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Iron suppliments make lyme pain soar?

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Posted 2/23/2021 4:35 AM (GMT -5)
I have had Lyme disease now for about 14 years, tried every treatment there is and then some, to no avail. Recent bloodwork showed why I am so weak my Iron count is 14 norm is 5-200, and my D3 is 46 normal is 75-250. I have started iron suppliments orally (I am already on B12 injections monthly) but it is making my lyme pain soar to almost where I cannot cope with it and I have a high pain tolerance. I am on oxy, gabapentin, elavil, duloxitene and diclofenac already. I know lyme stall the iron and converts it to manganese which helps it go undetected and that is the reason for such low numbers but has anyone experienced such excruciating pain with oral iron?
Posted 2/23/2021 8:30 AM (GMT -5)
Welcome to the forum! I'm sorry to hear that you are struggling.

Iron supplements have a tendency to constipate people (as do some of the other things you're taking). In my case, even the gentlest "non-constipating" iron constipates me after a single dose. For me, this creates an uptick in inflammation (which includes pain) and an overall toxic feeling. If you are not moving your bowels completely every day, then I would encourage you to find ways to make that happen while you supplement iron, in case that's a contributing factor.

One iron supplement (Ferrochel) gave me acute liver pain.

My ferritin is always low (15) and my D has never been as high as 46. (I live in New England, and I don't know a single person whose iron is that high in the winter, regardless of diet and supplementation, unless they work outdoors.) Is anything abnormal in your blood counts - like low red blood cells or low platelets - or just the total iron count? I'm not implying that these things are not causing issues for you - they very well could be - but I wanted to let you know that these are not dire numbers, as reassurance.

I wish I had more ideas to help solve the mystery! I hope this rough phase passes soon.
Posted 2/26/2021 8:35 AM (GMT -5)
My LLMD had me go off iron (Ferrochel) immediately as she says it “feeds the Lyme”. My nutritionist agreed.
Posted 2/26/2021 9:40 AM (GMT -5)
I don't think Borrelia utilize iron in any way (I could be wrong), but I believe iron supplements can theoretically induce significant changes in gut flora thereby affecting your immune function.

I think the type of iron supplement is important.. some have less of a chance to make it past gut flora and into the blood.

Also I agree w saraeli in that low iron and d may or may not be relevant to your symptom picture.
Posted 2/26/2021 10:16 AM (GMT -5)
I have been on iron supplements for over ten years due to anemia from fibroids. I have had a uterine fibroid embolism which helped but my levels esp ferratin stays low. I have heard that iron supplements can make candida worse but I did not know that iron feeds Lyme, that is really discouraging. Dose anyone know which iron supplement would be better than ferrous sulfate?
Posted 2/26/2021 12:27 PM (GMT -5)

Cheerful Gator said...
My LLMD had me go off iron (Ferrochel) immediately as she says it “feeds the Lyme”. My nutritionist agreed.

Hello Cheerful Gator ! Welcome to the forum.
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