Anyone been prescribed Spatone?

[Imstickingwiththisone]

I'm 9 weeks pregnant and have today been prescribed ferrous sulphate as my blood count came back at 80.

I already suffer from chronic constipation so have bought Spatone as I've read great things about it. I can't really afford to pay £11 a fortnight for it though. Has anyone ever been prescribed it? I'm already buying my own movicol because I'm daft and won't just go the doctors because I don't want to be put on lactose and find it doesn't work and then have to return etc.

I was a bit to find out that Spatone is literally just water!

[Toomuchyogurt]

I had spatone during/post pregnancy, worth every penny. Prescribed ferrous sulphate which caused raging diarrhoea (generally causes one extreme or the other) midwife advised switching to something else, stumbled onto spatone, never looked back, though I appreciate it can be expensive

[dats]

My count dropped from 122 at booking to 100 at 28w. I wanted to try Spatone as I'd had a horrible experience on iron tablets following birth of DC1. Took 3 sachets a day, with orange juice, on an empty stomach etc and one month later my count had only risen to 105 so I've just started having to take ferrous fumerate instead, boo. But I'm 36+3 so I needed to sort it.

[Idontknowwhoiam]

My mam was prescribed it. Iron tablets didn't agree with her so she refused to take them. She told the gp that the spatone was helpful as she had bought a box to test it out and she's been on it for a few months x

[learnermummy]

I tolerate ferrous gluconate much better than ferrous sulphate- can you ask to try that?

[Imstickingwiththisone]

Wow thats impressive LBOCS. Its a shame it's not recognised by NHS as an effective treatment yet. I wish I knew when my next blood sample would be taken as I'm not sure I will see enough difference in myself to judge whether it is working or not.

[Imstickingwiththisone]

Mummy... Ive been prescribed 3 per day but after weighing up the cons; the poor absorption and making my constipation even worse, Spatone seems worth a shot. I was prescribed iron tablets throughout my last pregnancy and the levels never improved.

[LBOCS2]

My HB was 72 after a large PPH, and because I couldn't tolerate the tablets I started taking 2x spatone with an effervescent vit c tablet. I had a blood test to check my levels 3 weeks post birth and it had gone back up to 106. I think it is relatively effective.

[Imstickingwiththisone]

Ah I like all this positive feedback. I think it might have been on 3 for 2 when I bought it today but hadn't realised it would only last a couple of weeks so didn't take advantage of it! Once I've got my iron levels up ill only need one sachet a day so it'll last 4weeks then too.

Wish I'd known about it after I had my DD pendu. Always regret my blood transfusion as I'm unable to donate blood back now and didn't even feel that unwell at the time.

[Mummyme87]

Spatone is not enough if your HB is 80 during pregnancy.
One sachet provides 2mg, tablets provide 200mg and you would be advised to take two tablets per day

[Pendu]

I use it (paid) and it is worth every penny tbh. I was at blood transfusion level after ds1 and declined (as I was borderline) and the spatone brought me right up really fast. It's often 3 for 2 in Sainsbury's also . I've had tablets before and it doesn't absorb as fast, never mind all the other side effects

[cheapredwine]

I don't think it's generally prescribed unfortunately. It's 3 for 2 at Boots if that helps? Try asking for ferrous fumarate - I got very ill on sulphate but can tolerate fumarate with no issues.

[didireallysaythat]

DH is anaemic and is hopeless with tablets so takes spa tone. If you can get your GP to write a prescription that's great. We get it on subscribe and save with Amazon. But as PP suggested supermarket deals are good - use Mysupermarket com to find out who has it on offer .

[TiddlesUpATree]

I used in pregnancy. Really liked it. It often comes up in tesco/boots on offer.