Question:
iron prescriptions
my iron count remains low, the chromagen that was intially prescribed is no longer avaliable. My family practice doc says to find out what the bariatric surgerons are prescribing and she is willing to do the same, otherwise it will be iron infusions every 6 months. — f_usery (posted on March 27, 2008)
March 26, 2008
I became very anemic after my gastric bypass. I tried to iron by mouth and
I couldnt do it. Constipated is not the word whicj cause da fisure which is
the owrst pain I ever ever flet in my life. I went for the iron infusions
for a while. Then I went to my OB and found out I need an ablation. I had
my period more than I didnt have it. That fixed everything. I actually even
was able to give blood last month.
— Joanc
March 26, 2008
REPLIVA ask for it. Rx iron, high absorption rate. Infusions should be a
last resort.
— SameButDifferent
March 26, 2008
I was anameic before the surgery because I dieted all the time. So I was
not surprised when it was even lower after surgery. My doc suggested
skipping the over the countre Iron that I took three times a day for
Building Block chewable or tablet Iron in 30 MG doses three to four times a
day. It worked better than anything I ever tried without constipation that
I got from the over the counter drugs. Order from www.BBvitamins.com They
make only Bariatic vitamins and Minerals. A good source for B-12 Chewable,
Tablet and under the tounge spray also.
— William (Bill) wmil
March 27, 2008
I'm in your situation right now...My doc is not a bariatric surgeon and
prescribed me ferrous sulfate which is the "by the book" general
iron suggestion for normal people who still have stomach acid and the first
part of their intestines to absorb it! (We DONT) Then she went on vacation
for a month so I have been researching all kinds of iron and will not take
the iron scribed...since the "Iron salts" do not work to do
anything but constipate and wreak havoc on your guts...After research I
narrowed it down to "Tender Iron" or carbonyl iron...It is the
purest elemental iron(not salts) and is patented with a small amount of
calcium citrate as a buffer as this is the only iron that is not affected
by the calcium....and is highly absorbable for bariatrics. It's not
expensive. And it's chewable and does not leave me constpiated or ill or
the taste of metal or blood all day. I take it twice a day and chew it with
vitamin C and I really have no idea how well it is doing...(my hands and
feet are warmer for the first time in years though!) My other choice was
another chewable "Iron as amino-acid chelate" Another chewable
one that does not bind me or hurt and actually tastes really good. It is
also bariatric recommended. I decided I had to stick with one and take
continuously for two months based on great reviews from many people...My
doc is against going straight for infusions...but she doesn't understand
RNY anatomy. I am HER teacher! I even give her the tests I want run on my
blood! We have to be our own advocates if someone doesn't know how to treat
you...you should know what you are up against. From all the amenics I have
spoken to...the oral form of iron will not work...and I am already prepared
that all my effort will not matter...but who knows? It's worth a shot
without the infusions and blood transfusions. I have one month left to try
to get my iron up...I have been eating all I can in foods high in iron too.
I wish you the best of luck with this...and me too!
— .Anita R.
March 27, 2008
Repliva is the latest of the Rx drugs. Normally, one per day for 21 days,
then skip a week. My WLS rx them at 3 per day, every day. Not all ins
like that. I take OTC iron, Tender Iron, 300mg elemental iron + vit C.
Iron & ferritin levels are precisely where I PUT them with this and it
doesn't ear me up. Costs about .25 per 150mg serving, so cheap.
— vitalady
March 27, 2008
My doctor gave me a RX for Foltrin. I was severly anemic and like Joan I
was having a period more than I wasn't and ended up having a hysterectomy.
— badkidzmom
March 27, 2008
The iron that works for me is by building blocks, which was mentioned
already. My level for the hemo went from a 6 in 2003 to a 13.7 last week (
the average is 11 to 15). I take one 30mg per day with the building block
multi vit. Calcium must be taken at a different time from the iron. Give
this a try!! I have been on this since my 2003 scare and remain faithful to
the regimen.
— L N.
March 28, 2008
I was severly anemic years ago and still have to make sure i eat plenty of
iron rich foods, my mother is the same way. Iron pills made me constipated
and i wasn't getting enough. My mom told me to take liquid iron. More of it
gets obsorbed, it taste ok and you only take a teaspoon at a time. I worked
great! I don't remember having any constipation problems with it. I'm am
pre-op right now so don't have the alterted stomach to deal with yet, but i
would think the liquid iron would still be a good way to go.
— Kristi H.
March 28, 2008
My surgeon said to use an over the counter iron called Vitron-C. I take
two tablets a day. They are about the size of a pencil top, but I still
cut them in half.
— Sandra M.
April 1, 2008
Hi Laurie, I'm anemic too! I had this problem since I was a little girl.
Since having the GBS there was no change in that area but I was advised to
take (Bariatric Advantage) Nutritional Supplements it's 29mg with vitamine
C there's strawberry and passion flavored chewable. I love the passion
fruit. I think you could get it for any drug store. You should still
check with your doctors. Good Luck!
— WandaB
Click Here to Return