Question:
Been post op 2 years next month and still can not take meds orally

I cannot take any meds unless they are liquid,crushed,or chewable. Drs. have done all kinds of tests and can't find a reason but if i try to take meds any other way they either come back up or cause extreme pain. Anybody else have the same problem ? If so...what is it?    — catlou (posted on May 17, 2007)


May 17, 2007
Hi Catherine! Wow, 2 years. I am just 2 months post op, so I don't know if I will be much help to you. I have trouble taking capsules. I take 3 meds besides my chewable vitamins and calcium supplement. 2 of my meds are tiny little flat pills which slide down well with warm tea or room temp water. The 3rd pill i take is a very big capsule and no matter what i take it with, it is hard to swallow and sometimes sticks in my throught. It can be very uncomfortable for awhile after i take it. There have been a few occassions where i have vomited as a result, but hasnt happened lately. I had alot of trouble for awhile too finding a vitamin that didnt make me sick...finally i setteled on flinstones which are small and easy for me to chew as long as i take them with food (taste becomes yucky after awhile). I wish you luck with this issue.
   — kittyluver77

May 17, 2007
Did you have issues pre op with taking pills? My little sister can't take them at all.
   — HeidiMc

May 17, 2007
I have not had surgery yet but I was told to crush the pills up or for capsules you open them and both can be put in your water or food and take that way. Hope that helps.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 17, 2007
Have you Had them check for the stoma closing? It may be too small. They can fix it in the office.. Dolly
   — DollyA

May 17, 2007
HI,I WILL BE 5YRS OUT IN JULY AND MY PILLS STILL GET STUCK IN MY THROAT.WHEN THAT HAPPENS, IT FEELS HORRIBLE.JUST DRINK SOMETHING WARM OR EAT A PIECE OF BREAD.
   — deb44m

May 17, 2007
Hi Catherine, my surgery is scheduled for next week. I'm assuming you are a RNY patient. Have you been checked for marginal ulcers, stoma closing, incisional or internal hernia? With all my reading this is the only thing I can cup up with for you. I am sure you have had all the appropriate tests. The following is from the EMMI informational DVD I received before surgery: "There is a risk of ulcers at the edges of your new stomach. As your stomach heals, an ulcer may form. This is a shallow area that does not heal. It can cause bleeding, pain, or other discomfort. " Good luck to you and hope you can overcome this problem soon.
   — lawrenln88

May 18, 2007
I have problems with pills too! At 3.5 years post op, some pills feel like they hang in my throat, and some actually cause me to have spasms in my back! It is almost as bad of pain as a kidney stone or gallstone. And it mainly happens when I take pain med (pill form), it will cause greater pain than what I was originally taking medicine for. You can email me for more info.
   — GAYLE CARMACK-LYONS

May 18, 2007
I will be two years in August. I was told that any pill needed to be as small as a M&M. I take chewable vitamins and liquid calcium. I cannot take capsules as they take too long to disolve also no time release medications due to the dissolve issue. I break any medications such as tabs in half which isn't an issue and have a pill splitter for other hard items. Most medications can be found or prescribed in tablet form and split so that you can get a full dose. It is something I look at when I get an over the counter item. Hope this helps...
   — 1968 Loser

May 18, 2007
I never could take pills! my poor mother, trying to get meds into me! But she developed a way for me to get them without stressing either of us out. I chew up the bite of food normally and put the pill(s) IN the chewed bite. The saliva works the coating and it is already coming part by the time it hits my pouch. If you find yourself in the position of not being able to crush or open pills (some are dangerous and life does go on), you might try putting them in your mouth for 10-15 seoncds and give the saliva a chance to work on the exterior. With capsules, you can feel the change as it becomes sticky and soft. It's only gelatin, not plastic, so it doesn't really have a flavor in itself. THEN swallow it, when you are comfortable that it is just about to open. To this day, I take pills with food, food with pills and am able to get all the vites in easily.
   — vitalady

May 19, 2007
I am not sure I understand what the problem is? Is it that you don't like the taste or something? I take pills, but in the dissolvable,chewable or topical patch form...whatever way I can get it from my doctor. It isn't any kind of problem for me. It is just an adjustment that I made to my new way of living. If you need the doc to find an alternative that is chewable or liquid or whatever makes you comfortable,just ask him/her. There are other choices out there.
   — peacelovecat




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