Anyone else been prescribed ferrous fumarate?

[kinkytoes]

I was diagnosed with anaemia this week and have started taking the tablets. Sad to say I think the inevitable constipation has already started.

Apart from more medicine ie lactulose, are there any foods or drinks I could be eating/drinking to help things along? Is anyone else in the same boat?

[PreAdvent13610]

Figs, taste like sweeties and contain even more iron.

[CadenceRoastingByAnOpenFire]

Hi, yes I had this issue when pregnant, it's awful. There's an iron supplement you can take that won't affect your bowels, it's called spa tone but unfortunately most gps won't prescribe it and it can be quite pricey. I get mine in boots where it's three for two. There's also a syrup type drink that gps will prescribe but I didn't like the taste at all.

[Haggisfish]

You can get a liquid formulation that is less likely to cause constipation. Tastes utterly foul though.

[3littlefrogs]

Lactulose - lots of it, and prunes. Drink loads of water.

Do NOT try high fibre cereal. You will end up with something akin to the Rock of Gibralter firmly stuck in the system.

[kinkytoes]

Thank you ladies. I did try spatone earlier in the pregnancy and unfortunately it had the same effect.

Would eating figs make me overdose on iron, or isn't that possible?

[hugofalls]

I have been using ferrous fumerate for about six months and not had any issues with constipation, didn't know this was supposed to be an issue. I do eat a lot of fruit daily and drink a lot of water regularly.

[waitingimpatient]

I'm not pregnant (ttc via IVF) but I on ferrous fumarate as was anaemic due to heavy periods caused by thyroid issue.
I couldn't handle ferrous sulphate it make me sick. Fumarate suits me better but does cause constipation for which I take movicol and it's really helped. I think it's suitable in pregnancy too so worth asking your gp

[canyou]

Figs and loads of fruit (dont worry about the sugar) I drank veg and fruit juices and smoothies every day
Nothing binding so no eggs or marshmallow foods and drink loads of water or herbal tea. Liquorce (sp?) Is good

[PreAdvent13610]

You wont over dose on iron.
Eat figs and prunes plus some fresh fruit. Drink enough fluids and do avoid the high fiber cereal.
If you have a cast iron wok or balti pan use it. It gets extra iron into your diet.
The sooner you get you iron levels up the quicker you will feel better (more energised) and be able to stop the ferrous femerate.

[kinkytoes]

Thanks everyone this is really helpful. Shall get some figs and prunes and drink more.

I think Hugofalls' post speaks volumes!

[Tapirbackrider]

Something to remember is that Vitamin C helps to increase the absorption of dietary iron, so drinking citrus juices or eating foods high in vit c will help get your levels up.

[Picklesauage]

I take these iron tablets a lot (bad periods!) but also whilst pregnant. I only get constipated whilst pregnant though.

I know you don't want to take more meds, but meds were the on,y thing that kept me moving when pregnant (3 separate pregnancies).
Movicol (also called Laxido) is what has made everything manageable. I used to take half a sachet a day for the whole pregnancy. Lactolose does nothing in my experience!

[Me624]

I'm also on this and the GP prescribed me Movicol. I tried Lactulose before but it didn't really help me that much, plus I couldn't bear the taste, bleugh. Movicol is a powder you mix into a drink so at least it can be disguised in squash etc! It works really well for me (a bit too well actually, I'm fiddling around with the dosage to try and stop me from going the other way into diarrhoea!)

[kinkytoes]

That's another concern of mine Me I could really do without that too! Had both problems in the first trimester without any meds at all and it was thoroughly miserable!

[Tfoot75]

I thought that ferrous fumarate was supposed to be kinder on the digestive system than ferrous sulphate? If you are only mildly anaemic and not having many symptoms then perhaps try reducing the dose. I have been prescribed 3 x 200mg ferrous sulphate per day before but find that far too much but found that symptoms ok long term taking one tablet per day and it doesn't cause any other issues on that dose (is still several times rda of iron).

Depends how anaemic you are, if feeling out of breath/headaches etc then worth taking full dose for a while until you feel better!

[londonrach]

Gp moved me onto those from my regular iron tablets when i got pregnant.

[1frenchfoodie]

Second the suggestions of figs, prunes, fruit (veg also good). I am on 2x 200g ferrous sulphate and no side effects but do eat in excess of 5 a day fruit/veg and have added a portion of prunes daily since I started the tablets.. Mideife did say try one only if I was suffering sideeffects so worth getting a view from yours on whether a lower dose woukd be okay for you too.

[whatsoever]

I wasn't anaemic but had low iron stores and got prescribed this. Gave up after less than a month, the constipation was unbearable and gave me a fissure. All natural remedies failed and just gave me reflux! Have been on gaviscon and lactulose daily for the last 5 months as still suffering and every time the GP or midwife queries why I'm not taking the iron tablets I nearly murder them

I can't even tolerate the iron in Pregnacare so didn't end up trying the Spatone.