Girlfriend has iron deficiency + doesnt take meds

Hey guys

I'm normally pretty good with this shit but I've got no idea how to bring this up to my girlfriend without making me sound like a dick. My girl's got an iron deficiency and so she has to take iron pills. Her iron count is so low that she's actually balding. You can see her scalp through her hair and it's a huge turn off. I get really put off by it.

How do you guys figure I could bring it up to her without sounding like a major dick? She's pretty sensitive, especially about this.

 

There has to be a medical negative to not taking her pills. Whatever you do dont make the focus of your discussion on the fact that shes balding. I am sure she does not like it either. Bring up the conversation from a perspective that you care about her and these pills will only do good

 

My girlfriend is also really resistant to take medicine that she needs when ill, see doctors, etc. and I totally sympathize as someone who does these things without second thought. My approach is normally to bring it up as gently as possible. Let her know that you're concerned and that the pills are only going to benefit her. The most useful thing we've found is to make a routine out of it... either taking them at x time or after xyz meals or before brushing her teeth or something. Whatever you do, encouraging her is better than telling her that she needs to take them. Maybe try asking someone she respects and trusts (parents, doctor, etc.) to let her know she needs to take her pills?

Does she object to them for a particular reason? Or is it just the irrational "I don't need them" response?

 

Both the "I don't need them" response and that she has issues swallowing pills so it's a huge hassle for her.

 

Couldn't you always crush up the pills and put them in a drink or sprinkle it on food. If they are capsules you could open them?

 

Say this:

(Whatever you call her), I want to bring this up with you because I care about your well being. (Tell her this part if she isn't aware) Your iron deficiency causes you to lose hair and I can see your scalp through your hair. Now I'm not trying to sound insensitive, but you need to take your pills or do something about this. Your image reflects how others look at you. If you don't think it's an issue fine, but think about the people who care about your health. Again, not trying to sound insensitive, but your balding is a turn off that I won't be able to cope with knowing you won't do anything about it. In this relationship we have to help each other out. I am trying to help you so please help me.

Good luck and tell her not to interrupt until you're done saying what you have to say if you're gonna tell her face to face.

 

Just tell her that if she doesn't take her pills, the iron deficiency will cause her to bald. If she doesn't believe you, show her the studies.

I don't know how you can tell her she's balding without making her extremely insecure.

 

Just listen to me Blupig, something like this happened to a friend of my girlfriend. Just TRY and don't hurt her feelings, tell her this in the BEST WAY POSSIBLE, don't let her cry, and take her hand, she will eventually listen to you and later on , she will understand that all you wanted to do is help her.

Well, basically my girlfriend told her (in the best way possible) this-
"Listen to me carefully, i am going to be truly honest with you, you need to listen to me in order to help you, because you really mean alot to me and I highly care about your health and about your life. You are not only my girlfriend but my precious girl, you need to listen to me and help me giving you my hand and helping you, this is for both of us and I really know that this hurts you but this is getting out of control. This is not only your health but mine too, you must give me your hand to hhelp you, otherwise we're not going in the right way. Just let me help you please.
Basically this is it, you need to perform it a little and shape the borders, but this is mainly the thing.
Best of luck mate.

 

Maybe start taking daily vitamins yourself and just make it part of you guys' routine, yano, "no harm done, why not".

 

as said by many above the best thing to do is to talk to her and try your best to ensure she takes the pills...

but,
if you arent comfortable talking about it, why not incorporate iron rich foods into meals that you both eat (e.g. cook meals for you and her), that way you can help in a less direct way - you help her eat more iron without having the situation of a conversation about the deficiency.

iron rich foods

EDIT: google "liquid iron supplement" - found one called "WELLESSE Liquid Mineral Supplement" on amazon.com
the one i found has 18mg of iron per serving... obviously check with the doctor that it will actually help her in the same way as the pills.

 

Actually pretty good advice. I've tried similar things that have been successful especially when it comes to making them routine (i.e., one iron pill before breakfast, another before dinner, at the same time Blupig takes x)

 

How is her diet? Does she it healthy?

 

Sounds like something she needs to see a doctor for. He needs to tell her how serious anemia is and he should be able to give her an alternative to a pill.

By any chance, is your girlfriend an athlete or vegetarian/vegan? Take her out for a burger or something if she won't take supplements.

 

This one.

 

I don't recommend this unless you visit your doctor and tell him about these pills. Some may affect you, don't take pills without letting a doctor know about which ones can be taken and what are their minuses.

 

@ Roarys statement. He wouldn't have to take the same pill as her if it were something more serious like I wouldn't recommend anyone taking my stomach pill if they didn't need it but if I had someone that took a multivitamin at the same time as I took my stomach pill that would help me remember :

 

Granted, no doubt. I was thinking multivitamin, probiotic (Culturelle, etc.), or something along those lines. Could even take a sugar pill...

 

Multivitamins are different than actual iron supplements. I used to take iron supplements when I used to compete. Having too much iron is toxic, but the range is huge, so a multivitamin won't hurt a normal healthy person, but if he were to actually take iron supplements he should see a physician first and get blood drawn and get his feritin checked.

Does your girlfriend have trouble with strenuous physical activity (specifically, easily get out of breath quickly), or sleep a lot more than usual?

 

Yes, obviously they'd be taking different things but they'd be doing the same activity at the same time and it'd just seem normal.