Second Thoughts about DS?
Hello everyone, Happy Thursday!!
I'm currently awaiting approval for my DS and while I'm doing so I continue to read all I can and learn as much as I can about the DS and what my life will be like after surgery. So, I am well aware of the numerous vitamins that I will be required to take for the rest of my life. When I first heard of this, I just said to myself that I will deal with that when the time comes. You see, I am not very good at taking my oral medications. I have no problem remembering to take them, its the act of physically swallowing them. The small ones I can do with no problem. Right now I'm taking Diovan, which is a fairly large pill, a 10 MEQ potassium pill and a Citrical Petite all of which I have a difficult time getting down. I do eventually take them, but it is over a course of 3 or 4 hours. I feel like I'm going to throw up (excuse the term) and I have to drink sooo much water just to get 1 pill down and It fills me up and I have to wait before I can take any of my other meds. So now, as I get closer to having surgery, the reality is starting to set in and I'm worried that I won't be able to take all the required vitamins. I should also mention, that I am currently taking a chewable multivitamin and gummy B-complex vitamin because of my pill-swallowing problems. I know some things can be crushed and taken with applesauce etc...but I was under the impression that you could not do this with vitamins.
Does anyone have any suggestions or advice because I'm really starting to panic. I should be getting a response from my insurance soon. Thanks a bunch.. You all are great!!
Barbara
I'm currently awaiting approval for my DS and while I'm doing so I continue to read all I can and learn as much as I can about the DS and what my life will be like after surgery. So, I am well aware of the numerous vitamins that I will be required to take for the rest of my life. When I first heard of this, I just said to myself that I will deal with that when the time comes. You see, I am not very good at taking my oral medications. I have no problem remembering to take them, its the act of physically swallowing them. The small ones I can do with no problem. Right now I'm taking Diovan, which is a fairly large pill, a 10 MEQ potassium pill and a Citrical Petite all of which I have a difficult time getting down. I do eventually take them, but it is over a course of 3 or 4 hours. I feel like I'm going to throw up (excuse the term) and I have to drink sooo much water just to get 1 pill down and It fills me up and I have to wait before I can take any of my other meds. So now, as I get closer to having surgery, the reality is starting to set in and I'm worried that I won't be able to take all the required vitamins. I should also mention, that I am currently taking a chewable multivitamin and gummy B-complex vitamin because of my pill-swallowing problems. I know some things can be crushed and taken with applesauce etc...but I was under the impression that you could not do this with vitamins.
Does anyone have any suggestions or advice because I'm really starting to panic. I should be getting a response from my insurance soon. Thanks a bunch.. You all are great!!
Barbara
k9ophile
on 8/2/12 8:31 am, edited 8/2/12 9:00 am
on 8/2/12 8:31 am, edited 8/2/12 9:00 am
You can get some medicines in liquid form. You can crush your medicines or open the capsules and sprinkle the contents into your mouth. I have had episodes of coughing or sneezing with ugly results making me look like Puff the Magic Dragon. I have some that I crush that are bitter pills to swallow so I think I know where that cliche came from. My liquids aren't very tasty either. Yet I would be taking these with the RNY. I just deal with it.
"Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us." Stephen Covey
Don't litter! Spay or neuter your pet
(deactivated member)
on 8/2/12 9:15 am
on 8/2/12 9:15 am
Hi Barbara,
Nice to meet you. I've kind of been doing the reading and learning thing too lately. My approval came through, just waiting to schedule it now.
I'm sorry about your issue swallowing pills -- no suggestions but just wanted to wish you good luck.
Trixie
Hi Barbara,
You are wise to ask questions pre surgery. Fnding vitamins and supplements is a creative endevor for me. I prefer gummy if at all possible. immediately post surgery I had esophageal spasms for a few weeks making any kind of swallowing painful. For this short time I used "One-A-Day" gummies, the equalivent of the bariatric vitamins. Next I switched to a vitamin shake mix from my doctors store. Also I tried the chewable flavored vitamins. Not liking the gritty chew, I blended them in Crystal Lite. My nutritionist said it was fine to do this, even making them ahead and keep the vitamin drink in the fridge. Next when I could swallow a capsule I used bariatric capsule vitamins from my docs store, and Bariatric Choice on line, or Diet Direct.
