An Update and suggestion needed

elphie754
elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
This may not be the right forum, but just wanted to update everyone who has been so supportive the past 8-9months.

I am finally home with our new baby girl and we couldn't be more excited.

However, delivery and this past weekend were a nightmare. I was preeclamptic, and had to have an emergency c-section after both of us declined and her movements decreased. Afterwards I required 2 blood transfusions and a lot of antihypertensives.

While so excited to have her home and love being a mom, it has brought some new dietary restrictions which kind of sucks. Now on top of allergies, until I am no longer show symptoms of the preeclampsia, I have to follow a cardiac diet (lower sodium which will be hard for me). At the same time I have to increase my caloric intake to breast feed. Should be an interesting balance. I have a visiting nurse coming tomorrow who should be able to help a bit with figuring it out.

Anyone know of a good HIGH dose iron supplement that their stomach tolerates? I'm supposed to be taking a high dose, but the one they prescribed also has red dye #40 in it so sadly I can't take it. Will also be asking visiting nurse, but thought maybe someone here might have a good suggestion.
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Replies

  • RAinWA
    RAinWA Posts: 1,980 Member
    Sorry I have no suggestions on the iron, but wanted to say congrats on the new baby! Sorry you had a hard time but happy to hear you are both home!
  • macgurlnet
    macgurlnet Posts: 1,946 Member
    I don't have any recommendations, either, but wanted to say congrats on the little one! Kudos to you for getting to this point in your journey <3

    You'll be a great mom - hopefully others here will have some suggestions/recommendations for you. :flowerforyou:

    ~Lyssa
  • JessicaMcB
    JessicaMcB Posts: 1,485 Member
    Congrats on baby girl! Re: Iron my doctor wrote me an RX for high dose ferrous sulfate after all of my girls as I am fairly anemic in the general run of things.
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    RAinWA wrote: »
    Sorry I have no suggestions on the iron, but wanted to say congrats on the new baby! Sorry you had a hard time but happy to hear you are both home!

    Thank you. We are very happy to have her home.
    macgurlnet wrote: »
    I don't have any recommendations, either, but wanted to say congrats on the little one! Kudos to you for getting to this point in your journey <3

    You'll be a great mom - hopefully others here will have some suggestions/recommendations for you. :flowerforyou:

    ~Lyssa

    Thank you
    JessicaMcB wrote: »
    Congrats on baby girl! Re: Iron my doctor wrote me an RX for high dose ferrous sulfate after all of my girls as I am fairly anemic in the general run of things.

    Yeah, problem is the one the wrote for, has ingredients I am allergic to.
  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    Yay! Congratulations! I'm so happy!
  • nkolpean
    nkolpean Posts: 94 Member
    Congrats on your baby girl! I had to start taking iron pills when I was pregnant with my daughter. My dr put me on an iron pill called proferrin. Look into it!
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Congratulations to you and family, elphie! That's wonderful. (Sorry no recommendations.)
  • tjones0411
    tjones0411 Posts: 179 Member
    Congratulations!! I'm sorry the delivery was less than ideal. After having our son via emergency c/s at 28 weeks, I know how traumatic it can be when things so sideways quickly. I hope you're resting and recovering as quickly as possible!

    Red meat and lots of pbj sandwiches? Or spinach and berry smoothies with some avocado and full fat yogurt added? If you're nursing, smoothies will help keep the thirst at bay too. Plus the spinach should help with your iron.
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    nkolpean wrote: »
    Congrats on your baby girl! I had to start taking iron pills when I was pregnant with my daughter. My dr put me on an iron pill called proferrin. Look into it!

    Will do!
    tjones0411 wrote: »
    Congratulations!! I'm sorry the delivery was less than ideal. After having our son via emergency c/s at 28 weeks, I know how traumatic it can be when things so sideways quickly. I hope you're resting and recovering as quickly as possible!

    Red meat and lots of pbj sandwiches? Or spinach and berry smoothies with some avocado and full fat yogurt added? If you're nursing, smoothies will help keep the thirst at bay too. Plus the spinach should help with your iron.

