Iron

[Ninakm89]

Has anyone takin iron pills while on treatment? Is it ok to take iron? .. The first 2 months of treatment was so easy. Treatment is most definitely taking its toll on me now.. Headache all day everyday. Weak. Sick. Tired. Hair loss has been the most heart breaking for me.

[BigDaddy_59]

Like yodennis, I take iron per my hepatologist too and I am cirrhotic. I make sure they monitor me regurlarly for iron overload (hemochromotosis). ALWAYS check with your medical team!!!

[orphanedhawk]

My hepatologist told me that too much iron can cause cirrhosis.
If you have any liver damage, I'd suggest stay away from iron.
Multiple vitamins without iron are fine.

[Dannyboi7]

  Unless you have cirrhosis I don't see a problem with it,but nevertheless I wouldn't take a chance,careful if you also take vitamin C as  a supplement it will boost up your iron levels.Myself I took iron rich foods sometimes during treatment thinking it would boost my CBC whether it a difference this remains to be proven.For some reason unknown to me whenever I ate a lot of fish during treatment which was mainly salmon I tended to feel much better.

[yodennis]

Generically speaking (as the forum consensus reveals) it is detrimental to take supplemental iron when you have liver disease.....Specifically speaking you should always have your hepatologist ascertain the answers you get here: I am cirrhotic so no iron right?.....While on triple treatment I became terribly anemic and had to take Procrit weekly. Supplemental Iron optimizes the biological availability of Procrit therefore I was prescribed Iron as supplement relative to the Procrit.....So in this specific case the skull and crossbones on the Iron bottle were temporarily removed! My best. d

[Ninakm89]

I run all the time. I think it's time I looked into medication as well. Thank you for links.

[rivll]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/mood-swings-and-the-meds/show/292933
This link discusses the "riba rage" that is common during treatment.
You are not alone, if you can talk to your Dr. about anti depressants or anxiety meds, it may be one avenue but an easier way to go is to walk for about 45-60 minutes a day. It really does help.

IRON:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Iron-supplementation-during-treatment/show/1618874
Please read the above link about Iron supplements. Iron can be dangerous for people treating who have liver disease, but again check with your Doctor.

What you are experiencing is fairly common-read the links and more posts, you have a huge amount of info. at your fingertips here.
I know it is hard but hang in there it will be over before you know it and keep asking questions on this forum. There are a lot folks happy to help.
All the best

[Ninakm89]

I took 1. 65 mg . I really feel so sick. I figured one wont hurt until I speak with my doctor on Monday. But that's a shame I wasted that money.

[rk2761]

No, don't take iron supplements or vitamins with iron. I did for a couple of months (my nurse said it was ok), but on this forum so many people said you should not take iron that I stopped.

Iron won't make a difference anyway. The drugs you take are doing two things (according to my nurse): one is ripping apart your hemoglobin; the other is preventing new red blood cells from forming. So taking iron won't help you form new red blood cells.

It can also be dangerous. Some people with HepC don't excrete a lot of iron and it can build up in your liver and in other organs. So, check with your liver doctor about taking any kind of iron supplement.

rk

[Ninakm89]

Also I feel crazy like I don't know my mood has been up and down. I feel so bad for my boyfriend. I'm so happy he's still here but I can't stand these mood swings and how much I take out on him.