Iron pills needed or not? (sorry kind of graphic)

I was given Ferosol (sp?) for iron at discharge 5 weeks ago but at my post op she said my hemoglobin was normal. Of course I didn't ask her at my appt if I should continue to take them - I'll call on Monday, but I had a question for my sisters

I've never had problems with BM's but taking the iron pills has changed that. Seems like it's changed the consistency (sorry to be gross) to very sticky and hard to clean up after and the color is always black - does that make sense? Has anyone else had that problem?

I'm trying to take multivitamins too - something I've neglected for a while - I always took my calcium religiously. The problem with the vitamins we take is if if you don't take them with "enough" food they upset my stomach - but with being on Weight Watchers it's hard sometimes to eat enough to absorb the vitamins. Thanks for any tips!

Have you tried splitting the multivitamin and take half with one meal and half with another?

Just one idea.

:xmashug4:

There's an am and a pm pack to take so it's already split sort of. If it keeps up making me sick I'll have to find something less "potent" so to speak....

Iron will definitely change the consistency of your stools. I was them iron for anemia for a LONG time...hoping the hysterectomy will change all of that. Also - check to make sure your multi vitamin is not adding even MORE iron - that could increase your nauseousness. Good luck!

Iron will also cause hard stools. Make sure you are taking colace or another stool softener.
hope you feel better soon!

I also have anemia and struggled with nausea when taking the iron and/or multi vitamins. There are many different brands and I found out I had to try several until I found the ones that were okay for me. Ferro-Sequels, which my doctor suggested were okay but again it may be different for you. I think it's important to take them, especially if you were given them as discharge meds, until your doctor says it's okay to stop. And, yes, do take some sort of stool softener.