Question:
Vitamins&Meds! ....If we have to chew chew chew our food, then

what happens to big 'ole horse pills that we swallow?? AND what about time release meds?(I currently take wellbutrin SR and Dexedrine Spansules) Surgery is in Nov. & I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row....Any imput would be valued and appreciated.....THANKS :)    — Debby M. (posted on July 23, 2002)

July 23, 2002
Early on after surgery you will have to either crush your pills or get your doctor to issue you a liquid form. My surgeon had us do this for the first 2 months, then progress to swallowing small or 1/2 pills. Some medications you will never be able to take again, like the NSAIDs, as they are too rough on the pouches. I really miss my Motrin and Vioxx. I don't know about the meds you are currently taking, but your surgeon can advise you.
   — Cindy R.

July 23, 2002
Time released meds aren't reliable after any surgery that has a malabsorptive component. Your dr may be able to switch you to a non-time released version. Better now than when you have all the surgery stuff going on! I never had problems with pills getting stuck. I started taking whole pills at about 8 weeks out and haven't had any problems yet even with Citrical which is pretty big (although I don't take that anymore--I use the calcium citrate capsules which are lots easier to get down). If you happen to be one of those folks who has a lot of problems with things sticking, you can crush some meds (your dr or pharmacist will be able to tell you which ones are OK) or get them in liquid form. Probably superstition on my part, but I try not to take pills on an empty stomach. I have this image of it falling straight down and plugging my stoma like the little Dutch boy sticking his finger in the dam! LOL
   — ctyst

July 23, 2002
It really comes down to the individual. I am two weeks post-op today (yeah!) and have no problems with any of my capsules. The larger pills I cut in half or 1/4 and have had no problems at all. Good luck
   — Joanie J.

July 23, 2002
I was also on Wellbutrin SR before surgery. Immediately after surgery, my doc changed me to non time released which I crushed during the first few weeks. Now I am able to take it in pill form. Good Luck.
   — Dot W.

July 23, 2002
Good thinking. You're right that timed (sustained) release forms become somewhat unpredictable after surgery. They no longer sit in the "vat of acid" which breaks down the little balls at intervals. Welbutrin comes in tablets, too. After 2 weeks or so, barring stenosis or marginal ulcer, the correct types of pills will dissolve in your pouch and become liquid (or wet dust) OR mooshy before they even try to exit the stoma.
   — vitalady