Forgot To Crush Pills One Week Post Op

[ajt1991 2]

Hi guys,

So today i was finally able to come home after my procedure. I'm one week post op and after one hell of a week and a long drive home i've just realised i swallowed some panadol tablets whole twice. Theres no pain and it doesnt feel blocked but im still in the hyper concerned post surgery haze i worry what might occur from this. Anyone had a similar situation or any suggestions?

The hospital told me i needed to buy chewable Multi Vitamins and gave me small tablets in hospital. They even told me to keep taking my metformin with no mention of crushing it so it really slipped my mind.

[catwoman7 10,867]

I was allowed to swallow pills as long as they were the size of pencil eraser or smaller as soon as I got home from the hospital (I've heard other people on here say they were allowed to swallow pills that were smaller than an M&M). Bigger pills I had to wait two or three weeks on, or until I was able to do it without difficulty. Only two of my pills were larger than that, but fortunately one was Calcium (so I just got a chewable version), and the other was one that the PA at my clinic said was OK to skip for a couple of weeks.

so I would say if you were able to swallow it without any problem, I wouldn't worry about it.

Edited March 13, 2023 by catwoman7

[Lisa XO 117]

53 minutes ago, ajt1991 said:

Hi guys,

So today i was finally able to come home after my procedure. I'm one week post op and after one hell of a week and a long drive home i've just realised i swallowed some panadol tablets whole twice. Theres no pain and it doesnt feel blocked but im still in the hyper concerned post surgery haze i worry what might occur from this. Anyone had a similar situation or any suggestions?

The hospital told me i needed to buy chewable Multi Vitamins and gave me small tablets in hospital. They even told me to keep taking my metformin with no mention of crushing it so it really slipped my mind.

Metformin is a big tablet but if you have no pain, I wouldn't worry too much. If you are on the extended release tablet, I don't think those should be crushed.

I would def call your surgeon about this. My surgeon stopped my metformin after surgery but I was able to start back at my month post surgery appointment.

[ajt1991 2]

33 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

I was allowed to swallow pills as long as they were the size of pencil eraser or smaller as soon as I got home from the hospital (I've heard other people on here say they were allowed to swallow pills that were smaller than an M&M). Bigger pills I had to wait two or three weeks on, or until I was able to do it without difficulty. Only two of my pills were larger than that, but fortunately one was Calcium (so I just got a chewable version), and the other was one that the PA at my clinic said was OK to skip for a couple of weeks.

so I would say if you were able to swallow it without any problem, I wouldn't worry about it.

Ok thankyou

[ajt1991 2]

9 minutes ago, Lisa XO said:

Metformin is a big tablet but if you have no pain, I wouldn't worry too much. If you are on the extended release tablet, I don't think those should be crushed.

I would def call your surgeon about this. My surgeon stopped my metformin after surgery but I was able to start back at my month post surgery appointment.

I actually havent been taking the metformin yet but i will keep that in mind thankyou so much! I actually took two panadol twice today as i really hurt my neck in the last week. I didnt even think until after.

[NP_WIP 273]

You should call your surgeon to make sure. I was able to swallow pills right away and was given Tylenol 3, bp medication while in the hospital with a sip of Water. I wasn't allowed to start Vitamins till 30 days after but I was taking the omeprazole, and ursodiol as soon as I was discharged.

[summerseeker 1,852]

You will be fine, its not done any damage. You will know if they are stuck because liquid will not pass and you can feel them. Contact your team as to how to take them going forwards. BTW pain meds are vile when crushed.

[ajt1991 2]

12 hours ago, NP_WIP said:

You should call your surgeon to make sure. I was able to swallow pills right away and was given Tylenol 3, bp medication while in the hospital with a sip of Water. I wasn't allowed to start Vitamins till 30 days after but I was taking the omeprazole, and ursodiol as soon as I was discharged.

I asked y GP today and she said ill be all good as there was no issues swallowing. thankyou for your response

[ajt1991 2]

10 hours ago, summerseeker said:

You will be fine, its not done any damage. You will know if they are stuck because liquid will not pass and you can feel them. Contact your team as to how to take them going forwards. BTW pain meds are vile when crushed.

You're not wrong i had to crush panadol this morning and it was not a nice time!!