pregabalin and iron

[e365]

Hello,

I have tried googling if there is any interaction between pregabalin and iron but can’t find anything. I take an iron tablet due to low iron (morning and it has not helped) but will switch to iron bisglycinate at night after reading posts here. I stop eating at 6:30pm so I can take my pregabalin around 8:30/9pm and go to bed around 10 or 11. When can/should I take the iron and most importantly does anyone know of any interactions or have experienced any? I’m at my wits end with the horrible affliction and trying everything. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and hoping for medical breakthroughs in rls in 2024!

[SueJohnson]

There is no interaction between pregabalin and iron. However you should only take your iron once a day. Take it every day at the same time so it is at least 24 hours apart since when you take it hepcidin is released which prevents iron from being absorbed for up to 24 hours. Take 50 mg to 75 mg of iron bisglycinate with 100 mg of vitamin C or some orange juice since that helps its absorption, preferably at night at least 1 hour before a meal or coffee or tea and at least 2 hours after a meal or coffee or tea since iron is absorbed better on an empty stomach and the tannins in coffee and tea limit absorption. If your transferrin saturation is below 20, you may need an iron infusion. If you take magnesium, calcium or zinc even in a multivitamin, take them at least 2 hours apart since they interfere with the absorption of iron. Also antacids interfere with its absorption so should be taken at least 4 hours before the iron or at least 2 hours after. Don't take your iron tablets before or after exercise since inflammation peaks after a workout. Don't take tumeric as it can interfere with the absorption of iron or at least take it in the morning if you take your iron at night. If you take thyroid medicine don't take it within 4 hours. It takes several months for the iron tablets or iron infusion to slowly raise your ferritin. Ask for a new blood test after 8 weeks if you have an iron infusion or after 3 months if you are taking iron tablets.

Since your TSAT was 17% you really need an iron infusion.

[e365 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks for your reply and expertise in matters relating to rls, Sue, I really appreciate it. I will take the iron starting tonight. The tablets I bought have vit C in them. Do I still need to drink oj with them? My doctor refuses to send me for a transfusion and because the med system is gov run I just have to accept….

[SueJohnson in reply to e365]

No if they have vitamin C in them that is enough. Be sure they have enough elemental iron in them. Most of the iron tablets with vitamin C don't. If you are unsure, give me the name of them and the mg and I can tell you.

[e365 in reply to SueJohnson]

Hi Sue, thanks. The iron tablets are called Hemofer by Pharbio. 1 tablet contains 13.5 mg iron and 40mg vit c.

[SueJohnson in reply to e365]

As I suspected, that has way not enough elemental iron. You need 65 mg. You would need to take 5 tablets

[e365 in reply to SueJohnson]

ugh, thanks. So do you think there is any harm in taking 5 tablets? It would be a very interesting experiment to see if it helps but I don’t want to do anything stupid.

[SueJohnson in reply to e365]

that should be fine.

[e365 in reply to SueJohnson]

I took 3 tablets just out of precaution. I’m very careful taking any meds or supplements. Maybe it was a placebo effect but I thought my pain was slightly better. I’ll try 4 tonight. I’ll order a different brand with higher iron online. Thanks again for your advice.

[Taviterry in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks, Sue, useful to me as well (I hope) as to the OP. Though I did sigh at your references to antacids and tumeric - more juggling of taking what when! I'm at the stage of trying to work out whether years of taking ferrous ferritin might be damaging my stomach and how to combat anaemia. I'm awaiting the result of a test for iron.

(No need to reply to me, as I don't wish to further sidetrack this thread.)

[SueJohnson in reply to Taviterry]

Since I advised E365 on taking iron every day I did more research and discovered I was wrong. One absorbs more iron in alternate day iron than taking it every day. Https://thelancet.com/journals/lanh...

[Taviterry in reply to SueJohnson]

Interesting, Sue, though the research featured women - I'm a fella! As it happens, I'm roughly alternating my intakes of iron, sometimes taking liquid forms providing perhaps 25mg, then on the next day a 322mg ferrous fumarate pill (providing 105mg elemental iron). After some detailed blood tests, my gastroenterologist wondered whether I needed to take iron supplements, and I await an appointment with a haematologist on March 5.

(Confession: I've wandered into the wrong part of this forum, which I originally joined after I had a new heart valve fitted in July. My current situation relates to slight anaemia with occasional alarming drops in energy. But the discussion in this thread has been useful to me. Thanks.)

[KevinPhillipsBong]

e365, have you asked your dr to investigate Guillain-Barre Syndrome? My feet, legs, hands, back felt like my blood was on fire, i also had decreased skin sensation (cool smooth sheets felt like an out-of-body sensation, hot water was barely registering, i didn't feel cold although it had been winter). I could not rest, took myself to emergency to ask for tests and sleeping tablets... it was more painful than walking around. Dr did not recognise symptoms.... I had sudden onset of facial paralysis but more common is slow limb paralysis... so get onto it quick, i was admitted and with 36 hours they started me on 5 x daily IVIg treatments, stopped the paralysis almost immediately and I could sleep 😴

[e365 in reply to KevinPhillipsBong]

Hi Kevin, Oh my goodness- what a story! I’m pretty sure they checked for that. I’ve had my symptoms for almost 5 years now and your description doesn’t really match my symptoms except for the burning. And my burning is only at night. I hope you’ve made a full recovery and thank you for writing.

[SueJohnson]

Since I advised you on taking iron every day I did more research and discovered I was wrong. One absorbs more iron in alternate day iron than taking it every day. Https://thelancet.com/journals/lanh...

[e365 in reply to SueJohnson]

Hi Sue,

Thank you. I’ve read the same thing. Unfortunately I haven’t noticed a difference since taking iron. Do you know how long it takes to take effect if it is going to help?

[SueJohnson in reply to e365]

It can take several months. That's why they say wait 3 months to have another test. And even then you may not find it above 100 and have to continue with the iron.

[e365 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you for your help. I’ve now recently switched to Solgar brand after seeing many here recommend it. Was on Duroferon for months but stopped awhile back as I didn’t notice a difference.