I have been on iron supplements for several days because my hemoglobin is only 10.1, and it needs to be higher prior to surgery. The supplements are making me miserable. I have irritable bowel syndrome and they are giving me a lot of gas, gas pains and pretty bad diarrhea. Does anyone have any recommendations for a different brand or formulation? I am just taking vegetarian tablets from CVS.

There is a brand of iron called Slow FE that is supposed to be gentler on the stomach. I believe it is time released. I took it whil pregnant years ago. Good luck

There is a brand of Iron called Slow FE that is supposed to be gentler on the stomach. I believe it is time released. I took it whil pregnant years ago. Good luck

thanks, I will try that

I had a hmg of 9 before surgery. Slow fe killed my stomach. I ended up needed iron infusions because supplements didn't work for me. I hope you find something that helps you.

If it comes down to it can you get an iron infusion? Would hate to have you postpone your surgery

I had the same issue with iron deficiency prior to surgery and my Doc prescribed 2 Iron infusions. I went to the hospitals infusion center and they give you an IV and it takes about 2 hours - i did that twice and numbers came back up to safe territory. My Doc said if i just did supplements it would take months. Not sure if the infusions will upset you as much as supplements but at least its quicker and possibley more effective. good luck.

Thank you all for the ideas. I will talk to my doctor about iron infusions. I really need to find something that I can tolerate post-op because I know it will only get worse after the sleeve. If you can't tolerate the oral iron, can you get periodic iron infusions? If so, how often would you need them?

Thank you all for the ideas. I will talk to my doctor about Iron infusions. I really need to find something that I can tolerate post-op because I know it will only get worse after the sleeve. If you can't tolerate the oral iron' date=' can you get periodic iron infusions? If so, how often would you need them?[/quote']

I was told I shouldn't put my stomach through the problems i had preop so early on (almost 3 months post op). I am in the middle of a series of 8 infusions. I had to go to a hematologist in order to get the infusions.