Question:
has anyone taken meds to prevent gall stones?

My surgeon has placed me on meds to prevent gall stones. I have really bad tissues and almost didn't make it through my RNY 06/23/03 (we didn't know about this problem before hand). He doesn't want me to risk developing gall stones. I have to take one capsule two times per day for six months. THEY ARE HUGE! They are capsules and don't come as a tablet. The pharmist said I could break them open and mix them into things. I have been doing this since Saturday. Problem is that they make the yogurt/applesauce/sf pudding gritty and a little bitter. I hate having to ruin breakfast and supper this way. I am only 15 days post-op so I am eating less than 1/4 cup at a meal. They have to be taken with food. Will my pouch strech enough for me to swallow them hole AND eat something at the same time or am I doomed to bitter gritty food until the middle of January?    — Kathy J. (posted on July 8, 2003)

July 8, 2003
My doctor gave me the same pills. I had open rny on 05-27-03 and I didn't take them for the first 2 weeks they tasted so bad. I finally realized that I wasn't going to get around it and so now I open them up, pour the powder on a tablespoon add a drop of water or juice and swallow! I like this much better than ruining a precious meal. Good Luck, Mindy
   — Mindy B.

July 8, 2003
Hi, I asked my surgeon to prescribe actigal I don't want a problem with my gall bladder. I can take these pills whole without a problem, as long as I don't have them with any thing else. Good Luck. MaryLyn 5/21/03 -43
   — Kriola

July 8, 2003
yes, I am on the same thing (five months post). Until I could take the capsules normally, what I did was open the capsule and pour it directly into my mouth, then wash it down with a swallow of liquid. Then I would immediately eat something (like applesauce). This was by far the easiest way for me to tolerate them.
   — johanniter

July 8, 2003
I had my RNY on 3-25-03, and my surgeon also perscribes actigall, what I did for the first 6 weeks is to take sf chocolate pudding and spread a thin layer on a spoon open the capsule and sprinkle it on the spoon, then cover with some more pudding. You can't taste it this way, and it doesn't ruin the whole meal. I am now 4 month out and was able to swallow the pill whole after my 6 week checkup, not so bad now. Hope this helps. Good luck to you
   — KIM E.

July 9, 2003
I'm on those, too. I have been able to swallow them. I just make sure my pouch is empty, I take one sip to wet my mouth (or the capsules stick) and take one with a drink of water. Here's some advice I learned once. Capsules float to the top of liquid, so after drinking the water, point your chin down and the capsule will float to the top, which is the back of your throat in this position. Then swallow. This little bit of info has helped me so much over the years.
   — Liz R.

July 9, 2003
Whenever i drink my protein shake, I just swallow it right along. It goes right down, and I can't even feel it. Now if only the calcium citrate was that easy...
   — Laydie K.