Today was hell. Ever feel like you’re trying to pass a basketball out your backside? That’s how it felt. From about noon until just a little while ago. Stupid iron supplements. Guess I’ll be taking stool softeners with these in the future.
What is it, though, about constipation that is just so uncomfortable? I don’t think that part of the intestine has a lot of nerves and it seems like something just sitting there shouldn’t be as unpleasant as it is. It’s the complete opposite of urgency. So why is it so awful?
The internet is here for a reason. We should take advantage of it. Moral of the story - never take any kind of a supplement or a vitamin or a drug or well, whatever. without first researching the possible side effects! 'Cuz IME, you can’t trust your doctor to forewarn you. They may or they may not. And I would bet on the ‘may not’ part.
I am semi-geeky enough to have read enough online to know that iron supplements can cause constipation. And I have only rarely had that problem - but only rarely is enough for me to know that it totally sucks. You have my sympathy.
Drink a lot of water, up your fiber intake and it wouldn’t hurt to add some probiotics to help your distressed gut.
Hope you feel better soon. 
Oh I already knew they caused constipation. I just forgot to take the stool softener. I’ve now remedied the problem by putting them in my daily pill dispensers.
Gentle Iron is supposed to be non-constipating. I’ve heard about it, but never used it.
Threads seeking medical advice, anecdotes, and commiseration go in IMHO, so let me move this thither for you.
twickster, MPSIMS modertor