Help - iron tablet heartburn hell

[twiglet]

I feel like I'm being stabbed between my shoulders, heartburn/indegestion feeling is horrific since being prescribed iron tablets.

I've tried gaviscon, milk, peppermint tea, being upright none of which gets rid of the shoulder ache or horrible feeling. Been sick a few times of just acid.

I'm barely sleeping and don't really want to eat anything little appetite and even small amounts rather than meals makes me feel terrible. I'm 35 weeks so I know full well baby needs me to eat so I do try. I avoid the foods it says, I have to have orange juice with the tablets.

What can I do???? Really miserable at the moment

You can be prescribed Omeprazole it usually works great at preventing acid. You can buy Zantac (ranitidine) which worked for my sister who was bringing up acid. Prob better to ask GP which is suitable

I’m on a double dosage of omeprazole from GP - defo helps if you can get that . I also find raw carrots are the best food/drink to have - I find they really help oddly enough.

Try Apple cider vinegar in water

Another vote for Omeprazole! Absolutely amazing stuff and I don't think I could if coped through this pregnancy without it!

I’m taking Ranitidine (Zantac OTC) and it really helps, and GP said it was fine. Some days I still have to take gaviscon once or twice as well but it works when I need it.

I had thought about going to the GP but thought they would say no to an appointment for heartburn.

Will try to push for one I managed 2 hours sleep in total last night

10mg omeprazole is available OTC - pharmacists should be happy to discuss any concerns you have about taking it whilst preg

@twiglet - I went after two nights of 2 hours sleep, got emergency on the day appointment and they prescribed omeprazole within 30 secs, quickest appointment ever so I’d just go and do that ASAP if I was you. The sleep deprivation is awful

I'd doubt you can get either ranitidine or Zantac over the counter when pregnant - nothing is licensed for usage when pregnant so it needs a doctor to prescribe it. It may have changed since I last tried, but 2.5 years ago a pharmacist told me the only thing they could sell me was paracetamol and gaviscon....

Thanks will try for an appointment on Tuesday as working from home. My Dr's has a new online system for getting appointments so I'm hoping to pass the screening on that!