Crushing meds

[parisluver 1]

What did all of you do in the first stage with your blood pressure and other meds? I tried crushing my beta blocker and putting it in yogurt but I could not eat it. It was awful. I ended up just swallowing my other pills (wellbuterin and atacand are much smaller). My instructions are to crush pills but how do you take them? Do you just suck it up and do it? Ugh...

Also my doctor gave me those Gummy Vitamins to take. Do I take those the first two weeks? My surgeon's office is closed this weekend. I might try emailing the nutritionist but I doubt she is around either. My instructions say to crush meds -- but when you are on a liquid diet it's tough to hide them in foods. Do beta blockers come in a liquid form? Maybe I will call the pharmacy.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

[BetsyB 9]

Early on, I had no trouble swallowing pills. Now that I'm nearing restriction, I can't tolerate big tablets, but my little blood pressure pill is just fine.

I'd ask the doctor if s/he thinks it's safe--you may be pleasantly surprised.

As for the gummies--eek! Those scare me because they're hard to thoroughly chew----I'd be afraid of having them stick. But again, without restriction, it's probably not a concern.

I was told to resume Vitamins immediately postop--but again,this is one for your doctor to field; they all have different "rules."

[chrisdirects 0]

I haven't had any problems with my pills...although they have already dropped my BP dosage in half, and the new pills aren't any bigger than a TicTac. My Metformin, which is a fair bit bigger, has gone down whole just fine...my sugars are now running so low, I'm hoping to get a dosage reduction on those too.

Some meds shouldn't be crushed under any circumstances, for various reasons...unless your pills are huge, it might be worth giving a try to taking one as usual, at least until your first fill.

Good luck!

Christine

[mjbf 0]

Could you cut the pills into thirds or fourths? That's what I do with mine--I got a "pill cutter" and cut them into small sizes and I could get them down with Water OK. I wait a few minutes between each one--takes a while! Good Luck!

[DianaG 0]

Like MJBF, I use a pill cutter. My largest pill, I cut in quarters and take them spaced out. It takes me about 30 minutes to get them all down.

My blood pressure med is time release and therefore I can't cut or crush it. I asked my dr. what to do if I reach the point I can't swallow it and he said that if I still needed it then he would find an alternative.

Right after I was banded and until the last couple of fills, I had no problem taking my meds.

[parisluver 1]

Hi All

Thanks for the advice. My doctor's office said all meds should be crushed - so that is what is confusing me. I cannot crush my lebatolol but will try to get it in liquid form.

They had me completely go off my diabetes medication! I tried to take my blood sugar but my monitor doesn't seem to be working. Might have to go buy another one -- hate to do that if I'm not going to need it anymore!!

[mjbf 0]

I was taking Glucophage for my diabetes. After surgery, my doctor prescribed it in the liquid form--doesn't taste too good, but it does the trick. My Albertson's pharmacy didn't usually carry this, but they were able to get it for me and now they keep it on hand for me. Might work for you!

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

FYI, I was sent home on pills and have never had a problem with any of them (3 months out). I was told to wait until I returned for my post-op check-up at a month before I started my vitamins...different strokes for different folks!

[loserbob 11]

I crush my pills also. Very tough to swallow, very bitter but I found orange juice makes it a little easier.

[dontgoggilme 0]

i feel like a weirdo because ya'll are all taking about swallowing pills or half pills of decent sizes and here i was trying to take my birth control pil (super tiny) and i swear it got stuck in my throat. since then i've been crushing it with this little pill crusher i got at Walmart. lol

[Itsforlife 0]

I was told to crush my pills and put them in applesauce. I haven't tried it yet but that's what I'm planning to do.

[parisluver 1]

I'm not allowed to eat applesauce until the third week post op. I tried to put it in yogurt but just couldn't get it down.

I made the mistake of just trying to swallow them last night. Big mistake. I think one got stuck and I've got some pain and discomfort. I don't know how some of you did it with just swallowing them whole.

I'm not going to take anything until I talk to the office tomorrow.

[123crod 170]

I crushed everything for about 3 months and then I could not take it any more. Now I drink a large cup of coffee in the morning to loosen my band and then I take them (pills) broken in half and have no problem.

Some one told me they stay in your pouch but they don't because, I have all my fills under flor. and there are no pills in my pouch.

Hope that helps

Cheri