PSA: iron supplements are amaaaazing

wtfisup · February 2014

So, I had been taking them sporadically and switched to daily. Energy improved! Appetite more normal! I can focus and do stuff through the entire workday!

If you're exhausted or constantly ravenous, I recommend giving them a shot.

snowpants · February 2014

LOL @krptcmschfmkr128!

Glad they're helping @wtfisup! Iron supplements always make me crazy nauseous.

flojo973 · February 2014

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

Stock up on stool softeners!

I was going to say the same thing! Everything good comes with a price...

xnbride · February 2014

what stool softener do you all use and how often?

babygabe614 · February 2014

If my PNV has Iron in it, shouldn't that be enough or do you take a PNV plus additional Iron? I am constantly hungy and exhausted but soooo fearful of the constipation associated with the Iron supplements. It has taken me 2 different kinds of fiber supplements + stool softeners + magnesium supplements DAILY just to get me going semi-normal (like 2-3x/week). I don't know if I can go down that road again....

jewels1199 · February 2014

I havent had a problem with them yet either thank goodness ! No colace needed so far !

wtfisup · February 2014

Okay? I have been constipated. But it's still better than being a zombie. My energy is 900 times higher.

What stool softener do you guys use?

(I never thought that I'd be asking this question in my 20s. Or before 70.)

LegalLadyBug · February 2014

I disagree, iron infusions are the best lol. All the benefits of supplements and no constipation. But seriously ladies, keep up with your iron, even if if means stool softeners. Nobody actually wants to have IV iron infusions :-/

lest12 · February 2014

babygabe614 said:
If my PNV has Iron in it, shouldn't that be enough or do you take a PNV plus additional Iron? I am constantly hungy and exhausted but soooo fearful of the constipation associated with the Iron supplements. It has taken me 2 different kinds of fiber supplements + stool softeners + magnesium supplements DAILY just to get me going semi-normal (like 2-3x/week). I don't know if I can go down that road again....

@babygabe614 - I might be wrong but I don't think you need both unless you're anemic, right? 1 shooooouuuullld be enough.

I am anemic, and do have to agree, the extra iron supplements were a huge turning point with how I was feeling. Energy, yay!

And not to be a jerky unicorn, but I keep waiting for the constipation problem that never comes. Knock on wood.

tbmadeamistake · February 2014

Iron supplements give me the runs badly enough that they made me stop taking them for fear of dehydration last time. Not everyone gets constipated. I ended up on unsulfured molasses everyday, a tablespoon or two. Made a huge difference without the side effects.

katekat8721 · February 2014

Rach how is that possible to poo once every six months?!?! Omg I start panicking after a few days haha.

I'm not LoHerrim but I know my shit (heh). Colace is a pill. But the generic store brand is the same thing and cheaper. Just drink lots of water, since it pulls the water from your intestines to help soften the poo and make it easier to go. It's not a laxative, no worries!

BrooknCory · February 2014

Every six months is crazy!

SandraPB1220 · February 2014

xnbride said:
what stool softener do you all use and how often?

MiraLax, usually every other day, every 3 days. Was using it every day for a few weeks.

SandraPB1220 · February 2014

Also, I don't know if you guys know that iron supplements will make your poop black. Just so you don't get scared. It's normal.

wtfisup · March 2014

Alright, I'm back here to update:

I went on the iron supplements and felt SO MUCH BETTER.

Then came the constipation. Adding fiber and drinking water didn't matter -- I eat lots of fruit and grains and water as is.

I went off the iron pills.

I felt like total wilted garbage death. So little energy.

I went back on the iron and added stool softener to the mix. Really, it wasn't a big deal: 1 iron tablet + 2 stool softener capsules.

SO MUCH WIN! Not constipated and have energy. So worth it.

Jennys9 · March 2014

I take iron supplements, but sporadically because I'm not a fan of constipation!

Remember: Milk, dairy, and some stomach medications (antacids, stomach meds such as omeprazole, lansoprazole) inhibit the absorption of iron - so don't take anything you plan to get iron from anywhere near dairy or you negate the results!

Also, some people who think they are iron deficient, are vitamin A deficient. Vitamin A helps release iron from stores in the body, so not enough can cause an iron deficiency. More reason to eat lots of carrots every single day!

ChristineBaker23 · March 2014

My prenatal has colace (docusate sodium) in it! Whoohoo! Citranatal Assure! I just had to start taking iron (I was prescribed integra F) and was expecting to be super duper constipated but so far I poop more than I did before. Weird right? But I am definitely not complaining.

ChristineBaker23 · March 2014

babygabe614 said:
If my PNV has Iron in it, shouldn't that be enough or do you take a PNV plus additional Iron? I am constantly hungy and exhausted but soooo fearful of the constipation associated with the Iron supplements. It has taken me 2 different kinds of fiber supplements + stool softeners + magnesium supplements DAILY just to get me going semi-normal (like 2-3x/week). I don't know if I can go down that road again....

ALWAYS talk to your doctor before adding supplements. If you're iron isn't low then there is no need to take a supplement. It is possible to overdose on vitamins. If you are feeling lethargic or become short of breath doing regular activities (like going up a flight of stairs) then definitely talk to your doctor. Don't self diagnose, especially when pregnant. I am taking iron and a prenatal but that's with doctors orders.

wtfisup · March 2014

ChristineBaker23 said:

If my PNV has Iron in it, shouldn't that be enough or do you take a PNV plus additional Iron? I am constantly hungy and exhausted but soooo fearful of the constipation associated with the Iron supplements. It has taken me 2 different kinds of fiber supplements + stool softeners + magnesium supplements DAILY just to get me going semi-normal (like 2-3x/week). I don't know if I can go down that road again....
ALWAYS talk to your doctor before adding supplements. If you're iron isn't low then there is no need to take a supplement. It is possible to overdose on vitamins. If you are feeling lethargic or become short of breath doing regular activities (like going up a flight of stairs) then definitely talk to your doctor. Don't self diagnose, especially when pregnant. I am taking iron and a prenatal but that's with doctors orders.

I added iron become my current PNVs are the gummies that don't have any in them. Iron is such a huge need in pregnancy.

ElTrain5 · March 2014

I just had a shot of wheat grass added to my Jamba Juice because of this thread. Apparently it's super high in iron. It also cost me $9. That is all.

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PSA: iron supplements are amaaaazing

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