Medication Question

I am three weeks out. Can anyone give me any suggestions as to how they take their meds in connection with their food. This is such a challenge for me as I have been nauseas at least once a day for the last 6 days. I stopped taking my two iron pills at the same time and that helped, but I have to wait 4 hours from the iron pills to the calcium pills. It is all so confusing and I was just wondering what other people do with their meds and foods. Thanks, Phyllis

Phyllis, I am with you! We need an appointment book to keep track!! I look forward to some replies. Julia

I had a bunch of medications that I had to take for about 2 weeks post-op and my only suggestion is a diary. My food journal had everything in it from food and any reaction to food, grams of protein, ounces of water, bowel movements and any associated problems and of course medication. This journal was with me everywhere and it was absolutely the only way I could keep track of everything. It seems like a lot of work but in the event that something happens, it can go to the hospital with me and all the info is right there. My medicine part looked like this.... Vitamin - 0800, (2200) Reglan - 0800, (1200), (1600), (2000) The first time listed sets my pace for the rest of the day, the times in parentheses are the times throughout the day that I have to take them and as I take them, I line out or check mark the time. Also, if the medicine has to be taken with food or on an empty stomach or whatever, I would mark that by highlighter or circle or something so that I would know. It took me a couple of weeks to get a documentation system down that worked for me. Hang in there - post op is a full time job with everything you have to worry about. Keep great records and you won't go wrong. Dave Boston Open RNY-041505-488/423

I feel you. I'm at 5 weeks out; however, my surgeon's nutrit. said to take the pills 15 mins. before eating. This helped me with the nausea. If this doesn't work, talk to them about letting you take the pills 1/2 hour after eating. I did this in the beginning & it helped. Now, as to what I'm taking & when. First of all, I had the DS so my requirements may be a bit diff. than yours. What I did was to type up a chart & stick it to my refrig. or I'd never remember all of them. Here's what's up there now: DAILY INTAKE OF PILLS TAKE EACH 15 MINS. BEFORE THE MEAL Breakfast: 1 Multi-vitamin per day -- Centrum 2 Calcium pills with Vit. D in them (500 mg. each) 1 ADEK Lunch: 2 Calcium pills with Vit. D in them (500 mg. each) 1 Pepsid (through July 10, 2005). This is to prevent the heartburn I was experiencing. 1 ADEK 1 Gallbladder Pill (Urso 250 mg. tab). This is only for 6 mos. as they left my gallbladder in. Dinner: 2 Calcium pills with Vit. D in them (500 mg. each) 1 ADEK 1 Gallbladder Pill (Urso 250 mg. tab). This is only for 6 mos. as they left my gallbladder in. Evening (Without Food): *1 Iron Pill (Niferex - 150 Forte Cap. This is a prescription.) (45 minutes before/after eating). Don't take with milk, coffee, tea, antacids. *I was originally supposed to take this twice a day; however, I ran into heartburn problems & stomach aches. Therefore, I was told to try it once a day before I go to bed (as I had no problems at that time) & when my labs are checked (in a couple of months) we'll see if I need to increase it. If so, I was told there are ways to make it go down easier. Hope this helps, A _____________________________ Duodenal Switch -- Dr. Alfons Pomp New York City, New York April 11, 2005: 256lbs / BMI: 43.9 May 10, 2005: 237lbs / BMI: 40.7

As far as I know you have to crush your meds, and as far as Iron or B12 the stomach can not absorb it like before, so it must be taken sublingual, or intramuscular or inhaled. Vitamins can also be spray form, look into this. Do what you must to be healthy.