Iron & Constipation

Hi Cali,

I am having to take iron now.  Of course it has made me constipated.  I've been taking Benefiber all along since surgery and it's kept me pretty consistant; but now that my surgeon is making me take iron, I"m really constipated.

I heard that there is an iron tablet that  has a fiber/laxitive in it....I can't remember the name.

Anyone heard of it and if so, does it work?

I need to know ASAP LOL

THANKS!

Good Morning..

I am VERY anemic.. and have had iron infusions.. so I take a lot of iron.. one trick.. is take it FIRST thing in the mornign.. like I mean the second you get out of bed.. take it with at least 8oz of water..   this helps for 2 reasons.. one.. your body absorbs it best on an empty stomach and 2.. it will be digested more quickly..

next.. I have been using metamucil capsules.. I take my first 2 capsules about an hour after I have take the first of 3 iron pills.. then distribute the other 4 capsules along the day.. it helps get things moving.. literally..   also make sure you are drinking TONS of water the water really helps..

GOod luck.. and have a fabulous day

Hi Helen,   Thank you so much for the advice. I have been having problems myself with constipation and it seems like I have tried everything, with no luck.   I take SLOWFE 47.5 mg, so starting tomorrow I will take my iron first thing in the morning with 8oz of water. I will also start taking Metamucil capsules. I also take Benefiber, would you suggest me not taking that with taking Metamucil capsules? You take one capsules for every iron pill you take??   I also had Dr. Lamar as my surgeon, so I am assuming that either him or Pat said that taking the Metamucil capsules are fine???   Also, I do drink TONS of water…about 80oz a day….   Thanks again for the suggestion.    Michele

I used to take both metamucil caplets & benefiber once a day in a drink.. but I got moving TOOO OFTEn.. so I cut back to just the capsules.. and no.. the doc didnt recommend the capsules..

I actually was told to take metamucil... period.. it would help.. but I got a coupon in the sudnay paper to try the capusles.. so did.. and I just assume.. its the same.. in any case.. I am going pretty regular.. so it works..  

My regular primary is the one to recommended me taking the iron in the mornign for better absorption & the calcium thing too.. I take it right when I get up.. then do coffe.. a shower & all the usual..so by the time I get to my office I can take my multi-- works pretty good for me lately.. and my iron stores are FINALLY going up.. but I still get labs every 3 months

Good luck..

In addition to what Helen said, another reason you need to take the iron when you first awaken is because you don't want the iron the stop the absorption of calcium.  Generally, you should take iron and calcium 2 hours apart, even if the calcium is part of a multi-vitamin.  I take Vitron-C iron tablets.  It is more expensive ($14), but it is earlier to absorb, gentler on the stomach and causes less constipation.

Kim

I take iron each day. I also add three stool softeners from Costco in the morning with a glass of water. This works. If all else fails try good old fashioned Milk of Magnesia (MOM) the plain is NASTY the mint flavor is mint flavored nasty... but it works.

Ditto to what was already said........1st thing in the morning, with lots of water, and lots of water all day.

I am now on iron, and have to take 3 pills a day......ugh.

I haven't heard of any iron tablets with laxatives, but I take 3 stool softeners throughout the day, morning, noon, evening. And, if on the 3rd day I haven't had a BM, I take 1 serving of Milk of Magnesia. Usually by the end of that day, I have my "moment," and it is pain free.

It's those little things in life that I rejoice over...those special "moments!"

Have a great day

Oh, with the MOM, try the cherry flavor, it's very palatable!!!

My iron is SUPER low and I have had to start taking a high potency chewable iron (it's awesome).  What I do to help is take the Equate brand of Colace, 2 with my iron in the morning, and one at night.  I also use the clear Benifiber powder in my cyrstal light and try to include as much fiber in my diet as possible.  HTH!

Try taking some magnesium caps, you may have to experiment with the dosage.....