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Tips for taking medications (pills and/or capsules)



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Any pointers for taking my medications (both pills and capsules) - I purchased a "pill crusher" from the drugstore and I've been crushing them and putting them in sugar-free applesauce - but honestly, it tastes ick and I can't seem to get the pills completely pulverized to dust. Thanks!

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I started out crushing all my pills but now I use a pill cutter and cut them into 4 pieces. As long as each piece is smaller than pea size I can swallow it without a problem. Taking crushed pills was nasty no matter what I put them in!

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I have such a horrible problem with this. I either have Dannon light and fit Greek yogurt and put the pills in a spoonful to let it slide down, or I have my sugar free Jello with fat free whip cream on top ( just two table spoonfuls)),and put my pills in whip cream to let it slide down quickly. I hope this helps. After surgery, which was 3 weeks ago,I tried crushing and even breaking my pills into quarters, but I kept getting the horrible stuck feeling.

Hope this helps! It saved me from a lot of throwing up.

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i have to take 3 little Iron tablets daily, I find I'm best taking tablets with plenty of fluids, including a few mouthfuls before hand to lubricate my throat and to try and avoid doing it in a hurry. I also avoid lying down or taking them before bed given I feel a tad off afterwards.

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One pill I break in half. It is diamond shape and has a notch to cut the pill in half so each half goes down easily, but all my others go down with no problem. One at a time with a little Water and wait about 1 to 2 minutes and take the next.

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I was just banded yesterday and asked my Dr about this, he said just take them as normal, one at a time, pausing between pills. He said if they get stuck, jump up and down and touch my toes, it'll go through, but do not drink on top of a stuck pill. I've been taking pain pills only so far, but they are a good size and I haven't had any issues, it has only been a day though. I'd think if I can do right after surgery though, that it would only get better/easier as I heal.

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I take three pills every night without any issue.

GuyMontag: At first when I read your response, I admit that I thought you were being a bit flippant BUT I went ahead and tried to take my pills as I would pre-Op (the capsule were the ones that I was most worried about) and lo and behold - you were right! What a HUGE relief it is - I really hated having to ground them all and then take them in loose powder form. I am breaking the larger ones in half (or even quarters, just if I'm being super cautious) but I don't know if I even really have to go that far. Thanks for the insight!

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At my followup appt I learned that any pill that will fit int he cap of a Water bottle is fine to take as is. A little more info to add to the pot here.

I've been taking all mine as normal. I gotta say I hate taking them one at a time (I used to take 7 pills in 1 or 2 shifts), but I'm getting used to it and haven't had any get stuck as of yet.

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