Question:
Is it normal for it to hurt when taking capsuls?

When taking my medicine in capsule form it hurts very badly. I am three weeks post-op today. Is this normal?    — Dorothy M. (posted on May 1, 2001)

May 1, 2001
Dorothy, I am 2 1/2 weeks post ops and has the same problem with some of my meds. Depending on the pill there are certain things my Dr. and pharmicist told me I could do. Some of the capsules I can break apart and mix in with puddings while others I can mix in with a drink. With some of the other pills they gave me I have to cut up into smaller parts. Some of these pills are bigger than my stomach is now. Check with your Dr. or phamicist to make sure it is ok to do this with the meds they have you on. Best wishes and good luck.
   — Barry R.

May 1, 2001
I have heard a couple people in one of the support groups I attend talk about this.. some have found that the capusules swell and can get lodged therefore causing pain... its recommended (if your medicine can be infact taken this way.. do check w/ your pharmacist)that you take the capsule appart and mix it in somethign to take. I know w/ the surgery I am seeking the surgen recommends no time released meds as I am to crush all medicines from the point of surgery and for the rest of my life. I know many people don't do it forever.. I am hoping to follow what my dr says to a T.
   — Dawn R.

May 3, 2001
I was told that I couldn't take capsules, as they could lodge in the pouch! Any capsule meds were changed to pill form or if they were extended release, changed to a different medication. Pills are split or crushed, can't swallow any pill larger than an M&M. Split pills (each piece) has to be taken at least 1 minute apart, and when switching to a different pill, 5 minutes. Good Luck!
   — Jeanne P.

May 4, 2001
If your capsule dissolves in water within 15 minutes, you should be able to keep taking it as is. If not, empty it into something like applesauce (just a smidge) and eat with a spoon. For example, my multi-vitamins are huge capsules, but I've been swallowing them just fine since the day I got home from the hospital. I need to put another one in applesauce, even though it's much smaller, because the outer shell is designed to dissolve only in stomach acid and RNYs have little acid left. When I took that one whole I was pretty uncomfortable until it managed to shift around and get through my stoma "head first." You may need to do some experimenting. By the way, not all capsules are time-released medicine.
   — Linda B.

May 4, 2001
What kind of meds? How long after taking it does it hurt? Try this: dump the meds into something you tolerate well, your protein drink, some s/f Tang, Crystal Light, food.... Then, put the empty cap back together. See how long it takes to dissolve in your mouth. I, unfortunately, ran this test on a full capsule. Duh. But in les than 4 minutes, it dissolves, just from saliva. However, it sat for over 5 hours in a glass of water. Never thought of that until the mfr made me do this test. Now, I need to run a test with saliva AND water to see how long it takes.
   — vitalady