OMG am I the only one who has had the misfortune of getting pills stuck in their throat? I've never had a problem taking pills before. Tonight is the third time I've gotten one stuck in my throat and I don't know why. Im taking it with plenty of water. It's hard not to panic when you feel it and start getting a burning sensation. I walk around, sip water, sip warm liquid (all things my surgeon's office told me to do) and it doesn't help. I then ate a few small pieces of bread with peanut butter on it (again, recommended by surgeon's office). Tonight I tried making myself throw up and when I stuck my finger down my throat I actually felt the pill but it wasn't where I could scoop it out. Instead, I gagged and threw up liquid but no pill! Anyone else?

Edited January 28, 20197 yr by kygirl68

Are you sure the pill is still there. It may be that it has scratched your throat which is causing the discomfort.

Try sucking crushed ice. It relieves swelling which may help to make the pill pass

Is it a pill that can be crushed until you are further out from surgery?

It may be easier to crush them and take in a bit of applesauce at this point.

We used to have someone on here who used sugar free Cool Whip for her ground-up meds. Might be an alternative, some also have used sugar free pudding.

I hope you feel better soon! I would try getting chewables, or crush them and put them in something you can eat and hide the taste.

Goodness! Just the thought of taking another pill could cause anxiety with that kind of experience.

It's possible that the pill got stuck but then moved on after all of your attempts. But because it had gotten stuck, it kind of stimulates the spot where it got stuck and it still feels like it's there when it's not.

You didn't say what these pills were, so I'm going a little blind here. #1-if it's a vitamin of any kind, consider chewables for a while. Vitamins can be big and since you're pretty newly sleeved, take it easy on your GI system while you heal. #2-if it's not a vitamin and it's something you need to take for medical reasons, you have some options:

• if the pill is not time released, crush them. You can take them in any food you wish or even just form a slurry and drink them down
• If the pill IS time released, you can't crush them. When I worked in a nursing home, we would put the whole pill atop a spoonful of pudding. The pill then slides right down with the pudding. I've tried this myself and was really surprised at how easy pills go down this way. Not sure of the scientific reasons, but having bulk to help with the pill AND lubricating the throat really seems to help.

Good luck!

I have the same problem! Not just with pills - certain foods, too. It's not exactly ideal, but usually if I give a deep cough I can get it to come back up, and when I try the second time it's fine. I'm sorry you are enduring that, it's no fun. I hope it gets better for you.

20 hours ago, elcee said:

Are you sure the pill is still there. It may be that it has scratched your throat which is causing the discomfort.

YES! I actually felt it when I stuck my finger down my throat to induce vomiting ? but it wasn't in a position where I could sweep it out.

Thanks everyone for your replies! The pill is actually a caplet...Zoloft...I'm not sure if it can be crushed but I will check on that! Trying it with pudding is another great idea ☺️