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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if this is an emergency?

257 replies

Soitis83 · 01/03/2025 20:56

Posting here mainly for traffic.

The last week or so I've felt terrible. Finally took an iron tablet and felt so much better.
Problem is that better didn't last very long so I took another one..then another and then another. All together 80mg, one packet is mixed with other things and one is just 20mg.
I've convinced myself I'm going to die. Please someone reassure me I'm going to be okay

OP posts:
Original poster
Soitis83 · 01/03/2025 21:12

StillweriseLH · 01/03/2025 21:07

So you’ve taken 4 Holland and Barret style multivitamin and iron tablets, not prescription?

and you’ve got an ambulance on the way?

I was quite surprised myself. I can't get there myself as I have three young children here

OP posts:
Barrenfieldoffucks · 01/03/2025 21:11

Agreed, iron is not a pick my up like caffeine or whatever!

I think the issue here is more around your anxiety, and understanding of risk. Have you done any research into standard medicinal doses etc? Am guessing not. Similarly, I'm guessing you didn't tell the call handler you'd taken 4 vitamin tablets, but just described it as 'an overdose of iron'?

I'm meant to take 600mg a day as standard...80mg is not ambulance material.

Fireangels · 01/03/2025 21:10

Soitis83 · 01/03/2025 21:03

It could take hours for them to arrive

Show quote history

Try not to worry. Ambulance response times are : category A (life threatening emergency 8 minutes on lights and sirens)
Category B eighteen minutes response time.
Category C non- emergency.
If you feel your condition has deteriorated, you can call 999 and speak to an emergency call handler who can change the priority if necessary. I hope you feel better soon.

valder · 01/03/2025 21:09

I can't understand how taking one tablet made you feel better. It's a long process to build up iron levels and OTC iron rarely cuts it, they need to be of prescription strength.

What does the packet say about the ingredients.

Howcoulduoudothsr · 01/03/2025 21:09

I take 630mg a day, every day. I have low iron obviously but they take months to work. Can't see what harm 80mg would do? Try not to panic.

Iron tablets wont have made you feel better, painkillers may have done but not iron. More likely to make you feel sick, odd thing to take....

StillweriseLH · 01/03/2025 21:08

The bigger risk appears to be your anxiety and poor decision making. I wonder if the ambulance is more for mental health than physical.

Hercisback1 · 01/03/2025 21:08

What?

None of this makes sense.

Iron tablets don't work like that, you don't instantly feel better.

Original poster
Soitis83 · 01/03/2025 21:08

The branded ones were taken at 5am, then two Holland and Barrett ones were taken at 11am. Then one branded one at 8:30pm

To ask if this is an emergency?
To ask if this is an emergency?
OP posts:
StillweriseLH · 01/03/2025 21:07

So you’ve taken 4 Holland and Barret style multivitamin and iron tablets, not prescription?

and you’ve got an ambulance on the way?

Barrenfieldoffucks · 01/03/2025 21:07

In that case I can't imagine it will do you any harm? Standard medicinal tablet is 200mg.

richardosmanstrousers · 01/03/2025 21:07

It could take hours for them to arrive

Take yourself to A&E then...

Anonym00se · 01/03/2025 21:06

Iron tablets that are prescribed by the doctor are 200mg a day so 80mg is not a high dose. I wonder why they’re sending an ambulance.

As pp said, iron tablets take weeks/months to work so if you felt better after taking one it must be a placebo affect. I hope you get sorted and you’re feeling better soon.

rubyslippers · 01/03/2025 21:06

Soitis83 · 01/03/2025 21:03

It could take hours for them to arrive

Show quote history

You have to get real life medical advice
try not too panic too much
distract yourself whilst you’re waiting if you can

Original poster
Soitis83 · 01/03/2025 21:06

20mg. They're from Holland and Barrett

OP posts:
Popadomorbread · 01/03/2025 21:05

Best to be checked, it is likely you will just have GI symptoms at the dose you have taken but the hospital will be able to monitor and administer iron chelator drug if needed. Please don’t panic you have done the right thing in seeking medical advice.

Barrenfieldoffucks · 01/03/2025 21:05

My iron tablets are 200mg tablets, and I am supposed to take 3 a day. (Rarely remember). So by that reckoning 80mg isn't massive? I must be confusing the units?

valentinoandme · 01/03/2025 21:05

Are they definitely only 20mg tablets? Or do you mean 200mg tablets?

Original poster
Soitis83 · 01/03/2025 21:03

rubyslippers · 01/03/2025 21:03

The paramedics will help you and advise you on what to do

Show quote history

It could take hours for them to arrive

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 01/03/2025 21:03

Soitis83 · 01/03/2025 21:02

111 have been called and they're sending an ambulance. But I'm so scared

The paramedics will help you and advise you on what to do

Original poster
Soitis83 · 01/03/2025 21:02

111 have been called and they're sending an ambulance. But I'm so scared

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 01/03/2025 21:02

Call 111 and get medical advice

Original poster
Soitis83 · 01/03/2025 21:02

Because I felt awful and they temporarily helped

OP posts:
richardosmanstrousers · 01/03/2025 21:01

Why did you keep taking them?

Vallmo47 · 01/03/2025 21:01

I would call 111 for advice OP because you’re not going to be able to relax otherwise. 🤗

Original poster
Soitis83 · 01/03/2025 21:01

Popadomorbread · 01/03/2025 21:00

Did you take 80mg in one day or over a few days?

One day

OP posts: