prescribed iron supplements... has anyone taken them and NOT had side effects?!?

[AnnaBanana25]

Hi all. Just been informed my iron levels are low and have to pick up a prescription for some iron supplements tomorrow. After looking at historic threads, I'm worried I'll be vomiting all over the place with cramps and maybe a touch of constipation...!!!!

Has anyone taken supplements and not had these horrible side effects?

Has anyone taken floradix as an alternative and had it work, ie bring your iron levels up?

Don't know why but this is making me really panic, I know its a small thing but I really struggle with pills as they make me feel sick at the best of times.

I'm on ferrous sulphate and they seem to be ok. (Although black poo comes as standard...) I second what's been said about Spatone, it's very easy to take.

Just wondering what is the standard dose most people have been started on? It seems 1 - 3 tablets can be prescribed daily in divided doses,I've been told to take one twice daily.
I'm taking a tesco pregnancy vitamin containing iron too, do most people continue taking other supplements or stop? The prescribing doctor said it would be ok to continue but having read all the warnings about overdosing on iron I'm feeling paranoid.
Until I was told I had low hb I'd been taking my preg supplement with my evening meal but always having a cup of tea afterwards, I'm wondering if dietary adjustments ,avoiding tea, taking more vit c when I take the tablet will help to increase absorption anyway?
Having been a bit constipated through the pregnancy anyway I'm also concerned about side effects !

Iron tablets made me feel awful in my last pregnancy. Stomach cramps, constipation and then diarrhoea. Not fun.
This time iron was only a little low so I've managed to control it well enough with diet. Usually I'm all for the proven medical solution but with a toddler to look after I couldn't face the side effects!

I'm on them too, and other than a slight change in the colour of number 2s I've had nothing.

I really think you should take them. It took me 10 weeks to get my iron levels up to 9.8 (they like them to be 10 before labour) and I don't think any of the more gentle options alone (like spatone, orange juice with dinner, iron rich foods etc) would have helped!
I'm 40+4 today and really glad I've managed to avoid an iron infusion

I was started on ferrous Fumerate tablets about 3-4 weeks ago and my iron level was 9.5ish. I was told to take 2 tablets a day. I haven't been doing though because I found I was getting very constipated and even passing some blood that I assumed was from newly acquired Piles. I dropped down to taking one tablet a day but then also having a Spatone drink. About a week ago though I decided to try taking 2 tablets again and over the last 2-3 days my stomach has felt really dodgy. I'm going from being constipated to then needing to rush to the loo with diarrhoea. I have a stomach ache almost constantly, have really lost my appetite and feel sick throughout the day.

I'm going to stop taking the tablets and see what my midwife says when I see her on Wednesday. I will carry on with the Spatone though.

I'm getting on ok with mine apart from black poo. Maybe a little constipation but manageable. My prescription is THREE ferrous fumerate a day, which seems quite high compared to some of you . My levels were 11.5, which is only borderline low too. I'm veggie, so I'm used to having low levels (blood donor folk have turned me down the last couple of times!).

I take a tablet with every meal, drinking orange juice. And try and eat as much iron-rich food as I can too.

One thing I did wonder: will they take more blood at some point to check levels?
dats, 29+5

I'm having my levels checked on Wednesday when I will have been on them a month.

I guess there are no guidelines as to dosages dats seeing as my levels was 9.5 and prescribed 2 tablets yet you were prescribed 3 tablets with a level of 11.5

I started taking 1 tablet a day, 2 days ago so besides lovely black poo am yet to discover the side effects. I'm a bit annoyed though, because my levels are 11.5 and my doc said they should be 12. Couldn't I have been allowed to try changing my diet first?

Blimey, my levels weren't even 11 following my 12 week bloods and nothing was said.

You'd think there be some kind of guidelines that all HCPs adhere to so we are all getting the same level and correct treatment

Clearly my healthcare providers are a bunch of giant sadists! They want me to get piles!

dats they do bloods again at 34 weeks in my health care area, but they may do sooner to check the meds are working. I've got the black poo but no other symptoms other than energy again wooo hoooo!

My midwife recommended FerroGrad-C, good for not constipating and easy on teh stomach (shouldnt be taken with food..)
Having no issues with them at all thankfully, and feel much better since starting taking them- more energy, less breathless etc..

If the ones you are taking arent working, try something else. I took Golfar (i think that's what tehy're called!) for about a week first off, and they tore the stomach out of me

Thanks, dizhin!