I NEED HELP! I can't take my meds!

[lianna 3]

I only take Metformin daily and the occasional Tylenol, but I use a pill cutter to cut them into fourths. It goes down easily and seems like it would be less foul tasting than crushing it. I agree with whomever said that you are more than likely still swollen... and the warm Water trick always work for me also! Hope you get over the nausea.

[Shiloh 0]

I was once filled to tight to take my night time meds. I brought the little bugger to the surgeon who told me to take a different med. Well... that just wasn't a solution because it cannot be crushed or cut in half. I can never be filled with saline that makes it difficult to take my Prometrium ( part of my HRT). It is the only med that made me PB with Water since it got stuck.

I am now down to 8 pills/capsules a day from 13 and wash them down with a lot of Water. When I was first banded, my surgeon's office told me to not take any meds for a few days which was okay with all the specialists. Same thing with the second band too. I also get tablets that can be split and are "scored" for that reason and made the investment in a good pill cutter and crusher from the pharmacy.

You doctor is plain wrong that you will have to do this for life. Take it from more experienced bandsters. I have also used liquids when available too. Your local pharmacist can help you. My pharmacy knows that I am banded and I ask to see any new prescription and if I know it won't go down we call the doctor and get a replacement. The Pharmacist actually knows a lot more about drugs that the doctors who get all their information from the "detail people" from the Pharmaceutical companies.

Good luck. Hopefully, as the weight melts off so will the number of pills that you take

[CherylB 0]

I was once filled to tight to take my night time meds. I brought the little bugger to the surgeon who told me to take a different med. Well... that just wasn't a solution because it cannot be crushed or cut in half. I can never be filled with saline that makes it difficult to take my Prometrium ( part of my HRT). It is the only med that made me PB with Water since it got stuck.

I am now down to 8 pills/capsules a day from 13 and wash them down with a lot of Water. When I was first banded, my surgeon's office told me to not take any meds for a few days which was okay with all the specialists. Same thing with the second band too. I also get tablets that can be split and are "scored" for that reason and made the investment in a good pill cutter and crusher from the pharmacy.

You doctor is plain wrong that you will have to do this for life. Take it from more experienced bandsters. I have also used liquids when available too. Your local pharmacist can help you. My pharmacy knows that I am banded and I ask to see any new prescription and if I know it won't go down we call the doctor and get a replacement. The Pharmacist actually knows a lot more about drugs that the doctors who get all their information from the "detail people" from the Pharmaceutical companies.

Good luck. Hopefully, as the weight melts off so will the number of pills that you take

I'm praying that when I lose weight I can get rid of some pills...that was the motivating factor for having this surgery. 5 years from now I want to retire and I can't if I have to pay for all of my pills. My entire SS Check wouldn't cover the cost of the meds I'm on now. I appreciate everyone's input, and I'm going to try every single suggestion. I'm desperate!!

I had that lump in my throat feeling from day 1! Could I be drinking too much water at once? The taste of the meds is so vile that I'm miserable between the lump and pain in my esaphogus and the nausea that hits 5 minutes after taking the meds and lasts for up to 6 hours. Obviously, I can't get any nutrition to speak of while I'm trying not to upchuck!! I sure hope I did the right thing. One day at a Time!!!

[CherylB 0]

CherylB to answer your question I was banded one year ago Oct the 4th of this year. I have not had great success in that year... as a matter of fact alot of faliure occurred that I have now learned from and put to use. I feel like this is a brand new start for me and my band! Wish us luck...HA! Good luck and God Bless with the meds!

Terrilen,

This IS a new start for you and your band, and with all of those lessons learned, you're sure to be a success! Please be sure to share with us some of those lessons now and again, we can all benefit! Thank you for posting an answer to my problem and the VERY best of luck to you two! :nervous

[Marimaru 7]

There might be a specific one of your medications that is making your nauseas when you are crushing it. I don't crush mine, can't one of them, because it's time release. They are both relatively small and I've never had trouble taking them.

Also, like people have said it might be better to quarter than to crush them completely. I'm not really an advocate for going against your doctor, but there's not really any good reason to make yourself sick everyday for this.

Hope you feel better!

[CherylB 0]

There might be a specific one of your medications that is making your nauseas when you are crushing it. I don't crush mine, can't one of them, because it's time release. They are both relatively small and I've never had trouble taking them.

Also, like people have said it might be better to quarter than to crush them completely. I'm not really an advocate for going against your doctor, but there's not really any good reason to make yourself sick everyday for this.

Hope you feel better!

