Iron deficiency anemia

Interesting. I never took them. My former GI doc was always trying to push Nexium on me but I never took it. I can't seem to nip this anemia. It's chronic. The only thing that helps me are the iron infusions and it's getting old fast. Oral iron does nothing. I try not to complain because my j pouch is fine and works great but it's been almost 10 years now of being anemic and it's pretty disheartening.

I am anemic and have tried slow iron and iron that is supposedly easily absorbed recently and have had terrible nights with my J pouch, up every 1/2 hour sometimes. rebe suggested liver pills so I am trying that. The other option which I did several years ago was iron transfusions but it only lasts a while. I play singles tennis almost every day and the doctors say that is almost impossible with my iron level. I really don't get that tired, except from being up every 1.5 hrs at night going to the bathroom which happens quite a bit but not from the iron. attribute it to my type A personality that it hasn't affected me more.

Been having malabsorption problems since surgery I am down to a few meds when needed and not doing anything daily. For my anemia I know its from the protonix so i stopped taking it daily. Iron pills tended to mess me up. My cure for myself is calcium fortified juices and foods that break down quick with lots of it (ground beef lamb, HBd eggs, oatmeal, peanut butter and lactose free milk) everyones different. Im medically retiring from military in 2 months yet ironically got a contract with KBR to work in the restand up of The US bases in Iraq (I love protecting people and it pays 150k a year

ARP83, thanks for your service! Hope you like the new job.

Clouseau, what are the name of the liver pills? My daughter had an iron infusion, injectafer, in August. Her iron stores are low and she is anemic. She can't tolerate the oral iron and I told her to try liver pate' but she said it was disgusting. Maybe liver pills would work.

Beckysmom,few
She might want to try the dessicated liver pills that have been around since I was a kid...pretty close to tasteless (look out for the smell though) and more or less easy to swallow. I also used to do 'milkshakes' with raw eggs (I know, some people are against them but still...Been doing it for years), dessicated liver tablets, kelp, lecitin, B6 and tons or other goodies...lived the best part of my teen years on this stuff...use whatever liquids that will camoflage the taste and smell then blend....we used orange juice at the time (added honey too) but whatever floats her boat is fine...
You get the iron, B6 and lots of other goodies with the digestive difficulties.
Sharon
ps. In Canada, at Costco, there is a Behind the Counter iron supplement called Eurofer that seems to work a whole lot better than all of the others that we have tried.
I have a group of girlfriends who had subclinical levels and have been on it for a few years with great success.

beckysmom i believe the liver pills i recommended to C was by radiant life ..you can order on line..think they work well if iron pills toO upsetting to stomach,intestines..the bottle recommends one take six capsules a day..

Thank you Sharon and Rebe!

When I had chronic iron deficiency anemia, it turned out I had a leak in the pre-sacral space. Since my pouch re-do, I am no longer anemic.

My son is using Proferrin ES. No side effects and no vit C is needed to absorb. You can order it online from the manufacturer, they are very good. It is expensive, unfortunately, but worth trying.

teensmom, my daughter has not been able to handle oral iron, she has a lot of stomach pain with oral, even liquid iron. Does the ProferrinES bother your son?

Rebe is right, the pills she recommended to me are Radiant Life, easy to take and now taking 3 pills 2X a day.

When I first had my j-pouch, I was horribly anemic all the time, but I have gradually over the years gotten much better. One thing I am doing now is using Arbonne chocolate shakes. I mix them with banana, peanut butter, and spinach. I put that together with water or almond milk. You cannot even taste the spinach but get all the iron benefits from it. And because it is finely blended it is better absorbed.

I've struggled with anemia on and off since my UC diagnosis. As far as iron supplements go, I've had the best luck with ferrous fumarate, taken at bedtime (as per the recommendation of the pharmacist). There are no gastrointestinal side effects to report. The only side effect is a temporary blackening of the stool.

BTW, I don't currently take PPIs nor have I ever taken them long term.

So since being diagnosed as anemic (11.1 HG) around 3-4 weeks ago, I have stopped all NSAIDs and have been taking ferrous sulfate 1-2 times a day (when I can remember). I did a blood draw on Wed. and am up to 12.5 - so headed in the right direction.

Not sure if it was the NSAIDs, the PPI, or both. By cutting the NSAIDs and adding the iron supplements, I am not able to narrow it down.

But I have read that yes - PPIs can reduce iron absorption both due to the reduced acidity, and because it can cause B12 levels to drop (and low B12 can also lead to anemia). Haven't tested my B12 since all of this started. Discussing with a GI next week.

Steve

When I developed pouchitis my GI told me as long as I had my pouch not to take any nsaids. He said that would make the ulcers in my pouch form or become even worse. I haven't taken any in over a year. I just had blood drawn for my surgery. I am having pouch removed in two weeks and going to an end ileo. My HCT was 40.3 and hemoglobin was 13.3 which is fine. I hope you are able to find a way to get your blood count up.

It's generally pretty easy to distinguish iron deficiency anemia from B12 deficiency on the usual blood test. For this question, at least, your doc has probably worked out which it is.

Holly - as Jan said, it's never as simple as we want it to be. NSAID's are taken for chronic lumbar fasciitis and fibromyalgia. I'm also on Lyrica, which does seem to help, but NSAID's have become somewhat of a mainstay for pain too. Obviously, I know it's not good for my stomach or pouch - just a matter of deciding which is worse.

Regarding PPI's or other acid reducers taken on a daily basis, I think for me PPI's have been #1 on my list of pouch-helpers. Once on them, I have stopped the every few week issues with my pouch (good pouch / bad pouch syndrome ). So I hate to give up taking them as well.

My #1 issue is not having a one-stop shop, so to speak, with addressing these many needs. I may look into that with an internist in a few months. I would love to have everything consolidated with someone who really listens to me

Steve