Low iron will definately make you tired and weak. I was always very anemic when I had UC. Now 2 years post surgery I am still anemic....even with supplements. I have no bleeding so I don't know what's going on. I just had my blood work done the other day with no improvement so my doctor is insisting I see a hematologist. I have been putting it off for a while and I just cannot putt it off anymore.

I also just had my first pouch scope since takedown and my surgeon said its perfect...no inflammation. I asked him why I'm still anemic and he couldn't give me an answer but he insisted it was not an absorption issue which I'm not sure I agree with but hey, I'm not a doctor.

I hope the iron supplements help you. Make sure you get your levels checked once a month to see if you are improving.

Thanks Marianne. They are supposed to re-check them in 3 months. Just picked up my supplements today and am starting to take them. Sorry you are still anemic. Are you still weak?

My husband is anemic since his J-pouch surgery and iron pills do not help him, but iron transfusions do.

I get iron infusions. Going for one Thurs actually then another in 3 weeks. Even with a colon iron pills did nothing for me. There is no number in the world of iron pills that you get in an infusion. My leg cramps are bad lately so that is usually my sign my iron has tanked.

Vanessavy,

My husband used to get severe cramps in the strangest places in his body, places that he couldn't stretch out to get rid of them. He started taking liquid calcium/magnesium (mixed with juice or water) and also calcium/magnesium/zinc chewable tablets, and they have helped him tremendously. The calcium helps with the cramping and the magnesium helps with restless leg syndrome, which he used to get as well.

chrfor,

I don't know if I would consider myself still weak but I get exhausted very easily. I do not have much stamina. I get winded just climbing stairs and I have to catch my breath. It's really annoying. My body has learned to deal with it because I have been chronically anemic for 7 years now. It's so hard on all your organs though. I'm confident that if I get iron infusions I will get this under control.

quote:

liquid calcium/magnesium (mixed with juice or water) and also calcium/magnesium/zinc chewable tablets,

Oh I have tried it all. You name it I have been on it for my leg cramps. My disease causes the cramping in my legs and the tension that never releases. They get worse when my iron is low. When I get an infusion they feel a lot better.

Low iron is one of those 'gifts' a lot of us have from the UC, even after the surgeries and with no bleed. As others have said, sometimes the infusions are necessary initially if your levels are really low but often the supplements taken daily over a long period of time are enough. If they didn't specifically mention it look for a type of iron supplement called 'slow FE'. It absorbs more slowly and is a little easier on the stomach.