    Unfortunately I can't tolerate much food right now which is why they have me on all the supplements.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    Congratulations to you and your SOs! Hopefully your recovery isn't awful since you've been put through the ringer during these last nine months.
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    malibu927 wrote: »
    Congratulations to you and your SOs! Hopefully your recovery isn't awful since you've been put through the ringer during these last nine months.


    I am hoping not, but it already seems difficult. Trying to remain positive though.
  • Purplebunnysarah
    Purplebunnysarah Posts: 3,252 Member
    edited March 2017
    Congratulations! Be really gentle with yourself. I had a traumatic delivery with my oldest and also required multiple transfusions although not due to preeclampsia. Sorry I can't help with the iron supplement. I was on some sort of store brand and they were green, that's all I remember.

    Also, if you find it's all just too much don't be afraid of formula. It can be a wonderful way to feed your baby if needed.
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,898 Member
    No suggestions but congratulations to you and your SOs!! Sorry it was a rough end to a rough pregnancy, i hope you recover quickly and it's all reward from here on in.
  • Zipbsky
    Zipbsky Posts: 99 Member
    I think I've seen OTC iron in liquid form. It looked dark, unlikely it contains any dyes. Give the vitamin section of your local big box store a look, you will probably find something you can take.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    Congratulations! Sorry that the delivery was rough.

    Perhaps speak with the pharmacist, to see if they have any recommendations regarding iron supplementation with products that don't contain allergens. I've heard good things about the liquid iron supplements, but not sure what would be included in the inactive ingredients. I hope you can find something that works. I have a difficult time with iron and my stomach too. I have settled for taking it at night, if I'm going to take it at all.
  • ronjsteele1
    ronjsteele1 Posts: 1,064 Member
    Check the ingredients in floradix iron with herbs. It is a highly absorbable form of iron and I presume safe with nursing because all of my anemic friends use it when both pregnant and nursing (although you should verify bc every doc is different). It comes in both liquid and pills. Also cell salt #4 as it will help your body increase its iron naturally. Lots of red meat as well as black strap molasses. If you can use bsm from an allergy standpoint, a tbls in warm water multiple times a day will also help.

    Congrats!
  • ladyreva78
    ladyreva78 Posts: 4,080 Member
    Congratulations! I'd been hoping to see a message from you to let us know you're okay! I think there's plenty of us that were cheering for you on your not so easy way!

    Sadly I can't add any suggestions for iron supplements. I react so badly to all the oral forms the doc's tried on me that she has me on regular infusions. But I do second the suggestion to speak to the pharmacist. They often have a better handle on what's in a particular pill/supplement than most doctors do.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,151 Member
    Cheerios and Wheat Chex - wait, wrong OP. XD

    Good to know all y'all are safe. Empathize with the emergency CS. I had one as well.
    giphy.gif
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    sarahthes wrote: »
    Congratulations! Be really gentle with yourself. I had a traumatic delivery with my oldest and also required multiple transfusions although not due to preeclampsia. Sorry I can't help with the iron supplement. I was on some sort of store brand and they were green, that's all I remember.

    Also, if you find it's all just too much don't be afraid of formula. It can be a wonderful way to feed your baby if needed.

    Right now we are doing both. We are supplementing with formula, although it seems like my body is tolerating breastfeeding pretty well so far and has been bringing milk in. Baby has made it very clear she wants mommys chest during feeding time.

  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    Congratulations! Sorry that the delivery was rough.

    Perhaps speak with the pharmacist, to see if they have any recommendations regarding iron supplementation with products that don't contain allergens. I've heard good things about the liquid iron supplements, but not sure what would be included in the inactive ingredients. I hope you can find something that works. I have a difficult time with iron and my stomach too. I have settled for taking it at night, if I'm going to take it at all.

    Taking a trip to our local vitamin shoppe this morning. It's where I had success finding a good prenatal vitamin with no allergens so I am hoping they may be able to help.
    Check the ingredients in floradix iron with herbs. It is a highly absorbable form of iron and I presume safe with nursing because all of my anemic friends use it when both pregnant and nursing (although you should verify bc every doc is different). It comes in both liquid and pills. Also cell salt #4 as it will help your body increase its iron naturally. Lots of red meat as well as black strap molasses. If you can use bsm from an allergy standpoint, a tbls in warm water multiple times a day will also help.

