Ferrous Fumarate Stories

[nlr2017]

Is or has anyone else been prescribed Ferrous Fumarate tablets for Anaemia during pregnancy?

I'm due to start my medication tomorrow - read so many horror stories online about side effects of taking them that I am now starting to feel a little nervous.

If anybody can share their experiences with me about being on this medication (good or bad), it would be greatly appreciated

I had severe anaemia when I was pregnant and took them up until my baby was born. Never had any side effects on me at all, got rid of the awful headaches too x

I had awful side effects on both the fumerate and the ferrous sulphate. Horrendous stomach cramps and diarrhea, I was stuck in the bathroom for hours at a time.

If you have any problems ask to be changed to ferrous gluconate, it's milder on the tummy and I have no problems with these

I felt very sick on them, changed to the liquid version and I've tolerated it much better

I'm on them currently for severe anaemia. Like a pp, since taking them the headache I'd had for over a week that nothing would shift has lifted. I have the usual constipation but rather that than the horrific side effects of anaemia for me!

I had them, they barely touched my iron levels. I needed a transfusion, which I narrowly avoided by taking spatone. It tasted awful but it worked so much better than the tablets! No side effects either.

Isn't it strange how different bodies react? I've been taking 2 sachets of Spatone everyday from 6-29 weeks pregnant, and my levels were through the floor (although did say would probably be worse if I hadn't taken them). I'm currently on 210 mg x 3 a day and my levels haven't risen yet but haven't dropped further either. I'm struggling with the low iron either way though - really hoping it doesn't get to transfusion stage! I'm currently planning my entire diet around iron rich foods as well!

Did they say how low they would have to be for a transfusion?

I took mine with orange juice (the iron is absorbed better) and avoided dairy for two hours afterwards. They did make me feel nauseous and constipated, so I also took lactulose.

I've been taking mine with orange juice, unfortunately citrus makes me vomit but I've been trying my hardest to keep it down!!

Last pregnancy they made me feel so awful I couldn't take them. This time it's been fine. No idea why.