Heartburn / Postnasal drip / Low iron dilemma

[myreddressmydaughtersbear]

I'm 31 weeks. I've been suffering from breathlessness, heart palpitations and general weakness for a while. GP recently gave me a blood test and found very low iron. I've been prescribed 200mg ferrous sulfate 2x a day.

I'm desperate to get my iron up and feel better however since starting on the tablets on Wednesday I've had this awful productive cough and sore throat. It never stops, its like a continuous dripping mucus down my throat and I actually cough up horrible stuff. It seems worse after I take my tablet with orange juice as instructed.

I think it might be because of heartburn/indigestion which I have been suffering with as well but I can't take my normal gaviscon as much because it stops the iron absorbing properly so you're supposed to wait 2h to take it after the iron tablets.

I don't know what to do. I want to feel better but the iron is causing havoc and i'm up coughing ALL night now.

Just wondered if anyone else had similar?

Hi OP. I’d seriously consider getting a covid test first of all to rule that out. I appreciate other germs are available at this time of year. I have bad heartburn and congestion but not to the same extent. Each to their own though, not wanting to minimise your experience.

You could try liquid iron, your midwife/Dr can prescribe it or you can get it from Holland and Barrett’s or boots but it’s not cheap. I personally find it more gentle, the tablets give me chronic bowel issues but the liquid doesn’t.

@Hunkydory99 sorry meant to say that's the first thing I did! I've done one PCR and two lateral flow tests and all negative.

I also have both and prioritise treating the heartburn to be honest!

@MiddleParking honestly the low iron has been debilitating. I can't even put my hair up without getting out of breath and having to lay down.

Can you speak to your midwife? They may be able to give you an iron infusion - that’s what I had in my last pregnancy.

@CaramelWaferAndTea my midwives have been useless. Never even called me to say I was low on iron. My GP is testing my blood again in 2 weeks and if it is still low she said I will need an infusion.

Ahhh OP I’m sorry. So glad it’s not covid. Personally I find the liquid iron kicks in quicker than the tablets but I don’t know if that’s scientific or just me. It’s totally debilitating, be kind to yourself. Can you get some rest or take some time off if you’re working? I’m finish off a huge project and have a 4 year old and partner works shifts so I get it’s not that easy. I could get hold of the queen easier than the midwives up here it’s crackers

Hi OP, I have terrible heartburn and have been prescribed omeprazole for it which really works. I also have low iron and despite taking supplements it hasn't got better so I'm having an iron transfusion this coming weekend as I really can't take any more due to the constipation. It might be worth speaking to your antenatal team to see if these are a possibility for you too?

@Hunkydory99 ah glad it's not just me. Luckily I finish work at 32 weeks so only a week left now. My work days are actually fairly easy, it's my parenting days that are hard 🤣 I have a very demanding 3 year old also.

I do have some of the liquid iron so I am tempted to switch to that. It's only 100% of the daily recommended amount of iron tho, whereas I think the ferrous sulphate must be more. I just desperately want to get my levels up!

@sparkleandshine1 I may ask about that. It's only just got to the level where I need to take gaviscon 4 or 5 times a day.