Anemic (vent) and heartburn question?

Natali25

So I was diagnosed with anemia last week and it totally sucks!! I knew something was wrong and my body just felt different. Always out of breath (like ALWAYS), seeing spots, feel weak and tired but not sleepy tired. I can't wait for the extra vitamins they gave me to kick in. Doc said it could take a good week, ugh!

And the heartburn thing is driving me crazy!!! I haven't had any issues with it until this weekend and was it bad. I seriously love spicy food and it always makes LO move but I guess I'm going to have to cut it out. It happens at the weirdest times, like hours and hours after I eat. Sometimes even when I don't eat spicy food. What natural remedies have you done to try to prevent or get rid of your heartburn??

Becky19

I'm anemic too, although only mildly and don't have any of the symptoms you mentioned. My only suggestion is to make sure you take a stool softener if you start taking iron pills. Iron can be VERY hard on the stomach.

 HB - there are different triggers for different people. To me it's worse at night so I sleep propped up. Eat small meals. Big meals are a big culprit.

LadyTurz

Are you me?! I am having the same issues. I was diagnosed as "slightly" anemic, so my doc told me to take an iron supplement. I  just started a few days ago, but didn't really have any symptoms like you, so I'm not sure I'll notice a difference. I bought an iron supplement that is "easily digestible" so hopefully I won't have any digestion problems.

Also having the heartburn thing!! It doesn't matter what I eat, every night when I go to bed I feel awful and have to fall asleep propped up on a few extra pillows. It seems to help at least a little. Try it! 

tigerlove85

I also was diagnosed with anemia a few months back and I experience awful heartburn. I never knew heart burn could be this bad until I was pregnant! Just a quick tip, that the nurse didn't tell me until last week! If you take malox or a similair over the counter heart burn remedy, it can cancel out the iron pills. I'm on a prescription iron pill, taken twice day. The nurse said to take several hours apart, along with the prenatal. No wonder I wasn't feeling better.

busywifey

my iron count was so low i have to take 2 iron pills a day.

i take tums for my heartburn and it helps so much!

tbmadeamistake

I was diagnosed as anemic a couple weeks back and tried iron supplements.  Miserable fail.  I felt better as far as lethargy goes, but had horrible stomach cramps/diarrhea!  Not everyone gets constipated, so what for any abnormal stomach reactions.  I've been told that I can increase my dietary iron intake and add two tablespoons of unsulphered blackstrap molasses everyday and I'll be fine.  So far it's working! 

Heartburn is miserabl!  I've been using mylanta mostly.  I also have the head of my bed propped up 4-6 inches on 2x4s that my husband cut to size.  Definitely helps and is way more comfortable that being stacked on pillows, which always makes me feel at an odd angle.  You can also try googling apple cider vinegar as a natural fix.  I know a lot of people who swear by it, I just can't stand the taste!

 GL and feel better!!

johnson617

I've been on an iron supplement since 27 weeks. I haven't had any issues with going to the bathroom, but was also given a prescription for Colace in case that occurred. Since I'm on the iron supplement, you cannot take it with antacids. Because my heartburn has been unbearable, my OB recommended I used Prilosec OTC as it is safe to use with the iron supplement. It's a once a day tab. I don't take it every day, but on days when I know I'll be eating more heartburn inducing foods, I take it. 

Jinnifah

I completely understand! I found out last week I'm mildly anemic as well. It's amazing how adding an extra iron pill has helped with the breathlessness. I can even carry a laundry basket up a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing.

on the downside I'm literally sh*tting bricks now....when I'm actually able to go. I have a sneaking suspicion I'll need some prep-h soon.

STL34

I was diagnosed with anemia during first tri.  I'm up to taking iron 3 times a day and still anemic.  My biggest symptom is being tired and sleepy.  I have some breathing issues, but they are unrelated to my being anemic.  You may want a stool softener or some prunes when you first start the iron.  I need them off and on but prunes really helped me out in the beginning!

I've had acid reflux forever (way before getting PG).  So, I'm no help to you!  I'm on prevacid because mine is so bad.  Diet changes never helped me nor did most acid reducers.

Good luck!

elbelle77

I go to a group practice, so I see a different doctor at each appt. Well, at my 27 week appt the doctor looks at my file and says "you know you're slightly anemic right?" umm no! No one told me! Apparently it showed up in my bloodwork from November! So I'm annoyed no one mentioned it to me earlier. She said it wasn't a big deal, just eat more iron rich foods. Well, I just went back in for my 30 week check-up and that doctor looks at my file and says I'm VERY anemic. Mind you he's looking at the same number the last doctor saw. He recommended an iron supplement in addition to watching my diet. So besides being annoyed that this has been an issue since November, but I wasn't told till end of February, I'm confused if I'm "very" anemic or "slightly." my number is 10.2. The 2nd doctor said he doesn't like to see below 12. Do any of you know what your number is?

Jinnifah

elbelle77:

So besides being annoyed that this has been an issue since November, but I wasn't told till end of February, I'm confused if I'm "very" anemic or "slightly." my number is 10.2. The 2nd doctor said he doesn't like to see below 12. Do any of you know what your number is?

I'm not sure exactly what the numbers refer to, but if you want a comparison. My dr told me most women are slightly anemic anyway, around 11.5. My number is 11.3 and he asked me to take 2 vitamins a day.

3timemama

I was also diagnosed with anemia last week.  My doctor told me to take an over the counter iron pill and to take it with vitamin C and a stool softener.  My heartburn is also unbearable!  I usually drink a glass of milk when it gets really bad, that seems to help calm things down for me.

Natali25

elbelle77:

I go to a group practice, so I see a different doctor at each appt. Well, at my 27 week appt the doctor looks at my file and says "you know you're slightly anemic right?" umm no! No one told me! Apparently it showed up in my bloodwork from November! So I'm annoyed no one mentioned it to me earlier. She said it wasn't a big deal, just eat more iron rich foods. Well, I just went back in for my 30 week check-up and that doctor looks at my file and says I'm VERY anemic. Mind you he's looking at the same number the last doctor saw. He recommended an iron supplement in addition to watching my diet. So besides being annoyed that this has been an issue since November, but I wasn't told till end of February, I'm confused if I'm "very" anemic or "slightly." my number is 10.2. The 2nd doctor said he doesn't like to see below 12. Do any of you know what your number is?

Yes, my number was 10 and my doc said 12 was normal. She didn't seem to concerned. I'm on a prescription iron/B12/folic acid supplement which is supposed to help with stool softening. I take it once a day plus my regular prenatal. They will probably check my hemoglobin levels again at my next appt to make sure it's working. She also told me it could take up to a week for it to be stored up in my system.

Thanks for the recommendation about the heartburn and iron. Had no idea it would have that kind of reaction.