Weird cravings.. Pica?

Re: Weird cravings.. Pica?

• tbmadeamistake member

  June 2014

  Sounds about right, Pica includes needing Iron and craving non-food items.  Definitely bring it up with your doctor.  In the meantime, try to up your iron intake? Molasses, spinach, red meat, etc.
  

  Married DH 7/30/11
  

  CSC arrived 5/7/12 
  

  CHC arrived 6/2/14
  

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• Read247 member

  June 2014

  I've been taking an iron supplement since they diagnosed me with low iron... Today was the first time I actually had to stop myself from drinking it.
  
  And I realized after I posted this that it should've gone in the symptoms thread. Rookie mistake!!!
  

   

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• tbmadeamistake member

  June 2014

  Eh, Pica can be dangerous, I vote having your own thread for almost drinking laundry detergent it acceptable .  I'd call your doc on Monday and mention it, in case they want to run blood work before your next appointment.  Waiting until Thursday is a long time.
  

  Married DH 7/30/11
  

  CSC arrived 5/7/12 
  

  CHC arrived 6/2/14
  

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• Mizoo member

  June 2014

  My midwife actually asked me at my last appointment if I had been craving anything strange like detergents.  She said pica is reasonably common in pregnancy and is usually a sign of iron deficiency.
  
  I'd definitely bring it up to your Dr. like pp's suggested.
  

  

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• cinnamonsmiles member

  June 2014

  As PP said, it is generally a sign of low iron and anemia, though you can actually crave food items singularly as well (I knew someone who craved plain popcorn and could only eat that, and the dietician I worked for diagnosed her with pica). It's more common to crave cornstarch, laundry sheets, dirt, or freezer ice (yes if you are craving ice that's pica!) but anything that is non-food definitely counts.
  
  And yes, get some iron in you - preferably the food route as others have mentioned (red meat especially), but a non-constipating-iron supplement would suffice too
  

  
  J14 Jan Siggy Challenge: Santorini
  
  
  

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• Read247 member

  June 2014

  Thanks for the advice ladies. I had only heard of pica as craving dirt, ice and chalk, but I don't crave any of those things so I thought I was losing my mind!
  
  I think a big fat steak and some spinach will be on the menu for tomorrow.

   

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• k318 member

  June 2014

  I have been eating cups of ice daily, although I eat plenty of red meat and spinach. I can't wait for this to go away since the sound of chewing ice irritates the crap out of me, yet i do it all day long.

  

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• iris427 member

  June 2014

  I've been compulsively craving ice and this exfoliating scrub I have.  I'm definitely going to bring it up with my doctor next week.  But yeah, it's really strange.  I feel like a crazy person.

  
  

  
  

  Big sister {September 2008} Sweet boy {April 2011} Fuzzy Bundle {ETA July 2014}
  

  
  

  
  

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• bmfell member

  June 2014

  I have been obsessed with chewing ice. I'm not anemic so I'm thinking it's because it's so hot.
  
  I also have been loving the smell of fabric softener. Mainly the smell of Gain. Lol! I haven't wanted to drink it but can't stop wanting everything to smell like it.

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• Jenn111211 member

  June 2014

  I've experienced this as well, craving chemical smells more so than actually wanting to drink them though. It takes all of my will power not to go under my kitchen sink and inhale the dish washer detergent and cleaning supplies!
  
  I thought I was going crazy so I asked my doctor about it and she said that this just happens to some women during pregnancy and that I shouldn't be concerned. Part of the reason I can't wait to have my baby is so this will go away! Also, I am anemic so that could be part of the reason you are experiencing this, OP.

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• chaysefaith member

  June 2014

  My iron levels were tested in the hospital after Jonah and were low. I spent about 4 weeks after that craving soap, literally carrying a bar of soap around the house from room to room with me. My SO started calling me "soapy" because I constantly smelled like soap. I started taking an iron supplement and the craving stopped.
  
  Definitely mention it to your doctor as it can be dangerous. But in the meantime, enjoy that steak!!

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• MrsCase1 member

  June 2014

  I desperately wanted to eat some Dove soap. I didn't. Normal pregnancy thing. It helped to take an iron supplement for me.
  

  
  

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