I'm excited! Found out I am anemic today!

[Skeezix]

I'm so glad they figured it out, I know what a relief it is.

I'm another anemic one, this spring I was having a terrible time with my energy. I could make it through my training but then I was coming home and crashing. I finally went to the doctor when I came thisclose to fainting at the gym.

Now I take the magical combo of iron pills when I know my diet has been lacking in the natural kind.

Hopefully you'll be feeling back up to perfect soon!

[KSH]

I'm so glad they figured it out, I know what a relief it is.

I'm another anemic one, this spring I was having a terrible time with my energy. I could make it through my training but then I was coming home and crashing. I finally went to the doctor when I came thisclose to fainting at the gym.

Now I take the magical combo of iron pills when I know my diet has been lacking in the natural kind.

Hopefully you'll be feeling back up to perfect soon!

That's good that you found out too.

So, what is your magical combo of iron pills?

Well, I have been on the 2 iron pills a day for about a week now and I don't really feel a huge difference if any.

[KSH]

KSH glad you've figured out the root of your problem...

Your doctor or nutritionist probably already told you but you should supplement your iron intake with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is key to absorbing your iron intake. (Just re-read the thread and Xrayted mentioned this too!)

So lots and lots of fruit will definatley help out absorbing the iron you're putting into your body so your developing red cells can develop their Haemaglobin better...

Well that's the dumbed down explanation of it anyway

I dunno whether you have anything similar to Milo in the states. 1 glass of it contains 50% RDI of Vitamin C and Iron. (Plus it 's crunchy and sprinkles nicely on Icecream too)

No Milo here in the States... I think.

But I am taking Vitamin C and trying to eat oranges.

[Dianyla]

Well, I have been on the 2 iron pills a day for about a week now and I don't really feel a huge difference if any.

It takes weeks to bring blood counts up, and months to fully rebuild your iron stores. I started to feel some small improvements around the 3rd week of iron supplementation.

Hence, I'm always very suspicious of anyone who says they're tired and then pops an iron pill and then says they feel all peppy again!

[KSH]

It takes weeks to bring blood counts up, and months to fully rebuild your iron stores. I started to feel some small improvements around the 3rd week of iron supplementation.

Hence, I'm always very suspicious of anyone who says they're tired and then pops an iron pill and then says they feel all peppy again!

Crap. Really? So, the week AFTER my half ironman... I'll have some of my energy back.

The Dr. did say I could take 3 pills a day... but I'm only taking 2. Will taking 1 more a day help? The sooner I have some energy the better! I'm doing my half ironman in 9 days.

[Skeezix]

Yes, it does take weeks to build your iron stores back up. That is the bummer part of it.

I take a B12 suppliment (it desolves under my tongue) and then an iron pill (I can't remember how much or what kind since they are at home).

I found that menu planning helps me forsee weeks when I don't get enough natural iron in and I make sure to take an extra pill every day those weeks as opposed to the single pill I take when I am getting enough dietary-based iron.

[Dianyla]

The Dr. did say I could take 3 pills a day... but I'm only taking 2. Will taking 1 more a day help? The sooner I have some energy the better! I'm doing my half ironman in 9 days.

I hate to sound unsupportive, but be prepared to have a potentially sucky event. I rode the STP (double-century) while seriously anemic. It took me 18 very slow and sluggish hours and weeks to recover afterwards. In fact, those very weeks of feeling like total crap that followed were what prompted me to go see a doctor and that's when I was first diagnosed as anemic 2 years ago.

Hopefully, your event will go better for you. But be kind to your body, there's a difference between sucking it up and grinding yourself down to nothing.

[KSH]

I hate to sound unsupportive, but be prepared to have a potentially sucky event. I rode the STP (double-century) while seriously anemic. It took me 18 very slow and sluggish hours and weeks to recover afterwards. In fact, those very weeks of feeling like total crap that followed were what prompted me to go see a doctor and that's when I was first diagnosed as anemic 2 years ago.

Hopefully, your event will go better for you. But be kind to your body, there's a difference between sucking it up and grinding yourself down to nothing.

Hey, you just have to tell it like it is.

I don't think I'm severly anemic... and I suspect I have been training with anemia for months.

I rode a century last weekend, mind you, it was slow... about 7 hours (we had a struggler in the back- and we had a 2 hour lunch so we were out for 9 hours)... but when it was done I felt pretty good. I had enough energy to stay awake another 3 hours before crashing out.

My Half Ironman should be only 8 hours at the most, and I'm going to make sure I pace myself. No blow out's for me.

Then after the race, I'm taking some needed rest for a good couple of months... only doing what I feel like doing.

Sorry to hear you had such a rough time of it. At least it prompted you to go see a Dr. I hope you doing better now.

[Dianyla]

KSH, I really hope your event goes well!

[RoadRaven]

Hey there
Glad you found out what your body needed...

Just a thought... I find iron tablets make me constipated, and I use this liquid stuff made for children who are off their food. Its called incremin - its a supplement of Vit B, iron and lysine...
Just in case you are finding the tablets a bit tough on your gut

[KSH]

Hey there
Glad you found out what your body needed...

Just a thought... I find iron tablets make me constipated, and I use this liquid stuff made for children who are off their food. Its called incremin - its a supplement of Vit B, iron and lysine...
Just in case you are finding the tablets a bit tough on your gut

Oh trust me... there is NO constipation going on here. Actually, if I got some I would welcome it!

These pills have been absolutely fine on my tummy thus far.

Thanks for the tips though!