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iron supplements and IBS

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Posted 12/24/2007 4:44 PM (GMT -6)
Hello,

I've been in remission from IBD for about 4 months now. In that time I've still had IBS symptoms i.e. some mucus, some urgency and some mushy stools. My inflmmatory markers have been normal so my GI labelled these symtpoms as IBS. I started iron supplements 3 weeks ago. Gradually over that time my IBS symtoms have completely disappeared. The mucus has gone, the urgency has gone and the stools are solid and formed. The only thing that has changed in my life in those 3 weeks is the introduction of iron. Can iron supplements have caused this or just a coincidence? I was under the impression that iron induced GI distress.

<<"Nollaig shonasach agus athbhliain shuaimhneach " = Happy holidays to all (in Irish)! >>

D

 

Posted 12/24/2007 5:00 PM (GMT -6)
I don't much about IBS, but I know iron can cause constipation for some. That is great your symptoms have gone away!

Were you anemic, or why the iron supplements?
Posted 12/24/2007 5:08 PM (GMT -6)
Yes but I suspect that my joy is misplaced and that all that is happening is that urgency from IBS is being cancelled out by constipation from iron supplements to leave me in some sort of "normal limbo"...but ill take it, my colon and elimination process feel completly normal after 2 years

Yes I was anemic for bout 6 months but I couldn't get iron into me as everytime I tried, Jeremy (thats my colon!) kicked up a stink...but lately hes been fine with iron...hes eating up 250mg of it a day albeit with a slightly new supplement thats easier on the GI tract.
Posted 12/24/2007 5:31 PM (GMT -6)
I'm very glad Jeremy likes the new supplement better. =) lol.

So, you think the normal-ness you're feeling won't last long, then? I hope it does, but if it doesn't, yeah, I guess you just have to enjoy it while it lasts.
Posted 12/24/2007 8:14 PM (GMT -6)
Yes normally oral iron supplements form highly reactive oxygen radicals which would further aggravate your condition. Thinking that oral iron will cause less stress inside the colon is the wrong conclusion to make. Look at your diet, your meds and supplements. Are you saying you eat exactly the same exact foods exactly as before and did everything exactly the same with the same amount of stress etc etc and the ONLY thing that has changed is adding oral iron.

* 5-ASA is also an antioxidant (hydroxyl free radical scavenger).
* 5-ASA stops the flow of iron into the intestines by removing O(-2)
Posted 12/25/2007 8:12 AM (GMT -6)
Horus,

Yes the only thing that has varied is the addition of iron supplements. Everything else is exactly the same.

I actually haven't made any conclusions on what is causing this "normality" and I do know some people for whom iron supplements give them no problems whatsoever. So just throwing ideas out there!!

I wasn't aware that 5-ASAs had the above properties. Interesting. Kinda dispoointed that my GI and GP didn't feel the need to tell me that about 5-ASAs.

D
Posted 12/25/2007 8:29 AM (GMT -6)
we were told not to give my daughter iron supplements,too hard on stomach , but she is anemic, they said have lean red beef, well that doesn't work for her , after 3 tries with different cuts of meat it's very obvious that it hurts her. and vegetables ( even cooked) hurt too. the bleeding seems to be gone so we are hoping the anemia will diissapate by magic? i don't know, they did have to give her potassium pills she finishes those today. i feel so lost, and she is so changed.
Posted 12/25/2007 8:49 AM (GMT -6)
Please,

Yes I also felt a bit lost and frustrated in terms of my anemia problem. My iron levels were very low even though I felt ok for bout 4 months. Just didn't have much energy. I couldn't get iron into me. My colon wouldn't take the normal medical prescribed iron pills and if I ate red meat I would develop UC symptoms.

I experimented with "lighter" iron tablets at a heavier does (with my GI's permission). These seem to work fine. Have zero GI distress from them. I also drink an iron supplement each day. It's about 10 teaspoons in a satchel that you mix with half a cup of orange juice. Again zero GI issues with that.

If you can get through the first 2 weeks of iron intake it seems from my experience that your colon and stomach settle down. It was hard at the start but I do believe that my body has adpated to high dose iron being ingested. I was a really bad case. My body couldn't accept iron. Now it seems to have zero problems. Maybe if you can give it a go for 2 weeks and try and get through that period things will settle down. But check with your doctor first of course.

D
Posted 12/25/2007 9:53 PM (GMT -6)
Please,
There are lots of herbal pills that are high in iron but much more easily digested than regular iron pills or even food. I can't eat alot of the veggies that are high in iron so I take yellow dock pills and nettle pills for my anemia. They don't upset my stomach at all and they have helped raise my blood levels. I just take one pill a day and switch between the two herbs. There have been research studies done that show yellow dock can reverse mild anemia in one month (if no additional bleeding takes place) It sure can't hurt to give them a try. They did wonders for me (I passed out for 2 days at the end of october because of my anemia and im almost back to normal blood levels now.)
Posted 12/26/2007 7:06 AM (GMT -6)
Damo123 - Which liquid iron supplement are you using?
Posted 12/26/2007 7:34 AM (GMT -6)
I'm in Ireland so the product brand name may not be in your country. It's called "Spatone 100% natural iron supplement". It's bascially iron rich water. It has a high content of iron sulphate. Each satchel is 20ml and you can take 2 or even 3 a day. You mix with half a cup of orange juice. You can visit the company online at www.spatone.com. It is very popular in UK and Ieland especially amongst female population. Seems to have a good reputation with doctors and health clubs. The big thing people say about it is that it produces very very little GI distress. However it may not be as "potent" as standard iron supplement in pill form.
Posted 12/26/2007 7:42 AM (GMT -6)
Thank you! I am anemic and am having trouble with oral iron supplements, as they are causing me diarrhea. No other gasto discomfort, oddly enough - just D. So, my GI recommended that I try it in liquid form, but I have been unable to find it. I'm going to the website now to see what I can dig up.
Posted 12/27/2007 1:10 AM (GMT -6)
please-  ask your doctor about iron infusions.  they are what i did when i became aenemic like 4 times this year. 

they do it thru an IV.  takes about 6 hours, but your good to go for a long time.

as for iron pill/supplements... they actually excerbate symptoms of colitis and are hard on the lining of the colon.  i was told that taking iron pills with active UC is bad.  and i agree, i took them before i knew any of this and during that time i had it pretty rough.

symptoms were definitely worse.

Posted 12/27/2007 4:32 AM (GMT -6)
I was told that iron supplements are hard on the tummy too and affect your UC. But I have to say that after getting through a tough first 2 weeks my tummy and colon are now completely accepting the iron pills.

D
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