I know that with regards to vitamins, we are told that we have to take chewable vitamins. What about other medications? I had my thyroid removed due to thyroid cancer and have to take pills every day to replace my thyroid function. Also, I have really bad spinal stenosis that causes horrific sciatica pain so I take both Ibuprofen and another pain pill three times a day to keep that pain under control. Also I take pills for chronic nausea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and acid reflux etc. I know the need for most of those will go away once I have the surgery but I need to know if I am going to be able to ingest my thyroid meds and the pain pills for the sciatica.:thumbup:

You can dissolve synthroid in your mouth, if that's what you're taking for your thyroid, and they will put you on a liquid pain med called Lortab. You can't take NSAIDs any more but you can take liquid Tylenol.

I only took Bp med for 2 days after surgery, the weight fell offand I didn't need the med. I was given liquid loratab and used it for a week because I have rhuematoid arthritis, on day 8 I was given go ahead for Celebrex, and occasional Aleve as needed, we still have a functioning stomach so as far as I know NSAID are not banned. Good luck.

I take Synthroid, and for the first month and a half I crushed and put it in apple sauce. At about 2 months post-op I started swallowing pills again. I was told before surgery that I would never be able to swallow a pill larger than an m&m again, but I've been talking pills of all sizes, even big oval fish oil capsules, with no problems.

My doc started me on a ppi 3 days post op. A capsul about the size of the tip of my pinki. I could do it... but I felt it going down. At about 10 days it was a breeze. Now... at almost 3 mos I can take four pills at once if I need to. As far as the ibuprophine.... its hard on the stomach lining. Its best to avoid for at leeast 8-10 weeks post op... after that some docs say you can have it some say you cant. The research however indicates its fine. Theres some other posts... I think titled NSAIDS where tiffikins posted some research links on this.

good luck

I have been taking pills since right after surgery with no problems

When is it ok to start swallowing vitamins instead of using the chewables?

I took any of my regular medications right from the beginning. As far as vitamins, I took chewables for the first 30 days and then began regular vitamins.

Diane

Thanks everyone. The one medication that I am most concerned about is the Levethroid. I take two very tiny pills that have to be taken on an empty stomach (so can't be crushed into food etc) and I normally take them in the middle of the night (habit) to make sure that the effect is not compromised with food. I can't imagine that I won't be able to swallow those two tiny pills.

Thanks everyone. The one medication that I am most concerned about is the Levethroid. I take two very tiny pills that have to be taken on an empty stomach (so can't be crushed into food etc) and I normally take them in the middle of the night (habit) to make sure that the effect is not compromised with food. I can't imagine that I won't be able to swallow those two tiny pills.

I think you'll be fine with that. They had me swallowing small pills in the hospital after my leak test. I never had a problem with them. I think the main problem with the bigger ones is the possibility of them getting stuck when everything is still swollen after surgery. But, of course your surgeon will have to have the final say on this stuff.

I took my throid pills at the hospital. It went down fine.

Edited July 19, 201016 yr by shellbell27

Pills were one of the hard things to deal with, in the beginning. Like you, I have to take many pills. Many of the same pills actually. What I did, was try to find as many chewable products as I could. Like calcium, multi vitamins, etc. Also, some liquid vitamins, which work well. With other pills, it was a nightmare for me. I had to take one pill every 15 minutes, which seemed like all I did all day was time myself for my next dose. What I did was ask to see if some of my meds came in smaller pill sizes, which a couple did. That helped. Then I looked at what pills could I do without for a few weeks without causing me any harm. That helped. I had a couple of my prescriptions changed. That helped. The problem only lasts for a few weeks. I can now take all my pills and supplements at once. But I hear ya, it was torture at first. Also, crushing pills didn't work for me....they were awful. I just took my small pills first, and then suffered through with the big ones, like Lipitor and Lopid. You would think with so many people having heart issues, that they would come up with smaller pills. For pain, I am lucky. I have spinal stenosis, and sciatica. I take the extended release oxycontin, and the pills are as small as the enteric 81mg aspirin. I hope this helps. Les

Thanks again everyone! I'm sure I'll be fine :tongue_smilie: