Hoping you can help....PICA?

So, I was told last week that I was anemic, and was given an iron supplement. I have since found myself wanting to eat the strangest things like laundry detergent, chalk, bath soap and even sand. I know that a sign of anemia is pica--where you want to eat non-food items, but I can't really find any good info on it. How long does it take for iron supplements to work? It's been several days now, but the weird cravings seem to have gotten worse, not better. Now don't worry, I'm not gonna actually EAT the stuff, but I would rather not daydream about serving up a heaping bowl of tide for myself either. How weird is this??! Any insight or opinion you've got would be really appreciated!

Reyna

 

I've heard of pica, but never had someone actually describe what it feels like... how bizarre! That must be a really weird thing to experience. Can you call your doc or maybe an NP at your doc's office and ask? The fact that it's gotten worse is a little strange, although I think I remember hearing that pregnancy itself can cause pica and not just anemia.

How many iron pills does your doc have you taking per day? You may need to up the dosage.

 

Since your cravings have started SINCE you found out you were anemic, do you think your cravings could just be the power of suggestion? I would be more suspicious of PICA if you were craving dirt and then found out you were anemic.

Hope you start craving food again soon!

 

I actually had the cravings before I got the iron pills, but they have just gotten more intense since I started taking them. The power of suggestion is a powerful thing....but in my rational mind it would take a whole lot of suggesting for bath soap to start sounding good! Weird, huh.....

Reyna

 

Don't eat the soap! Hang in there. I hope the iron pills start doing their job soon. When do you get your iron levels checked again?

 

If I were you, I would let the doc know asap (not call in to the on-call doc but next time you go in). After my doc discovered my iron was low, they asked frequently if I had cravings for non-food items/pica.

 

I am slightly anemic all the time & it actually went away with my first pregnancy & went away the first half of this pregnancy. It is odd that your cravings are getting WORSE. One huge suggestion is to take your iron supplement with a glass of orange juice. I can't remember if it is the citric acid or vitamin C... but one of the helps your body better absorb it... the human body is very poor at absorbing iron on its own! Also DON'T take it with foods high in calcium... part of the calcium (I think the calcium phosfate?) actually PREVENTS the absorbstion of iron.

As for how soon... iron should start to help your body with-in about 12 hours.

BUT once your body may be having another vitamin deficincy.... not JUST the iron. I would probably call & ask your OB or doc that gave them to you.

One of the most common PICA sign for iron deficincy is eating ice!!!

 

I am severely anemic and my only sign is craving ICE, which is a little different from the pica but along the same lines.

I don't know how long it takes, but my doc told me that any iron I take now won't really have an effect for a month; it takes that long for the body to process it, so I'm not sure where the pp's 12 hour number comes from.

Also i've read the same about taking w/vitamin C which helps absorb it and AVOIDING mixing it w./calcium which inhibits.

i would definitely tell your doc and yes, DO avoid a nice heaping bowl of Tide (but the image was funny!)

 

Well, I DID call the ob today...but only after I nearly passed out in the grocery store. I luckily made it to the car and sat there for about 15 minutes until my DH came and brought me some juice and food. So, I was able to drive home...call the ob and discuss both the fainting feeling (I just hadn't eaten in awhile...I had no appetite today) and the Pica. She didn't seem too concerned about the pica--just said to keep taking the iron (btw....thanks for everyone reminding me about the whole calcium cancelling it out bit. I had forgotten that and took my pill with a glass of milk today...duh) and to keep my blood sugar up. So, I will now stop freaking out. Thanks for your advice!

Reyna