Ferrous sulphate making me feel ill

[Dede124]

I have been prescribed ferrous sulphate to be taken twice a day which I have been taking for about 3 weeks but they are making me feel unwell. I seem to have a constant headache and my head feels all fuzzy and generally just feel urghh.

My midwife has told me to up the dosage to 3 times a day then I just rang the antenatal clinic who have just told me to drop it down to one a day to see if I feel any better and then ring back in a few days ?! I don't know what to do because I really don't think it suits me

I am due to see the doctor at the antenatal clinic who prescribed them to me on the 31st of August for a review and I have got to have a blood test before and a scan. My iron is very low and my iron stores.

Has anyone had similar symptoms or got any advice?

Thanks x

Hey OP i can't take Ferrous Sulphate but i can take Ferrous Fumerate... i would suggest you see your GP and see if they will change you to another Iron tablet or even change you to Liquid Iron.

Although what you are describing are actually symptoms of low iron so maybe you are just becoming more aware now because its been highlighted that your levels are low?

Thanks @confusedat23 maybe your right about the symptoms actually being low iron that may be why the midwife said to up the dosage? I think I'll ring the doctors and see if I can get in to see my gp. Do you know if he will be able to see my iron levels in my book or on the system or will it just be logged at the hospital?

Thats a good Question Dede124 do you have a copy of your blood results in your notes? If you do he will obviously be able to see them ther but if not he may not be able to see them.

However when they prescribed the iron to you it should have been put in your antenatal notes regardless in which case he should be able to see why and how much they have prescribed.

Just as a warning they may switch you automatically to liquid iron (a lot of ladies end up taking this in pregnancy) which obviously is up to you if you can take it.

I do sympathise with you though as I am currently 28+3 and iron tablets are making me ill (I have been taking them for years and it has only been in pregnancy) so they keep trying to push liquid iron but I know I will just sick it up so trying to come up with a compromise!

I only take iron once a day and I can't remember what kind, but I figured out that taking it before bed pretty much eliminates all the side effects for me, even the digestive ones.

Thanks @confusedat23 I think it must be written down somewhere in my book for the gp to see so I'll see what he says. I haven't heard of liquid iron before but iv heard of the injections. I'll give it a try!!

And @Beachbaby2017 that's a good idea I will try that tomorrow instead of taking it in the morning an hour before food

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