Ferrous fumurate

[Odinboy]

Hi there, so I've been on gabapentin for nearly 5 weeks, now 500mg..haven't noticed a great deal of difference, maybe not as restless but still not sleeping great..hope they start to work soon.. My question is though, my ferritin levels were at 24 so my gp gave me ferrous fumarate 210mg for my iron levels and since taking them I have felt really nauseous, no appetite and unable to go to the toilet..Is this a normal side effect as i don't think it's the gabapentin..is there an alternative to this iron supplement? Thank you

[Joolsg]

Ferrous bisglycinate (gentle iron). And take every other day. Or, as your levels are SO LOW, ask for an IV iron infusion.RLS-UK has a printable sheet on Iron therapy.

rls-uk.org/useful-resources

Also take magnesium bisglycinate as it helps constipation.

Gabapentin average effective dose for RLS is 1200-1500mg so 500mg won't help much.

[SueJohnson]

As Joolsg said 500 mg is a low dose. Increase by 100 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that controls your RLS. I gave the following information to you before but since you were still on a DA at the time and probably not paying as much attention to how to take gabapentin I will repeat it here.

Take it 1-2 hours before bedtime as the peak plasma level is 2 hours. If you need more than 600 mg take the extra 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. If you need more than 1200 mg, take the extra 6 hours before bedtime.

If you take magnesium even in a multivitamin or magnesium-rich foods, take it at least 3 hours before or after taking gabapentin as it will interfere with the absorption of gabapentin and if you take calcium don't take it nor calcium-rich foods within 2 hours for the same reason

Joolsg's advice on the iron is right on. Gentle iron is OTC.

If you take blood thinners, iron binds with blood thinners, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the blood thinners and of the iron so check with your doctor. Otherwise, take 75 mg to 100 mg (which is elemental iron) of iron bisglycinate with 100 mg of vitamin C or some orange juice since that helps its absorption. Also take Lactobacillus plantarum 299v as it also helps its absorption.

Take it every other day as more is absorbed that way, 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 you take magnesium (or magnesium rich foods), calcium (or calcium rich foods) 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 turmeric as it can interfere with the absorption of iron. If you take thyroid medicine don't take it within 4 hours. It takes several months for the iron tablets to slowly raise your ferritin. Ask for a new blood test after 3 months.

[Odinboy in reply to SueJohnson]

Hi sue, no I do remember what you said re the gabapentin.. my gp has given me a prescription, advising me to take just 500mg, which will be 3 weeks I've been on that amount..So I can just start to increase ever other day till I get the correct dose? Ueah I'm definitely not taking the ferrous fermarate anymore as feel really unwell with it. I will purchase the alternate medicines tomorrow. Thanks for your reply

[SueJohnson in reply to Odinboy]

Yes you can start to increase.