Iron liquid or injections...side effects?

[HazeyJaneII]

I take ferrous fumerate for low iron, but they give me really bad digestive issues, which means I obviously haven't been taking enough of them, as gp called today to say my levels were very low, and she talked about trying liquid, or having injections.

I forgot to ask if these have side effects too....anyone know?

Thankyou.

It was a long time ago when I had iron injections, from what I remember it was mainly they hurt & could feel the liquid going in, other than that they didn’t upset my stomach nearly as much as the tablet form, hope you better very soon.

How long have you been taking the tablets for?

I tend to have low ferritin but I’m not anaemic, it’s just due to years of being vegan! Therefore I have taken them for about 3 months periods multiple times, they always give bad side effects at first but you should get used to them

Thankyou
I did actually have iron injections nearly 20 years ago - and do remember them being really painful, but it was at a time when I was having chemo, so felt sick as a dog and like a pincushion anyway!
Glad to hear they didn't upset your stomach.
I've put feeling so rough down to lockdown, home schooling and constantly wondering whether I've got Covid!

I've taken them on and off for years, and have been taking them on alternate days for the last year. My iron levels have always been a bit shit, but I'm not sure they have ever been this low.

I have them monthly and have no side effects apart from two permanent bruises where I have the injection.

That sounds encouraging (although sorry for your bruised arse..)

I have my first infusion tomorrow and will update.

I'm sorry I didn't see your message @Milomonster - I hope it went ok.

@HazeyJaneII in my hospital room having completed the first infusion and I developed hives and itchiness. No other side effects yet.

Hope you feel ok, @Milomonster, and the hives and richness settle down.

Thankyou for updating

Itchiness...not richness (I hope you have lots of richness!!)

@HazeyJaneII thank you for your kind message. Itchiness didn’t last long and I’m now tucked up in bed. I can’t tell you how drained I have been over the past year from heavy bleeding and seeing my blood results hit home how anemic I was. My hematologist said it would take too long to get my iron levels back up using iron tablets. Definitely go for an infusion - can’t wait to feel healthy again. Drained has become normal for so long.

Here's hoping you start feeling loads better soon.
Its been odd how it's crept up on me, and it's been so easy to blame other things.
Have a good night @Milomonster

I take spatone liquid daily in juice. No side effects, easy and really effective.

Another vote for spatone here. Not the cheapest but gentle and easily absorbed. You can take double dose during pregnancy as well so don’t see any reason why anyone else couldn’t too if you need to get levels up quicker.
You need vitamin c to absorb iron so I pour the sachet in orange juice and can hardly taste it.

Unfortunately Spatone just hasn't cut it this time.