Thanks! The only thing I could get down today was one Protein drink and some Water. I didn't even try the pills yet. I'll try them shortly. It seems I have to wait until evening to get anything down and then it's too hard to get the Protein and Water in. After the Protein shake, I feel totally full for the rest of the day. NO hunger at all. I know this will change, but right now it's scary! I feel worse 6 days out than I did 1 day after surgery. I had no nausea then. Thank God I see the surgeon tomorrow. We'll see what he says. Also...I don't know how much longer I can stand drinking those shakes...I really hate drinking milk, so that might be part of the problem. I sure hope things get better! I feel like such a failure after reading posts about people shopping all day the day they were released. I can't make it that far away from a couch to lay down when I get nauseous. It's pretty nasty. I'm a bit depressed too. OK, time to stop the pity party...ONE day at a time!! :think

[piercedqt78 658]

Have you tried any clear protien drinks? Maybe the creamy drinks are too much for you, maybe you are sensitive to the dairy in them. I know that I have a problem with whey protien, I do better with soy. I would also ask about some phenegran or zofran, both are anti-nausea meds. I keep a bottle on hand in case of a sudden stomach flu or case of food poisoning. Hope you are feeling better, and the check-up goes well tomorrow. ~Mandy

[CherylB 0]

Have you tried any clear protien drinks? Maybe the creamy drinks are too much for you, maybe you are sensitive to the dairy in them. I know that I have a problem with whey protien, I do better with soy. I would also ask about some phenegran or zofran, both are anti-nausea meds. I keep a bottle on hand in case of a sudden stomach flu or case of food poisoning. Hope you are feeling better, and the check-up goes well tomorrow. ~Mandy

Thanks Mandy! I had my check-up today and the Dr. said he thought I was just still swollen from surgery and to stop the Protein drinks if they didn't sit right. He is concerned that I may not be getting enough fluids and warned me about dehydration. I can't believe this, but he OK'd cutting my pills into little pieces and taking them that way instead of crushing them all. Now all I have to worry about are the capsules. A friend of mine suggested putting them in a Yogurt smoothie..it worked better than anything else, so I'm doing that now. I think my stomach is getting back at me for banding it!! So, if it's just swelling, it should get better by the day. I kind of feel like I have full blown morning sickness...at 60????? I think not.

Thanks again everyone for all the help you gave me!!

[CCBSTX 0]

Cindy, I was pretty swollen after surgery also. Just a few bits of yogurt/jello would do me. The swelling, each week, got a bit better.

I think my stomach is sensitive anyway. That is why, my fills have been on the small size and VERY infrequent;

Keep on drinking and eating what you comfortable and capable of...it will get better.

Shawn

[piercedqt78 658]

My daughter takes her meds on applesauce (it comes in like 20 flavors). Might be worth a try. It's good that your doc agreed about splitting your pills. I bought a pill, splitter/crusher/storage/water cup at walgreens for like $7. It works like a charm, my dd is on several meds each day and this contraption has been a life saver. Hope the swelling gets better fast, I know that is no fun at all. ~Mandy

[CherylB 0]

My daughter takes her meds on applesauce (it comes in like 20 flavors). Might be worth a try. It's good that your doc agreed about splitting your pills. I bought a pill, splitter/crusher/storage/water cup at walgreens for like $7. It works like a charm, my dd is on several meds each day and this contraption has been a life saver. Hope the swelling gets better fast, I know that is no fun at all. ~Mandy

Thanks everyone...I tried applesauce and about died. Spent 6 hours on the couch trying not to upchuck my expensive meds! Remember, I have LOTS of pills and it makes LOTS more powder when I crush them. I made the mistake of mixing it all up and trying to slug it down....well, my mouth wouldn't let me slug it down...so it sat there for awhile. I can't even begin to tell you what that tasted like. Thus the nausea for 6 hours straight. So, I will take my chances and swallow little pieces. My swelling seems to be getting a bit better. Now to figure out how to take my meds with food. Is there no end to this insanity???? Hee Hee!!

[piercedqt78 658]

I do a single pill in a small amount of allpesauce, then the next, until we are done. The meds go in the spoon and then some applesauce goes on top. It covers the taste and works like lube to help the pill or powder slide right down. IF the applesauce is still to much try to start slowly, try taking it with some broth, then progress to Jello maybe? Give yourself time to heal, drink plenty of fluids. Hope you feel better.

[AngelaT 2]

I have been crushing mine into fine powdeer and putting the into yummy chocolate, with frozen blackberry smoothies....makes it like a milk shake and the taste is covered up!

[Victoriana 10]

I also take lots of pills, some are vitamines and minerals but there are 6 that I need to take every day. I take one in the morning with warm Water, then 1hr later I take the second, this helps me to remember to drink my water etc. My evening pills get started befor dinner and I take about one an hour, and the largest ones I cut intofourths, and swallo the little chunks. The powder is awful!!! I sympathise wilth you, try the little chunks and try taking them about 30 min apart.

I also used a teaspoon of olive oil just after the pills that were the worst ones. I know its fatening, but its the good fat, and I may be all wring but I think the good fat helps move the bad fat out.

Best wishes on the meds. I know its tough, but you will find your own routine and rhythm.