I have a rare sleep disorder which is treated with 1 smallish tablet per night before bed.

I was banded on 12/11. Prior to surgery, my doctor said that the pill would not be a problem; however, as I was being discharged, the nurse said that the doctor's orders were no pills. Instead, I was given an RX for liquid LORTAB (narcotics are a last line of treatment for my disorder).

All was well the first few nights, but as the week progressed, I needed a little bit more to stop my limbs from jerking. My plan was to discuss this with my doctor during my post op check up on Monday, however last night it got to a point where I needed more Lortab than I am comfortable taking.

I broke one of my pills up into eight pieces and took it with some Jello. Within an hour, I was feeling nauseous for the first time since surgery. I woke up a few times in the night with hiccups, and woke this morning feeling nauseous. I even had a vague sore feeling in my stomach that only lasted a few minutes -- but it concerned me because I have not had any other nausea or stomach discomfort since the surgery.

My questions --

Has anyone else had to take pills during the liquid stage? How did that go? Wouldn't the pill have dissolved by now? And if so, then the tightness/fullness (for lack of better term) I'm feeling in the center of my chest can't be from that, right? So what could it be from? Have I done something dangerous, or am I worrying about nothing?

:thumbup:

I'm taking Celebrex per orders of my surgeon to help relieve the swelling. They are capsules and they've gone down well. I've been careful not to drink too much afterward, but I haven't had any problems.

You want to make sure your particular type of pill can be cut up. Some shouldn't be. I'd ask your pharmacist if that particular pill can be cut up.

I bought a pill crusher and crushed mine for about two weeks after surgery. I had to stop taking one for a bit because it's a capsule and couldn't be opened or crushed, but I just took the others with a shot of Water and it worked out pretty well.

Hope things get better for you. I know how it is not to sleep.

When i needed to take my meds i would do it with some warm water and i think that has help i had one that i must take and it is a capsal and that is the one i use warm water with from the tap hope this helps

I was told that if the pill is smaller than a pea, then it will go down fine. And, the morning after surgery, I had to take 5 pills. I probably took them too quickly (the nurse was waiting), but they still stayed down fine. I did let out a huge burp a couple minutes later, but nothing came up w/it. Since then, I've been taking my pills each morning a little more slowly and have had no troubles or burps at all.

As for the Lortab, I think this is a common one that they give for pain because I am taking that too. It could be that they didn't want you to take your sleep medication because of interactions it might have w/Lortab plus Lortab makes you drowsy so they may think you don't need your sleep med. I would definitely check w/your doctor before you continue to increase the dose of the Lortab or mix it w/your sleep med. You really need an expert's opinion on if this is really OK. Lortab is one that can be dangerous if mixed w/some other meds or taken in too high of a dose. It can suppress breathing... not something you want to mess around with.

Thanks for your replies - I feel somewhat less concerned now. After doing some research, I think what I will do is discontinue the Lortab all together, and tonight, rather than a whole dosage of my meds, I will only take half -- that should eliminate the nausea.

Thanks again!

I was told that i had to crush all my pills for the first few months. I take synthroid and celexa and i have been crushing them woth no problem.

My doctor told me nothing bigger than a M&M and I have not had any problems with my 17 pills I have to take every day. I do take them slower than I use too and my PCP is beginning to reduce the amount of them finally. As for pain meds, I have not even opened the bottle of liquid Lortab or Tylenol....not enough pain to worry about in my case.

As for the pain in your chest, it is probably gas pains. Walking and Gas-X strips is best for it.