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Original poster

Wife having trouble since taking iron tablets.

47 replies

Concernedhubby · 05/10/2018 10:16

Hi. I’ve never did this before and don’t even know if I’m in the right place.
My wife and I are about to start ivf and the nurse gave her iron tablets to take. Since taking them she’s had terrible stomach pains that come and go. She’s currently taking antibiotics for something else and never takes time off work but has rang in today and I can hear her really upset on the toilet. I don’t know what to do. Any advice please? Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Seeline · 05/10/2018 10:19

Iron tablets are known for causing stomach issues - either bunging you up or upsetting the stomach.
Suggest she asks the nurse for a different kind, some are gentler.

stellabird · 05/10/2018 10:20

Some people do have bad gastric effects from iron tablets. I'd suggest that she should stop taking them . Iron tablets are one of those things which are given to make sure the person isn't anaemic - they are not compulsory by any means.

MyYoniFromHull · 05/10/2018 10:21

They often prescribe ferrous sulphate as the first line (usually shiny white tablets) as they are effective at increasing the iron level but are often hard on the digestive system.

There are alternatives that are slightly less efficient but gentler on the stomach and bowels, like ferrous fumarate. Have a chat with the prescriber.

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IronicUserName001 · 05/10/2018 10:24

Drink prune juice, vile but it works. If all goes well then the doctor might prescribe her lactulose after a few months (after I begged them in tears, I can't look at another bloody prune!), that worked wonders for me.
Loads of luck with the ivf, it's tough but can be so worth it.

BrokenLink · 05/10/2018 10:24

Does she feel that she needs to see a doctor? Can you phone 111 for advice? If I had stomach pain I would want strong pain killers, a hot water bottle and to curl up in bed. Hope she feels better soon.

Original poster
Concernedhubby · 05/10/2018 10:25

Thank you all for your help. I haven’t worked out how to reply individually yet but all of your help is greatly appreciated. I will pass on all of your advice. Thanks again 🙏

OP posts:
IronicUserName001 · 05/10/2018 10:25

And tell her to eat dried apricots and figs and anything like that if she can.
🤞🏻

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 05/10/2018 10:25

I am taking ferous fumerate with no issues whatsoever. Maybe she could swap to those.

beenandgoneandbackagain · 05/10/2018 10:25

Spatone is a gentler way of getting iron into the system, and in my experience, better than the tablets.

It's available at Boots or Holland & Barrett.

Good luck with the ivf.

MadisonMontgomery · 05/10/2018 10:29

Ah that’s normal for iron tablets, should settle after a few days but if not ask for an alternative.

Original poster
Concernedhubby · 05/10/2018 10:35

Thank you all so very much. She’s in bed now and has saI’d she’s having no trouble as in going to the toilet.
We are taking all of your advice and going to ask for an alternative to the ferrous sulphate.

My wife is saying it’s got much worse since taking the antibiotics of which he has only 3 tablets left to take.
Thank you all so much. It may seem like just a post but to us it’s a comfort to know there’s support and advice out there. ❤️

OP posts:
Treasures · 05/10/2018 10:42

When I was prescribed ferrous fumerate I didn't listen to my doctor properly and took it at the same time as my Levothyroxine (for hypothyroidism) which I shouldn't have done. I spent a week in gut wrenching agony. Until I remembered what she'd said and made sure there was a minimum 2 hour gap between them. Just mentioning in case your wife is taking anything else that could react like this - possibly the antibiotics.

implantsandaDyson · 05/10/2018 11:05

I was told to take Feroglobin liquid/Floradix by a doctor. She thought iron tablets were too severe on a tummy. I just pick mine up in Tesco.

SummerintoAutumn · 05/10/2018 11:10

Another one here saying 'Spatone'. Recommended by an NHS dietitian for my daughter... her iron levels just tested as normal.

sabrinathethirtysomethingwitch · 05/10/2018 11:12

Iron tablets did the same to me. Another vote for Spatone sachets

sexnotgender · 05/10/2018 11:14

I take floradix tablets for iron they are much gentler on the stomach than normal iron tablets.

MargoLovebutter · 05/10/2018 11:17

The GP probably prescribed ferrous sulphate, largely because it is the cheapest iron supplement available. Ferrous sulphate is known to be very hard on the guts.

Your wife should go back to the GP and request ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumerate and see how she gets on with those. They are usually much better tolerated by the guts.

If you want to buy supplements, chelated iron bisglycinate is better absorbed than any of the above and leads to a faster improvement in iron levels.

Ideally, iron supplements should be taken with some Vit C, as that also aids absorption and can also help with constipation.

SomeKnobend · 05/10/2018 11:18

I had horrible stabbing pains in my stomach from iron tablets. You can get a liquid supplement called floradix which you can add to a glass of orange juice, it's worth a try.

irunlikeahipoo · 05/10/2018 12:30

If you go to tescso they have 34 2 on spa tone atm
I put mine in. Orange juice as on its own it’s vile

Dowser · 05/10/2018 12:33

Floradix might help
Green leafy veg is rich in iron...maybe a smoothy might help

Cyw2018 · 05/10/2018 12:36

If you can afford it try spatone instead (often on 3 boxes for the price of 2 at Tesco), apparently they use to be able to prescribe it on the NHS to pregnant women, but budget costs mean they no longer do.

Tinypause · 05/10/2018 12:41

Sorry...midwife here. Please don't waste your money on Spatone. You have to take about 20 sachets a day to actually get a decent dose of iron. They are a complete waste of money. There are other formulations that are gentler on the stomach so I would see the GP for one of those. Best taken with orange juice for them to be effective. If her iron levels aren't too low, she could probably consider taking one every other day. Best wishes for your IVF journey.

Argonauts · 05/10/2018 13:29

Please don't waste your money on Spatone. You have to take about 20 sachets a day to actually get a decent dose of iron.

My GP agrees. I don't personally have a problem taking the ferrous sulphate tablets as long as I don't take them on an empty stomach, but there are other options available via prescription.

MargoLovebutter · 05/10/2018 13:46

Tinypause I agree that Spatone is a very expensive way to supplement iron, but I disagree that you need 20 sachets a day to get a decent dose. Spatone is still in the form of ferrous sulphate but it has much better bio-availability than ferrous sulphate tablets, so actually you need a lower dose to achieve the same level of absorption. However, if your guts are particularly sensitive to ferrous sulphate, it probably still will aggravate to some extent.

Floradix has iron in the form of ferrous gluconate, so you can ask your GP to prescribe that form of supplement for you and get them much more cheaply than by buying Floradix.

I would argue that the level of Vit C available in a glass of processed orange juice is probably not sufficient to truly aid absorption and think that 1g or 1000mg would be much more effective and would also help with bowel motility.

beenandgoneandbackagain · 05/10/2018 13:59

I had very low iron levels in pregnancy - Spatone got them back up within a few days. It was recommended by my GP and my midwife . . . .