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Anemia, and what can I do to get my iron up?

FrozenMommyFrozenMommy member
in High-Risk Pregnancy
My iron levels were low again, after a month of being on iron. I really HATE the iron pills, as they upset my stomach, even with food, and make me terribly constipated. The doc put me on more iron, more stool softeners, also amoxicillan for a sinus infection, and another med for the yeast infection that the amox will cause. Good part about anti-biotics is it cleaned me out last night, but as soon as I stop taking them, back to the cycle of iron and no pooping. Sorry to be so graphic, but I need some tips here. 

What works to raise my iron levels. I kind of feel like my high fluid cause could be the baby having anemia too. They said that I can totally pass it to him. Especially since my blood sugar has been controlled. What a mess I feel like right now. So if I eat like a bag of spinach a day, will that help any? Help!
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Re: Anemia, and what can I do to get my iron up?

  • PlainJane8350PlainJane8350 member
    That's all I can think of, eating more foods that contain iron. Bless your heart, though, it's sounds like you've been through the ringer! Iron is really hard on your stomach. My best friend's not pregnant, but she is anemic. I'll see if she has any tips and let you know. Do you like meat? I think even turkey contains iron.
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  • PlainJane8350PlainJane8350 member
    Just talked to my friend and she said that watermelon has a lot of iron in it!
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  • PlainJane8350PlainJane8350 member
    She said, "Tell her to take Slo-Fe iron, it's very gentle on the tummy it's what I take."
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  • FrozenMommyFrozenMommy member
    Slo-fe, ok never heard of it. What I did was got the Flintstone vitamins. My perinatologist had me take them during my first, 4 times a day. It's like 500% iron, and it's Ferrous Fumate rather than sulfate. So hopefully that will help. Yes I love meat. I eat turkey, red meat or chicken daily. Sometimes 1 of each lol. But still can't get it up. Make turkey chili last night with different beans and lots of spinach. Was really good on my sugar too, in fact it was really low after dinner, that was interesting. So perhaps I could live off that chili for the rest of my pregnancy, lol! I'll get on the watermelon because I loooove it. And luckily in CA, I can get whatever produce. Thanks for the tips!
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  • PlainJane8350PlainJane8350 member
    You're welcome! She said that whatever iron she was on was upsetting her stomach, too. A pharmacist recommended the Slo-Fe.
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  • CoCoRevisCoCoRevis member
    This pregnancy, I found I was severely anemic (FYI, I had weight loss surgery over 4 years ago which makes it difficult for me to absorb iron and other vitamins). I upped my iron significantly under doctors orders (130 mg) and began iron infusions 2x weekly. I will have a scheduled c section and have some other issues, so my OB wants me to being my iron up quickly. Ask your doc if that is an option...it is unpleasant, but if it helps u and baby all the worth it. Also, ask your OB what is the best iron to take. Most otc irons are sulfate and there's others that absorb better.
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  • CoCoRevisCoCoRevis member
    My doc steered me clear if Flintstones vitamins because they are mixed with other vitamins, which makes it harder to absorb...they may counter. She suggested iron separate from all vitamins. Take it with Orange juice and make sure to never take with any dairy or within 2 hours of eating dairy.
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  • FrozenMommyFrozenMommy member
    I am not taking any other vitamins now, just the flintstones. I can't drink OJ, GD. I mean I could take more insulin and drink some I guess, but why chance it spiking me. Plus I kinda hate OJ, burns my throat. There has to be other sources of vitamin C. I was going to get some OTC gummies, but then I thought I will just try the flintstones first for a month, and if that doesn't work, we will try something else I guess. We are testing my iron and A1C monthly so I will go in 3 weeks to test again.
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  • PhoenixJewelsPhoenixJewels member
    GD here too, you can get otc vitamin c tablets and take 1 of those with your iron supplements. Just run it past your doc first but it should be ok.
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  • ZaphinaZaphina member
    I have my first obgyn appointment tomorrow (just found out last week I'm about 9 weeks pregnant). I have had moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease with chronic illness anemia for 12 years. Not sure how bad your anemia is, but I see a hematologist and have iron infusions. Make sure your doctor is checking your iron and ferratin levels, as well as your hemoglobin. Good luck!
    S/P L salpingo-oophorectomy w/ septic torsion 1999, dx moderate to severe Crohn's dz 2004. DH S/P hypospadic sx w/ multiple subsequent scar tissue removals, S/P herniorrhaphy. Married on 10/7/2006! TTC since May 2011; abnormal SA #1, better SA #2, normal HSG 7/2012, dx MFI/ low egg count, IUI! Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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  • FrozenMommyFrozenMommy member
    @zaphina, I don't think severe enough to have infusions, that's not been mentioned. My hemoglobin is 10.1, supposed to be over 11. So I think that's not so bad, but what do I know??
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  • ZaphinaZaphina member
    @frozenmommy make sure you ask questions! My hemoglobin was critical a couple of years ago and I needed a blood transfusion. That is VERY rare and most likely WON'T happen to you, but my doctor was a big advocate for me. One thing I've learned from having a chronic illness is you can't have too much information :) https://www.hematology.org/Patients/Anemia/Iron-Deficiency.aspx 
    S/P L salpingo-oophorectomy w/ septic torsion 1999, dx moderate to severe Crohn's dz 2004. DH S/P hypospadic sx w/ multiple subsequent scar tissue removals, S/P herniorrhaphy. Married on 10/7/2006! TTC since May 2011; abnormal SA #1, better SA #2, normal HSG 7/2012, dx MFI/ low egg count, IUI! Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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  • juliestevejuliesteve member
    I take Feramax! No tummy issues, but it does take awhile to raise your levels.
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