Surgeon/nutritionist Grand Health Partners suggested: I take 3 multi vit capsules a day, one AquaADEK, 4 Calcet Creamy Bites,one Iron/C, one Prilosec, one B-1. My labs are always spot on with just these.
Optional: 2 Omega-3 Wild Alaskan Salmon oil, 2 Biotin for hair,
Gummy : Fber w/ D-3, Power C, vitamin D-3, Daily Immune antioxidant Complex, Acai Energy.
( B-12 gummies put me over the top, had to quit) My next labs are at the end of Aug, at my one year Doc office visit. I'll see if any of these extra supplements send me over the limit.
I seem to be absorbing my vitamins more than most people, the same anmount of vits are doing fine for me. With my synthroid, timing of pill taking is very important. I am aware of spacing all of the supplements throughout the day, and especially cautious about taking calcium seperate from iron, and usually by its self. Iron is always last just before bed, several hours after any of the other pills. Sleeping a bit propped up with 2 pillows helps prevent reflux with the last iron pill and enough water to take it successfully. One of my on going issues is reflux after drinking, if I lay flat.
Just yesterday a lady asked me about the yogurt I was picking out, noticed me reading the label at length, comparing the carbs on various cartons. She told me I looked so healthy, not like the other people she knew who had WLS. I bet they didnt have the D.S., because she had not heard of it., and its not offered in town here. I asked her to send any one interested in it to Grand Rapids--Mi, to Grand Health Partners. She said she would for sure.
What made me smile most was looking at her grocery cart, with small amounts of low fat diet foods, and my cart overflowing with a variety of meat- pork ribs, chicken wings, chicken breast tenders, ground turkey, several kinds of cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, fruit- blueberries, grapes,cherries,plums, nuts, yogurt, oatmeal cookies and natural vanilla bean ice cream. My fridge is packed with goodies, and I am having fun cooking the same way as I always have the Medeterainian way -- fresh foods with olive oil and butter. No counting calories, or measuring fat intake, just limited carbs and sugar. Notice I said limited, not "No" carbs and sugar. ( protein shakes and protein fruit drinks throughout the day insure reaching protein and fluid levels , along with fresh foods like the ones listed above.) I know I am getting a lot of good nutrition from all the endless food choices I can have. My energy and smiles sharing D.S. facts must be making me stand out in comparison to other WLS people. ;-)
You are wise to ask questions pre surgery. Fnding vitamins and supplements is a creative endevor for me. I prefer gummy if at all possible. immediately post surgery I had esophageal spasms for a few weeks making any kind of swallowing painful. For this short time I used "One-A-Day" gummies, the equalivent of the bariatric vitamins. Next I switched to a vitamin shake mix from my doctors store. Also I tried the chewable flavored vitamins. Not liking the gritty chew, I blended them in Crystal Lite. My nutritionist said it was fine to do this, even making them ahead and keep the vitamin drink in the fridge. Next when I could swallow a capsule I used bariatric capsule vitamins from my docs store, and Bariatric Choice on line, or Diet Direct.
Surgeon/nutritionist Grand Health Partners suggested: I take 3 multi vit capsules a day, one AquaADEK, 4 Calcet Creamy Bites,one Iron/C, one Prilosec, one B-1. My labs are always spot on with just these.
Optional: 2 Omega-3 Wild Alaskan Salmon oil, 2 Biotin for hair,
Gummy : Fber w/ D-3, Power C, vitamin D-3, Daily Immune antioxidant Complex, Acai Energy.
( B-12 gummies put me over the top, had to quit) My next labs are at the end of Aug, at my one year Doc office visit. I'll see if any of these extra supplements send me over the limit.
