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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Ferrous sulfate and the squits

10 replies

nailsathome · 15/05/2018 15:00

Does it get better? I can't keep going to the loo this often! I've been on them a week now and it's getting worse.

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SK166 · 15/05/2018 18:25

Ferrous sulphate is the devil. I was put on max dose early last year as they suddenly discovered I was horribly anaemic but I stopped taking them within 2 weeks because I just couldn't handle how awful I felt. I had the opposite problem to you but honestly it was worse than the symptoms from the anaemia!

I ended up going back to the doctor a couple of times to try alternatives and eventually ended up with ferrous fumarate solution which is basically the one they prescribe for kids! I couldn't stomach anything else. Did the trick eventually though - just had to take it for longer.

If you're really suffering, it'd be worth asking for an alternative.

In between all the appointments, I did buy the Feroglobin capsules from Boots and took those while I waited to try a different prescription and they said those, combined with trying to shovel as much red meat and green veg down as possible, did actually lift my iron a little. Something to consider longer-term if you're likely to need iron/B12 top-ups.

nailsathome · 15/05/2018 18:42

Thank you sk

I'm 30 wks with twins so have less than 6 weeks until elcs but I'm still not on top of the dehydration from hyperemesis so I can't be doing with it from the other end as well! I was almost late dropping dd at school this morning as I needed to go just as we were leaving the house.

How long did you have to take the ferrous fumarate solution for?

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SK166 · 15/05/2018 18:56

I think it was about 6 weeks in the end, but that was after a couple of weeks of high dose of ferrous sulphate, plus some lower doses, a bit of Feroglobin and all the meat/veg, so my iron had already come up a bit by the time I started it. Also this was long before I was pregnant so there wasn’t that pressure.

How low is your iron? Depends what your starting point is as to how long you’ll need, but I imagine if you’ve got a twin pregnancy and are coming off the back of HG then yours will be in your boots and they might not think you can afford to be on the milder treatment.

I’d go and speak to your GP ASAP if you can. It might be that reducing the dose of the ferrous sulphate will help. See what they say. It’s unusual though - iron supplements usually back you up horribly rather than giving you the squits!

If you can bear it, make sure you’re taking every opportunity to eat iron-rich foods as well. Obviously red meat, but also fortified cereals, any dark green/leafy green veg, pulses etc. Any vegetable sources, have them with a glass of orange juice to boost absorption, and take it easy with the dairy because calcium inhibits iron uptake.

MissReginaPhilange · 15/05/2018 18:58

Try the little sachets you can get from the chemist....i forget the name. They are easier on the tummy. I can't stomach any iron tablets as they give me horrendous heart burn make me throw up and give me the raging shits .

Spatone...thats what they are called

nailsathome · 15/05/2018 19:33

My haemoglobin is down from 118 to 98 so the midwife recommended iron therapy. I have no idea whether that is particularly low or not. I didn't even see my gp - there are never any appointments so they just looked at my blood test results and put me on 200mg 3xdaily. I'll give them a call tomorrow but no doubt it will just be another message left.

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Bluebirdsky · 15/05/2018 19:57

You need vitamin C in order for iron to be absorbed otherwise it will just pass straight through you. Maybe try taking it with some fruit juice and see if that helps?

ThePug · 15/05/2018 20:11

Ferrous sulphate is awful - costs peanuts which is why it's the first one usually prescribed. Ask for ferrous fumarate instead (I'm on the tablets which I find fine, never got as far as having to try the liquid version).

Mousefunky · 15/05/2018 20:23

Urgh yeah it’s horrible. It either gives me the shits or constipation and when I do go it’s like tar. I hate it. Try spatone which is much gentler.

nailsathome · 16/05/2018 18:30

Thanks everyone. I definitely can't keep taking it! I'm at the hospital tomorrow so I'll speak to them about alternatives and will see if I can get some spatone too.

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Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 16/05/2018 18:34

I had the opposite problem! It did settle down though, but I suppose constipation is easier to address through diet etc. Definitely ask about other options - Spatone won't be enough if you are actually anaemic, but ferrous fumerate might sort it out.

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