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Has anyone suffered with terrible side effects to either IV or oral iron?

Sides effects have resulted in hospital admission. Side effects including dehydration, stomach pain, loose stool, blood in stool, loss of appetite and feelings of nausea. Has anyone suffered with terrible side effects to either IV or oral iron?

  1. Hi there , thanks for reaching out with your question. We're sorry to hear that you've experienced these unpleasant side effects! I hope that other community members can chime in here- as I know that you are not alone in experiencing side effects to IV or oral iron! If I may ask, did you experience these side effects with both intakes? I wanted to share this article with you from our site- where our team member shares that she had horrible side effects from oral iron and had to move onto IV: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/living/expect-during-iron-infusion/ Best, Ashley (Team Member)

  2. Hi .
    I can't tolerate oral iron at all. For me, it either resulted in passing A LOT of green water, or constipation. The constipation would make my abdomen very uncomfortable, and because I have no colon it would worry me, because if things started to back up, it was never long before the vomiting started!
    I tend to be a lot better with IV. I get a couple of stomach pain the next day, but they go after that!
    - Sahara (team member)

    1. It's been awhile, thankfully, since I needed iron. I never tolerated pills. Early on I asked about infusion. Now if there's a problem I go to local oncology & dermatology ofc
      & they infuse. Comfortable, and no side effects for me. I bless my insurance for enabling this treatment.

  3. Iron really bothers me. I don't take multi-vitamins with iron or definitely not iron supplements. I learned the hard way.

    That said, I can eat foods with iron in them like spinach or chicken liver. Sorry you ended up in the hospital. That is terrible.

    But, be advised, iron is known to cause stomach trouble/constipation etc. I never had IV iron, but just a regular iron supplement can cause problems so just know what you're experiencing is not altogether uncommon. Hope you feel better and get out of the hospital soon.

  4. Your not alone with the side effects of iron supplements it also does it to me no matter which brand i try, they make me flare with symptoms including black poop, blood in poop with some diarrhoea, constipation sometimes, stomach pain, nausea, cramps.

    1. Since it has been a while since your last iron infusion, I don't think it would hurt to bring it up at your next appointment with your gastro, or if you have the option of a patient portal, you can even message them through that if you want to try and ask about it sooner. I don't think it would hurt bringing it up with your GP as well, especially if you are due for some bloodwork. They should both be able to guide you in the right direction on if another iron infusion is something to consider again! I wanted to attach two articles that may help give you some ideas of what to ask about when you talk with them! https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/living/anemia-tips-ulcerative-colitis // https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/symptoms/complications/anemia - Keep us posted! -Kimberli (Team Member)

    2. i saw this 6 year old post and saw the opportunity to share my ibd experience with my 10 year moderate UC diagnosis

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