Bad diarrhea when on iron supplements?* updated*

[JemmaD]

I'm 35 weeks pregnant on sunday and have been taking extra iron supplement for about two weeks and today ive been getting alot of diarrhea! (sorry TMI) ive been over 7 times today. Its starting to make me feel really ill now.

I thought iron makes you constipated? is any one the same? Im feeling really fed up now i cant sleep ive had a bad back on and off since 26 weeks with no help from the GP or midwife now this!!!!

 

[saffy1978]

I had the exact same effect with the iron tablets. Made me feel really yucky too. I took myself off them in the end (I lasted 2 weeks before I'd had enough). I told my mw and she said to try and increase my iron intake in foods instead. Green vegetables, dark chocolate etc. x

 

[fluffpuffin]

it can cause either constipation or diarrhoea. everyone is different. I got diarrhoea from it too & bad stomach cramps. I'm trying to get Sytron liquid from the docs now as it doesn't cause as many side-effects as the tablets which all contain iron salts (very irritating on the GI-tract) x

 

[hopeforamirac]

I would go back to docs and ask tem to change your iron tablets. or if you can afford it go and buy some spatone from the chemist.

 

[IvyBaby]

I had the same effect from tablets and went on Spatone- much much better!

Are you sure your symptoms are related to iron tablets.. you said you are taking them for 2 weeks already. Maybe it is a tummy bug.. I would wait and see for a couple days, or stop taking them for a while to see if it gets better.

 

[Ginaerhol]

this could maybe be what my problem is i was on ferrous sulphate but my stomach got soooo sore and was running to the toilet all the time. They have now put me on ferrous gluconate said that i wouldnt have the same problem but for the past 3 days i have been on the toilet all day i wonder if i should mention it to mw on friday?? xx

 

[saturn73]

I've had bad diarrhea lately too, but I never made the connection. I think you're onto something!

 

[JemmaD]

this could maybe be what my problem is i was on ferrous sulphate but my stomach got soooo sore and was running to the toilet all the time. They have now put me on ferrous gluconate said that i wouldnt have the same problem but for the past 3 days i have been on the toilet all day i wonder if i should mention it to mw on friday?? xx

Im going to when i see mine today x

 

[JemmaD]

.

 

[maytobe]

I have it too, the doctor said that it was because of the iron tablet. I usually switch to a BRAT (banana rice applesauce toast) diet during the night, before I take it. It usually helps. But if it is so severe as to go to the bathroom 7 times and get stomach cramps, it could be a stomach bug.

 

[Ginaerhol]

this could maybe be what my problem is i was on ferrous sulphate but my stomach got soooo sore and was running to the toilet all the time. They have now put me on ferrous gluconate said that i wouldnt have the same problem but for the past 3 days i have been on the toilet all day i wonder if i should mention it to mw on friday?? xx

Im going to when i see mine today x

let me know how u get on xx

 

[JemmaD]

this could maybe be what my problem is i was on ferrous sulphate but my stomach got soooo sore and was running to the toilet all the time. They have now put me on ferrous gluconate said that i wouldnt have the same problem but for the past 3 days i have been on the toilet all day i wonder if i should mention it to mw on friday?? xx

Im going to when i see mine today x

let me know how u get on xx

I will do hun, my midwife is a bit poo tho so i will more then likely end up seeing my GP if shes no help.

Are you feling any better? im still the same

 

[fluffpuffin]

mw's can't prescribe iron hun. If you leave a prescription request at your reception desk at the surgery for Sytron liquid (it's an iron liquid that is better tolerated than the tablets, due to it not containing iron salts that are irritating to the gut) and write a note that the iron tablets weren't tolerated then the docs will be happy to write out a script for you. I've had to do the same.

I'd suggest doing that as you can get free prescriptions rather than getting spatone which is quite expensive and doesn't contain a lot of iron.
x

 

[JemmaD]

Been to see the midwife today! she said it could be the iron and to try and cut down on fibre if im no better to see the GP also she told me the baby is starting to engage im made up she has been head down for two weeks and my belly dropped an little bit last week.

 

[Ivoryapril]

i take spatone and its great x

 

[maytobe]

Been to see the midwife today! she said it could be the iron and to try and cut down on fibre if im no better to see the GP also she told me the baby is starting to engage im made up she has been head down for two weeks and my belly dropped an little bit last week.

That's great! All the best

 

[saturn73]

Been to see the midwife today! she said it could be the iron and to try and cut down on fibre if im no better to see the GP also she told me the baby is starting to engage im made up she has been head down for two weeks and my belly dropped an little bit last week.

Well, that's a better reason than the iron supplement! I hope mine's starting to engage too then!