Iron Sulfate

[Mehita]

GI wants DS to start on iron sulfate, 325mg x2/day for iron deficiency anemia. DS has the triple threat combo of Crohn's/Celiac/resection.

He wrote a script but said it might be cheaper over the counter. He also said to take it with something acidic like apple juice and not with dairy.

Just wondering if you have any suggestions or other tips? Are there any kid friendly formulations out there? Any particular US brands out there that are better than others?

Thanks

 

[Catherine]

Apple juice will only help if it has added vitamin C. Better taken within orange or pineapple juice.

It works best when taken away from food but without can cause a upset stomach.

It is best to avoid diary products for two hour each side of the supplement iron.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Iron_explained

 

[Henrietta78]

My son (4) described the taste as "chewing on a rusty pipe" and told his GI doc that SHE should have to take it. No mater what flavoring they put in it, the stuff is bad. Only way my son could bear it was with a "chaser" of BBQ potato chips to get the taste out of his mouth, and sometimes pure bribery.

 

[upsetmom]

He wrote a script but said it might be cheaper over the counter. He also said to take it with something acidic like apple juice and not with dairy.
Thanks

From what i've read over the counter hasn't got as much iron as the prescription.
Like Catherine said dairy should be avoided 2 hrs before and after taking the iron. Its best taken with OJ.

 

[Catherine]

Upsetmom

We buy the exact iron supplement over the counter as was given to us on script at a cheaper price.

 

[Jmrogers4]

We bought same over the counter that was given as script also. Also advised to take with OJ or something citric it is supposed to help with absorbing. We generally took at night to avoid tummy upset

 

[Mehita]

Is taking iron a long term thing? Or is it just to get his levels back into a normal range?

If I had a dollar for every question that comes through my head AFTER appts...

 

[Jmrogers4]

We only did it to get levels up, Jack took them for about 6 months and we check levels at each blood test and if needed he will take again, hubby does the same.

 

[upsetmom]

I just read the label on my prescription iron.....and it isn't a prescription only medicine
.
I don't know where i read this....:ybatty:

From what i've read over the counter hasn't got as much iron as the prescription.

 

[dodie74]

My son was on iron syrup for a few months until his level got back up and they took him off it, his level is still up at the minute. xx

 

[DustyKat]

Does anyone use Ferro-Gradumet with Vit C?

 

[Catherine]

We have tried one. At time Sarah didn't like the taste of the tablet. We have had all the different type if iron tablets recommend at varies times.

The only one we avoid is iron with folate due to her high folate levels.

We have also tried combination eating to increase iron levels.

 

[upsetmom]

Does anyone use Ferro-Gradumet with Vit C?

No not here.
I use Ferro-liquid taken with OJ. Would that one be better ?

 

[DustyKat]

I don't know upsetmom. I just see more docs using it at work so I was curious if anyone here was using it.

Dusty.

 

[Mehita]

Hmmm... no poop today. I know constipation can be a side effect. If this is the start of constipation, what happens next? Do we reduce his dose from two pills a day to one?

Or, someone can just tell me to chill. It's only been one day without poop. No big deal. Right?

 

[Catherine]

In our house we would start prune juice.

 

[Mehita]

I'm not sure I can get him to drink prune juice. I'll pick some up today, but have a feeling I will be the one finishing off the bottle. The GI nurse said we could start Miralax, but I'd like to try something more natural. Maybe a food? Any other suggestions?

This is frustrating. We're fixing his iron at the cost of messing up his poop. He had such nice poops before the iron. Now we're back to 30+ minute bathroom visits at inconvenient times. We're back to being late or not going to events/sports/etc. Almost feels like we're back to square one.

I should just give him the darn Miralax.

 

[my little penguin]

skip prunes- it causes cramping
use lots of fruit cups with pears - also ds drinks three of the v8 fusion ( very berry kiddie) juice boxes -
plenty of water ( at least half their weight in oz to drink)

miralax if needed as well- but it also causes cramping :ybatty: