 2x25mg capsules before bed. Several people on here take that much iron at night. You could probably safely double the dose one night and see if it makes a difference. Once in a blue moon I will awaken early with RLS. I found this 18mg dissolving tablet that seems to work faster for those early morning awakenings. I consider ferrous sulfate a waste of time. It is not a bioavailable form of iron. So if you do not want to double the dose every night you could buy this iron and take it those nights when the 20mg of iron don’t last you.

Please note that the iron does often bring welcome relief to people while they are still on the DAs, but there seems to be a point when the dose is so low or they are completely off the DAs that the iron is no longer enough. Since you’re also on an opiate this may not happen to you once you’re off the DA or on a very low dose.

Btw, the story I told you regarding Marlayna has a new twist. Turns out her worsened RLS is likely due to the HRT she’s been taking as of late and not necessarily the Oxycodone she is taking for neck pain. So that’s good news. I also consider your experience with the iron to be very good news. I hold out great hope that you will be able to keep your RLS at bay with a VERY low dose of Prami, Oxy and iron for decades to come. So many twists and turns in members lives - you just have to try to stay tuned because sometimes it could be life altering for you as well.

Photo of dissolving iron tablet bottle

[pennygates in reply to Hidden]

Hi Salem Lake,There ARE many twists and turns in our journeys, and lots of unexpected triggers along the way. Its good to hear that Marlayna has found the culprit in her case.

I'm sure you can imagine how happy I was to find that iron can work for me. That, as you say, I could potentially have a plan for life with the opiates and a dash of Prami.

I like the sound of the dissolving iron to 'top up' the iron in the wee small hours. Hope I can source some.

That, combined with the glucose spike plan, which I'm following to help with my sugar addiction, would be great. A book, 'The Glucose Goddess Method' by Jesse Inchauspé is a very broad, practical and realistic guide to help with the sugar cravings, which are a known trigger for RLS.

Thanks for your guidance again. Without the lifeline from this site, I would be lost.

[Hidden in reply to pennygates]

Waaaait, how did u sleep last night

[pennygates in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I did manage to get some sleep, sitting in the chair. I'm so deprived of it that I'm always 'napping' for a few minutes. As soon as I lie down, my legs start . I have to admit that I haven't slept in my bed for two years.

[Hidden in reply to pennygates]

so the iron really only worked (meaning a full night’s sleep) that first night you tried it? Second night was three hours and last night was just “some”?

[pennygates in reply to Hidden]

I had no RLS symptoms on the first night, symptoms started on the second night after three hours and the third night similar thing. I rarely can sleep more than a hour or two at any time. Taking the iron has made no difference to my sleep, but has helped RL.

[pennygates in reply to Hidden]

But I'm just grateful that I can rest and stay still. That's a massive thing for me.

[pennygates in reply to Hidden]

My doctor knows I can't sleep for more than two hours a night, in snatches. He told me to read or watch tv, or go for a walk, relaxation , drink chamomile tea etc. He wont prescribe anything for sleep. Says they only work for a short time. I darent drive, and feel exhausted most of the time. I'm so used to it, it's almost 'normal' for me.

[SueJohnson in reply to pennygates]

Lunesta can be taken long term whereas most of the insomnia remedies can't. It's non-addictive and doesn't cause tolerance. Ask your doctor about it. Not being able to sleep at night is terrible and sleep is important to your health. If your doctor won't prescribe it, consider going private and find a sleep doctor.

[pennygates in reply to SueJohnson]

Well I'm waiting for a private appointment with a well known RLS specialist, Professor Walker in London. I'm assuming he will also ask about my sleeping habits I will make sure he knows about it. But I'm not sure that he is a sleep expert. Lack of sleep is ruining my health already, and I feel that my health is in the hands of RLS and sleep deprivation. These also impact my other illnesses, Crohn's and arthritis, and bi-polar. Like so many others on this site. Thank you Sue.

[SueJohnson in reply to SueJohnson]

He specializes in sleep disorders.

