Umm..err...what was your first solid bowel movement like? Yes, I just asked that. I'm taking iron and I know that has an effect on the color and consistency. I don't have insurance and would like to hear others experiences before making a rash plan and heading to the ER to tell me it's the iron causing the issue. I'm also tired, but I just had a traumatic surgery to my body on the 19th and I barely eat,lol. I know I'm going to receive a "better to be safe than sorry" response, but I wanted to ask for others experiences and if this was somewhat normal. I plan to stop takin the iron for a few days and see how that affects things. I know that will increase the lethargy a bit. I also forgot to mention that I went to Mexico for my surgery and don't really feel like I have any support from the company that I went through. I'm on the thickened liquids portion of my diet, so protein shakes plus jello, soups..simple foods.

I just talked with my dad who is a retired pharmacist and he said the iron would definitly mimic a GI bleed in look and appearance. It's that whole "lack of insurance, worst case scenario" that's looming over my head. I also emailed the coordination company that I went through and asked for a DR's direct email. I seemed to have misplaced it in my mountain o paperwork.

Stools commonly become dark green or black when iron preparations are taken by mouth. This is caused by unabsorbed iron and is harmless. However, in rare cases, black stools of a sticky consistency may occur along with other side effects such as red streaks in the stool, cramping, soreness, or sharp pains in the stomach or abdominal area. Check with your health care professional immediately if these side effects appear.

I too am supposed to be taking iron. I have iron deficiency anemia. I took my first dose a week after surgery and within a half hour had diarrhea that was black clumps in a rust color. I freaked out. After that I have not taken it. I see my nurse in a few days so i am going to ask for either a liquid or some other way. It was very unsettling for me.

You can in fact have a few bloody stools after surgery