Iron issues again! - ThinnerTimes

rainrain · 01-20-2007, 11:25 PM

Well, most of you know the issues I have had with low iron. So it had gone up and I was able to stop the supplements for 3 months to see if it would stay up. The iron is really rough on my inners. So anyway, I was hoping it would be good, but it went down 50%. It cut in half in only 3 monthes, so I am back on iron.....eeeekk!!

So my question is this. Does any one know an herbologist, nutritionist or homeopath nutrist type doc, who can give me better options because taking the pills just tears me up inside.
I get so much stomach cramps and painful stomache aches, not to mention weird b.m.'s. (TMI, sorry)

My hemoglobin is barely 10 and my doc wants me to start taking hormones to cease my periods to keep from losing blood.
I wonder how that will affect my mmods and feelings. I have never taken hormones or birth control pills before. Any insight?
So, anyway, I am so tired all the time, but I really push myself, I wish I had more iron.

Thanks for listening and any suggestions will be appreciated.

Rain

Blueyz · 01-20-2007, 11:30 PM

Did you try the ferrous fumerate? That is the only iron I can take that won't hurt my stomach. I get it at Henry's and it is the Henry's brand. It says Iron Complex and the fine print says ferrous fumerate. I was skeptical and gave it a shot. When I was in the ER Sunday, my levels were actually decent, even with all of the blood loss. I figured they accidently switched my labs with someone else.

I was looking into an eblation of my uterus to stop the bleeding. I don't know if that will be an option though if I have polyps or fibroids.

If you find a good herbal person, will you let me know.

Feel better and try the fumerate if you haven't already tried it.

rainrain · 01-21-2007, 12:06 AM

I have tried fermerate. The one that works the best is Glycanate (sp?) Gentle Iron by Rexall.
It still upsets my stomach, but not as bad. I am just bummed about it. I have always had low iron and Kelley really did not think anything of it pre-op. I kind of wish we would have known that this would be more of a complication. I still would have had surgery, but I would have at least been forwarned.

What is it your doing to your uterus?

Haveaball · 01-21-2007, 06:36 AM

My doctor suggests I take Vitron-C. (you can get it at wal-mart about $12) Anyway it is so easy on the stomach and does not cause constipation. There is 125mg of Vitamin C and 200mg of Iron. I have taken it since 4 weeks post op and I go to the potty every morning! Maybe give that a try. I have not had my iron checked yet, I will go 2/7 for blood work. Good luck!

Dyann · 01-21-2007, 06:56 AM

That did drop pretty fast. A few personal questions here.

Low iron is from decreased production/storage or increased loss

My surgeon believes all premenopausal women who still have periods must take iron.

Are you having very heavy periods? Do you have fibroids or any other reason for excess bleeding??

Are you losing blood anywhere else (ie stool)? Have they checked your stool for occult blood? You would have needed to do it off iron for accuracy.

Ulcer problems??

No chance you are destroying your Red blood cells (hemolysis)...I am sure they are checking for that.

Are your other CBC parameters normal (white blood cells, platelets)?

I take the gentle iron as well. I also take zantac. I don't get any abdominal cramping, but I run on the constipated side and try to make sure I get in 25g of fiber a day. That is very tough to do.

Even on hormones you will still have a period 3-4 x's a year.

Sorry it went down so fast and you are so run down. At least you did correct easily last time. Feel well

Dyann · 01-21-2007, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueyz

I was looking into an eblation of my uterus to stop the bleeding. I don't know if that will be an option though if I have polyps or fibroids.

.

If your excess bleeding is from fibroids there is a procedure called uterine artery embolization. It is done on an outpatient basis where using special xrays, they access your artery in the groin and put coils/foam/clogging substance in the uterine artery branches that feed the fibroids causing them to die and shrink and then bleed less with your periods. It beats a hysterectomy if you are a good candidate. There is a great deal of cramping involved. I can get you some information if you chose that path.

Wildeblnde34 · 01-21-2007, 08:55 AM

Well I take Slow-FE, no real stomach upset or constipation, although I was blessed with a mild case of IBS. I take my iron religiously and will for the rest of my life. Once your iron levels are low it's so hard to get them up again. I am so sorry your having issues again. That just plain SUCKS! If you haven't tried Slow-FE it might be worth a shot.

LyndasRoom · 01-21-2007, 10:06 AM

I hope you find some answers...when I was pregnant, I took iron and fibercon at the same time...it seemed to help a bit.

rainrain · 01-21-2007, 04:26 PM

Thanks everybody!
Yes, I have taken slow -fe and no I do not get constipated as much as I get really bad stomach upset. Hard to explain. Severe vramping, like my intestines are swollen and trying to move but is being held back. I can go poo, but the pain is really bad.

Dr,. Dyann, as far as the periods go, I think I am at that time where they are all starting to get a bit irregular. I can have i normal one and then 6 or 8 weeks later get one that last 2/ 3 weeks long, although very light.
I have never been a crampy menstrator (is that a word?) Once in a while, I get a really heavy period, go through a tampon and pad an hour or ttwo, but it only lasts for a day and then by the 3rd day its gone, so in reality, I do not think I lose any more blood from one month to the other.

Can you explain to me the store and how that works. She seems concerned that they went from 430 to 220 in 3 months. The hemoglobin went from 11.4 to 10. She seemed less concerned with that change.

Also, one hemotologist said I have irregular shapped and small blood cells. What and why is that?

Last thing, my CBC was normal, except for low white blood count. What does that indicate?
I do not lose blood any where else, pretty normal bowels and no ulcers that I know of.

Thanks so much for you input.

Rain

Blueyz · 01-21-2007, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyann

If your excess bleeding is from fibroids there is a procedure called uterine artery embolization. It is done on an outpatient basis where using special xrays, they access your artery in the groin and put coils/foam/clogging substance in the uterine artery branches that feed the fibroids causing them to die and shrink and then bleed less with your periods. It beats a hysterectomy if you are a good candidate. There is a great deal of cramping involved. I can get you some information if you chose that path.

Thanks for the info Dyann. Once my doc tells me what he thinks, I will contact you. I have to go to the GI specialist first and then my gyn.