Iron...what the hell am I doing?

I was very diligent in taking proferrin and tender iron for 6 months after my last infusion of Venofer in the hope of avoiding furth infusions. My ferritin level went from 97 (post infusion) to 64. I am stuck with infusions forevermore. Not a big deal for some folks, but my veins really suffered. Terribly painful, lost every vein used. For months after I could not stand to gloves ( I'm a nurse).

Good luck in finding an answer.

****!  You thought of getting a porta-cath to save your poor veins?  That really sucks mate.  Sorry to hear that you're having a crappy time of it.

I tended towards anemia as a preop so you know it didn't get any better post op. I take 2x the dosage 2 times a day except starting a few days before my period. Then I take it 3 times a day. Yes. When I get up in the middle of the night to pee I also take a double dose of iron. I can absolutely tell the difference if I don't take it and it only takes about a week for me to be able to tell.

Have you tried rx FERRO GELS? My ferritin was 4 and I started these ---about 2 per day. Within 4 months,my ferritin was 100. It's stayed there with one per week for the past 2 years.

I haven't heard of these! When I was in Kuwait it was whatever I could get shipped in and I always ordered in bulk. Now, 4 months later, I'm still finishing off the supply. I will have to look for these. Thank you so much.

I noticed it has soyabean oil in it.  Do you find yourself just ****ting it out? How long have you been on it?  I noticed the FDA are not fans of if.  I'd be intersted to hear how you came across it and how long it took to get your levels up. 

ingredients: blue 1 lake, gelatin, glycerin, hydrogenated soybean oil, lecithin, red 40 Lake, soybean oil, starch, titanium dioxide, vegetable shortening, yellow 6 Lake, yellow beeswax.

Each softgel contains:

Vitamin C (as ascorbic Acid)..............60 mg

Folic Acid.........................................1 mg

Vitamin B12 (as cyanocobalamin)......10 mcg

Iron (as ferrous fumarate).................151 mg

My hematologist wanted me to try it before we pursued infusions. About that time Rachel (rayehawk on oh) suggested it. I was surprised  how quickly my ferritin came up to 100. Like 3-4 months! Actually it got to 140 and I started to back off a little. For the past few years I just take 1 a week, as I think of it, and my ferritin has stayed around 90-100. No side effects that I could detect.

Kirmy, sorry to hear you're having this problem, Sweetie.  Others will give you advice on the iron questions - I gave up on that a long time ago and get infusions as needed - approximately every 2.5 years so far.

But, I'll gab at ya about the high PTH.  My D has been on the low side for ever and ever and my PTH has been waaay high.  I have taken up to 600,000 iu of VitaLady's dry D/day to no avail.  I am now working with a nephrologist (I TOTALLY recommend nephrologists over endocrinologists for malabsorptive vs hormonal D, calcium and PTH issues).  So, as I was sayin', my D has been low historically - and my PTH has been high, high, high.  After working for 3 mothhs with the nephrologist  all of my various different vitamin D levels are now GREAT!!!  But, the PTH has not budged.  Turns out I have PRIMARY hyperparathyroidism - caused by an adenoma on my parathyroid gland - and it turns out I do not have secondary hyperparathyroidism caused by low D levels.  I'm just sayin'...  not every health or medical issue is related to the DS or malabsorption.  Just a reminder, chickie!

Muah!