    Congrats!

    Will look into it.
    ladyreva78 wrote: »
    Congratulations! I'd been hoping to see a message from you to let us know you're okay! I think there's plenty of us that were cheering for you on your not so easy way!

    Sadly I can't add any suggestions for iron supplements. I react so badly to all the oral forms the doc's tried on me that she has me on regular infusions. But I do second the suggestion to speak to the pharmacist. They often have a better handle on what's in a particular pill/supplement than most doctors do.

    Thank you.
    zyxst wrote: »
    Cheerios and Wheat Chex - wait, wrong OP. XD

    Good to know all y'all are safe. Empathize with the emergency CS. I had one as well.
    giphy.gif

    Hahahahahaha!!!!
  • allaboutthecake
    allaboutthecake Posts: 1,535 Member
    I would call and ask the Pharmacist and/or your local GNC store about the zero red-dye iron supplement. I bet there is an OTC out there you could take. Having a new baby, probably not as convenient traipsing in/out car to look...that's why suggest call first.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    zyxst wrote: »
    Cheerios and Wheat Chex - wait, wrong OP. XD

    I was so going to say cheerios and flintstones chewables!

    I don't have any legit suggestions Elphie but I'm glad you are home with baby girl and enjoying your snuggles. I hope you have a good recovery!

  • Ming1951
    Ming1951 Posts: 433 Member
    All I can say is congratulations! I've been waiting to hear the news! I'm pretty sure the vitamin shoppe will help. Some of those stores a pretty knowledgeable on their products.
  • Chef_Barbell
    Chef_Barbell Posts: 6,644 Member
    Congrats on baby! :D
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    I would call and ask the Pharmacist and/or your local GNC store about the zero red-dye iron supplement. I bet there is an OTC out there you could take. Having a new baby, probably not as convenient traipsing in/out car to look...that's why suggest call first.

    Honestly not a fan of GNC but will call them and see.
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    zyxst wrote: »
    Cheerios and Wheat Chex - wait, wrong OP. XD

    I was so going to say cheerios and flintstones chewables!

    I don't have any legit suggestions Elphie but I'm glad you are home with baby girl and enjoying your snuggles. I hope you have a good recovery!

    Oh I wish it were that easy.
    Ming1951 wrote: »
    All I can say is congratulations! I've been waiting to hear the news! I'm pretty sure the vitamin shoppe will help. Some of those stores a pretty knowledgeable on their products.
    Congrats on baby! :D

    Thank you both!
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    Wow, so thrilled to hear that you and baby are home with your family! Congratulations!
  • tmoneyag99
    tmoneyag99 Posts: 491 Member
    edited March 2017
    elphie754 wrote: »
    This may not be the right forum, but just wanted to update everyone who has been so supportive the past 8-9months.

    I am finally home with our new baby girl and we couldn't be more excited.

    However, delivery and this past weekend were a nightmare. I was preeclamptic, and had to have an emergency c-section after both of us declined and her movements decreased. Afterwards I required 2 blood transfusions and a lot of antihypertensives.

    While so excited to have her home and love being a mom, it has brought some new dietary restrictions which kind of sucks. Now on top of allergies, until I am no longer show symptoms of the preeclampsia, I have to follow a cardiac diet (lower sodium which will be hard for me). At the same time I have to increase my caloric intake to breast feed. Should be an interesting balance. I have a visiting nurse coming tomorrow who should be able to help a bit with figuring it out.

    Anyone know of a good HIGH dose iron supplement that their stomach tolerates? I'm supposed to be taking a high dose, but the one they prescribed also has red dye #40 in it so sadly I can't take it. Will also be asking visiting nurse, but thought maybe someone here might have a good suggestion.

    Get a script and in the mean time try eating Black Strap Molases. Lamb, Beef, Chicken Livers and Former Pre-E mom here too. Eat lots of nuts, Eat low salt carbs. Tough I know but you're goal is to heal. drink plenty of water and rest. Please rest. Pre-E is not something to play with. If you get a splitting headache call your doctor ASAP.