[TobyTobias1 in reply to SueJohnson]

hi Sue, do you know if Lunesta is known by any other name in the UK please. Been on Zopiclone for many years and get it on prescription here , GP has no interest in RLS but said I’m addicted to Zopiclone? I’ve started reducing my Ropinirole a bit more by taking your advice and ‘shaving’ bits off as .25mg is too big a drop at this stage of reduction .

[SueJohnson in reply to TobyTobias1]

Another name is eszopiclone.

[Nanpat in reply to pennygates]

I agree with Sue, see someone that understands. It’s so unreasonable of him to expect you to have no quality of life. I’m sure he wouldn’t be happy living like that.

[pennygates in reply to Nanpat]

Hi, I decided to see a specialist privately, as I know my gp will never understand.

[Tawascan in reply to pennygates]

My rls has hit the road since I started taking Natural Factors, CurcuminRich, Theracurmin, I take 3 a day, evenly spaced. It has worked wonders on the rls and other inflammation/pain areas. I get mine at iherb.com. I do take the Gentle Iron also.

[Shumbah in reply to pennygates]

just thought I would mention about sugar addiction I have been enjoying Dr Gundry YouTube videos invaluable.

He showed my how to have my cake and eat it so to speak, my weekness was choc / mint ice cream.

I am no cook I am most allergic to kitchens but I followed his video and really easily made his recipe from Avocados it is delicious and creamy plus I don’t over eat on it because it is filling and gut friendly .Prior I could have eaten a box of 4 😂 now I really enjoy my bowl I make and freeze it in single serves.

I absolutely love what I am learning and it’s all science based he is a leading cardiologist

[pennygates in reply to Shumbah]

It's good if it has a scientific basis That's what I like about Jesse Inchauspé, she is a biochemist . Their methods are very clear and logical and make sense.

[Marlayna in reply to Hidden]

you all have inspired me to start taking iron again. I had stopped because I raised my levels very high. That was some time ago and probably should get back on the iron.

[Hidden in reply to Marlayna]

Hi again. Can you do me a favor and take the iron one time when you’re having an attack of RLS and see if it stops it in one hour like it does me?

[Hidden in reply to Marlayna]

Yes please! Stop the frickin HRT, take the Gentle Iron and give yourself some great, uninterrupted sleep for a change.

[Hidden in reply to Marlayna]

How is it going, Marlayna?

[Hidden]

The string of posts below is where I first began to realize that iron is somewhat of a godsend while reducing from a DA, but then there comes a point where more than just iron is needed. Though she doesn’t always mention it, Bganim still takes iron nightly along with Lyrica and Tramadol. Despite this regimen she still sometimes gets breakthrough RLS and swears by magnesium leg rubbing cream. I was dubious when I read about it. I bought a magnesium topical spray and tried it instead of iron. It didn’t put the slightest dent in the RLS. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try it. healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...

[pennygates in reply to Hidden]

Most things are worth a try at least. Thanks

[SueJohnson]

Yes you can take 2 tablets.

[pennygates in reply to SueJohnson]

Great , thanks Sue. I think it will help.

[wendersgame]

I'm confused... I assume iron supplementation is a long term thing and nit a quick hit. I.e. I take mine foest thing in the morning so I don't forget and so I have an empty stomach. I therefore wouldn't get thr night time "hit" from it. I assumed I'm building up my ferritin slowly and therefore the time I take it makes no difference?

Genuine question here.... does taking it at night make it more effective? Totally confused here as what I'm taking it for I assumed it would make no difference timings wise.🙂

[Bowie4eva in reply to wendersgame]

I thought exactly the same as Wendersgame. I’m in 325 mg ferrous sulphate every other day, my iron levels have gone up from 60 to 85 - wow - so a long haul, but doesn’t seem to make the slightest bit of difference - yet. Get RLS during the day as well as night, and have MS too, so probably related.

Wondering now if I should take liquid iron immediately before bed?

