Question:
is anyone else afraid to swallow pills

I am 5 months out and am still afraid to swallow pills. I am still taking chewable vitamins, is this normal?I can eat whatever I want and have lost 113 lbs, even can eat chicken,steak and whatever, am i just being a big chicken????    — Donna R. (posted on September 12, 2002)

September 12, 2002
I was also afraid to swallow pills at first. But I finally did it and had no problem whatsoever. I am only 6 weeks out and they went down fine and didn't get stuck or anything. Don't worry!!! Its much easier taking one multivitamin rather than a bunch of chewables!! Good Luck!
   — Jean T.

September 12, 2002
Hello, I was really shocked when the nurses at the Hospital took me off liquids (IV) and said Dr started pills. I take a stool softner and stomach med and pain pill 2x day. I have had no problems with them. Thinking about changing from chewable to swollable vitamin. Holding off on that till post op visit on Sept. 17. Good Luck
   — Jeana S.

September 12, 2002
I am 10 days post-op and I am afraid to swallow pills too...but I'm getting better. I'm a nurse and I often have to give crushed meds by mouth or through a g-tube at work. The way I see it is like this...if the pill breaks down in water by itself in a matter of a few minutes, I feel it's okay for me to take it. Lortab breaks down fast in liquid without crushing it...Vioxx and Paxil do too. I usually just break my pills in half and swallow them...no problems yet. My chewable vitamins...well, I chew them up and I absolutely hate the taste. I will eventually try swallowing vitamins too. I don't think you are a big chicken...perhaps you are just trying to be cautious. There is no one right way to do things...we all have to figure what is best for ourselves. Good luck with the pills!
   — CARMEN M.

September 12, 2002
I was told that I cannot have whole pills again. One reason is because they could get stuck and the other reason is that your stomach is so small that they pass through and do not get absorbed as well leaving you with basically wasting your medicine. Check with your doctor and make sure it is OK.
   — sammygirlwpc

September 18, 2002
I can not take pills (I am 3 months post op) I bought liquid Centrum Vitamins and search everywhere for Liquid Tylenol. I do have to take a blood thinner every morning but it is the size of a birth control pill so that goes down ok. As long as they continue to make liquid vitamins and pain med I will stick with them....Even if I am a considered a big chicken. :)
   — Tinca-Thais J.