    OH and I don't know if the doctor told you but lay off of the dairy (it reduces the absorbtion of iron) and increase your vitamin C (that increases your iron absorption) If your multivitamin has calcium in it, you can likely ditich it because the calcium blocks the iron. Iron supplements *MUST* be taken at a different time from calcium supplement.
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    tmoneyag99 wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    This may not be the right forum, but just wanted to update everyone who has been so supportive the past 8-9months.

    I am finally home with our new baby girl and we couldn't be more excited.

    However, delivery and this past weekend were a nightmare. I was preeclamptic, and had to have an emergency c-section after both of us declined and her movements decreased. Afterwards I required 2 blood transfusions and a lot of antihypertensives.

    While so excited to have her home and love being a mom, it has brought some new dietary restrictions which kind of sucks. Now on top of allergies, until I am no longer show symptoms of the preeclampsia, I have to follow a cardiac diet (lower sodium which will be hard for me). At the same time I have to increase my caloric intake to breast feed. Should be an interesting balance. I have a visiting nurse coming tomorrow who should be able to help a bit with figuring it out.

    Anyone know of a good HIGH dose iron supplement that their stomach tolerates? I'm supposed to be taking a high dose, but the one they prescribed also has red dye #40 in it so sadly I can't take it. Will also be asking visiting nurse, but thought maybe someone here might have a good suggestion.

    Get a script and in the mean time try eating Black Strap Molases. Lamb, Beef, Chicken Livers and Former Pre-E mom here too. Eat lots of nuts, Eat low salt carbs. Tough I know but you're goal is to heal. drink plenty of water and rest. Please rest. Pre-E is not something to play with. If you get a splitting headache call your doctor ASAP.

    OH and I don't know if the doctor told you but lay off of the dairy (it reduces the absorbtion of iron) and increase your vitamin C (that increases your iron absorption) If your multivitamin has calcium in it, you can likely ditich it because the calcium blocks the iron. Iron supplements *MUST* be taken at a different time from calcium supplement.

    I have a script, but allergic to the script they gave me (I'm not exactly too impressed with the doctor who prescribed it).

    I was told to increase dairy and calcium throughout the day since breast feeding.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,055 Member
    Congrats! I knew you were due this month and was wondering about you.

    I get both my blackstrap molasses and iron bisglycinate from iherb.com: https://www.iherb.com/pr/p/34616
    I get a lot of stuff from iherb so never have to pay for shipping. Stop & Shop and Whole Foods carry this molasses as well.

    Oh, wait, the iron is cheaper on Amazon: https://www.iherb.com/pr/p/34616

    Ingredients here: https://www.iherb.com/pr/Solgar-Gentle-Iron-25-mg-180-Veggie-Caps/10625

    I didn't find the form of iron prescribed by the VA to be particularly effective.

    I think this is the most effective form of iron but is hard on my stomach so I just take it for extra iron while menstruating: https://www.amazon.com/Levine-Health-Products-Sante-Drops/dp/B0058AARR8/

    Because you are delicate Elphie, I'm not recommending it for you, but just adding it to the thread for completeness.
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Congrats! I knew you were due this month and was wondering about you.

    I get both my blackstrap molasses and iron bisglycinate from iherb.com: https://www.iherb.com/pr/p/34616
    I get a lot of stuff from iherb so never have to pay for shipping. Stop & Shop and Whole Foods carry this molasses as well.

    Oh, wait, the iron is cheaper on Amazon: https://www.iherb.com/pr/p/34616

    Ingredients here: https://www.iherb.com/pr/Solgar-Gentle-Iron-25-mg-180-Veggie-Caps/10625

    I didn't find the form of iron prescribed by the VA to be particularly effective.

    I think this is the most effective form of iron but is hard on my stomach so I just take it for extra iron while menstruating: https://www.amazon.com/Levine-Health-Products-Sante-Drops/dp/B0058AARR8/

    Because you are delicate Elphie, I'm not recommending it for you, but just adding it to the thread for completeness.

    Thank you.

    I actually use solgar for all my other vitamins (occasionally I'll use natures bounty). I was looking at their gentle iron, just wish they had a higher dose. It may be my only choice though.
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