I seem to be absorbing my vitamins more than most people, the same anmount of vits are doing fine for me. With my synthroid, timing of pill taking is very important. I am aware of spacing all of the supplements throughout the day, and especially cautious about taking calcium seperate from iron, and usually by its self. Iron is always last just before bed, several hours after any of the other pills. Sleeping a bit propped up with 2 pillows helps prevent reflux with the last iron pill and enough water to take it successfully. One of my on going issues is reflux after drinking, if I lay flat.
Just yesterday a lady asked me about the yogurt I was picking out, noticed me reading the label at length, comparing the carbs on various cartons. She told me I looked so healthy, not like the other people she knew who had WLS. I bet they didnt have the D.S., because she had not heard of it., and its not offered in town here. I asked her to send any one interested in it to Grand Rapids--Mi, to Grand Health Partners. She said she would for sure.
What made me smile most was looking at her grocery cart, with small amounts of low fat diet foods, and my cart overflowing with a variety of meat- pork ribs, chicken wings, chicken breast tenders, ground turkey, several kinds of cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, fruit- blueberries, grapes,cherries,plums, nuts, yogurt, oatmeal cookies and natural vanilla bean ice cream. My fridge is packed with goodies, and I am having fun cooking the same way as I always have the Medeterainian way -- fresh foods with olive oil and butter. No counting calories, or measuring fat intake, just limited carbs and sugar. Notice I said limited, not "No" carbs and sugar. ( protein shakes and protein fruit drinks throughout the day insure reaching protein and fluid levels , along with fresh foods like the ones listed above.) I know I am getting a lot of good nutrition from all the endless food choices I can have. My energy and smiles sharing D.S. facts must be making me stand out in comparison to other WLS people. ;-)
Duodenal Switch- lap
Dr. Paul. Kemmeter Grand Rapids, Mi.
Dr. John Renucci, Plastics, Body contouring,Grand Rapids, Mi.
Start 255/ Surgery wt 235/ Current wt. 117
BMI-20, 135 lbs lost, 5'3"
Yes, there are chewables and liquid vitamins, which I would recommend doing over trying to mix something in applesauce (blech). I would like you to try this technique today, though. I may change EVERYTHING.....
1) fill mouth with water and tilt your head back
2) drop pill in your mouth and swallow it all together - you won't feel a thing.
I taught my son how to do this when he was only 4 years old, and never had to chase him around the house with a spoon again. It's brought a lot of relief to others who had trouble with pills sitting on the back of their tongue and trying to wash them down.
Now, as a new post op, I was only able to do 1 pill at a time, however today I can do a handfull.
1) fill mouth with water and tilt your head back
2) drop pill in your mouth and swallow it all together - you won't feel a thing.
I taught my son how to do this when he was only 4 years old, and never had to chase him around the house with a spoon again. It's brought a lot of relief to others who had trouble with pills sitting on the back of their tongue and trying to wash them down.
Now, as a new post op, I was only able to do 1 pill at a time, however today I can do a handfull.
Valerie
DS 2005
There is room on this earth for all of God's creatures..
next to the mashed potatoes
k9ophile
on 8/3/12 12:01 pm
on 8/3/12 12:01 pm
This is great advice for more solid pills. For capsules that tend to float, put the capsule in your mouth, take a mouthful of liquid, and lean forward letting the capsule float towards the top of your mouth and since it's now closer to the throat, it's easier to swallow. I used to have the hardest time with pills until I learned these tricks. The liquids and capsules I open are more readily absorbed (or so my doctor says.)
"Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us." Stephen Covey
Don't litter! Spay or neuter your pet
I am with Valerie on this. You may want to start on chewables but eventually get to where you can take regular pills and capsules. It would save you a lot of $$$. Besides what Val said, also make certain that you are not turning your head to the right or left but straight ahead. I was having trouble with swallowing my supplements and realized it was only when I wasn't holding my head straight. Strange, I know.
~Gail R~ high wt.288, surg wt 274, LW 143, CW 153, GW164
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