This forum is a godsend - thank you all. X

[Hidden in reply to Bowie4eva]

Yep, switch to nights and switch to ferrous bisglycinate. That’s my advice. I would try two 25mg capsules. It should relieve the RLS in one hour for one night if you are like many of us on here. The iron at night thing doesn’t work as well for people withdrawing from the DAs, on SSRIs, or people with certain co-morbid illnesses like CKD and possibly MS. Worth a shot don’t you think? Even if it doesn’t work you can keep taking it in hopes that higher ferritin may help.

[Hidden in reply to wendersgame]

Try just once taking it at night and see if it helps with the RLS, provided you’re even bothered by RLS these days. Should be ferrous bisglycinate.

[Dires in reply to wendersgame]

Like you, I thought it took up to 3months to see any difference with iron?

[SueJohnson in reply to Dires]

It does to raise your ferritin. A few people find it helps for the one night they take it, but it doesn't help the next night unless they take it again.

[Dires]

Hi, I’ve just replied to Wendersgame on this issue of drug dosages in the UK.

Only 20mg of ferrous bisglycinate (Gentle Iron) available in UK and only slow release 325mg of ferrous sulphate. Both not recommended by the USA part of the forum. It’s very frustrating.

I have been prescribed slow release ferrous sulphate 325mg by my GP but I have not taken it after asking Sue’s advice. It seems that it is not used in USA so it’s a bit of an unknown as regards to its efficacy in RLS.

[pennygates in reply to Dires]

I agree, it is frustrating to read conflicting advice between the US and UK guidelines

[SueJohnson in reply to pennygates]

See my reply to Dires below

[SueJohnson in reply to Dires]

Gentle iron is definitely recommended. And the reason I don't recommend slow release is you want as much of it as soon as you can since as possible rather than spreading it out. The only advantage of the slow release is it is gentler on the stomach but that can be achieved by switching to gentle iron.

[Dires]

Also, like you, I’m not sure if 20mg of gentle iron is enough

[pennygates in reply to Dires]

Hi Dires, Sue Johnson replied to my query. She advised that I could take more if it wasn't enough. So, 2x20mg gentle iron in my case. But ask, as we are all different. Someone more experienced than myself can help you with this question. Good luck

[wendersgame]

interestingly I just found this product available in the UK and Ireland - it calls it 'iron' biglycinate... It's made by Nutri Advanced (I use their magnesium powder) - it says 28mg of Iron biglycinate - I wonder is this any good....

nutriadvanced.ie/ferrodyn.h...

[pennygates in reply to wendersgame]

Hi, there has been a flurry of interesting questions and answers about iron recently. I have found they are all things I've wondered about. BTW is magnesium powder better for you? So many types of magnesium. It's confusing. And iron too. Thanks for the link, if it was meant for me?

[wendersgame in reply to pennygates]

So the magnesium I have is a powder. It's magnesium glycinate. There are many forms of magnesiumsand they seem to be for different things. I have the Megamag calmest which is meant to help anxiety/restlessness.

Nutri Advanced Megamag calmeze magnesium supplement

[Bowie4eva]

Thank you all so much.

My doctor here in the UK is changing my ferrous sulphate to ferrous fumurate next time 325 every other day - but I think I may try gentle iron at nights too, as my iron levels need to get up anyway. I too hadn’t realised it could provide immediate relief?

As it is now 24/7 with brief periods of respite, I am beginning to give up all hope, but anything is worth a try!

Thank you all again. X

[pennygates in reply to Bowie4eva]

I do know how that feels. It's such a cruel illness and is relentless until we can find something to help. I'm hoping the iron supplements might give some relief, even just for a couple of hours . It has worked to a certain extent with the intensity of the symptoms . Takes a hour or so to kick in. I hope it will help you.

[SueJohnson in reply to Bowie4eva]

In most cases it doesn't. Only a few people get that but it only lasts for the 1 night.

[Bowie4eva]

Thank you x