How do I swallow all these pills?

[rolosmom7 740]

Day 2 - surgery bright and early yesterday AM. hadn't had my normal meds since 2 nights ago. So I laid them out and split them, over 2 hours. Ended up having to get out of bed, or I was going to throw it all up.

Anyone have ideas on how to take pills? They're prescription meds, I can't really just skip them.

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[Pescador 1,374]

We managed to continue taking a lot of meds. I would recommend spacing them out a little, some pills can be cut in half. The big Vitamin I conquered by going to a liquid vitamin called Source of Life, highly recommended by our pharmacist who has a health food store. The more we got comfortable with the sleeve, the easier it was. Capsules can be opened and sprinkled into applesauce, such as Omeprazole.

[rolosmom7 740]

Thank you. Did you find cutting pills in half helped? Both sections at once, or just broken into smaller pieces?

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[Pescador 1,374]

We have a small plastic pill cutter and we cut some in half or fourths. In no time we were swallowing them whole. Just not all at one time, like we can do now.

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

Not all meds can/should be split or opened. Generally speaking, tablets that are scored can be split. Before cutting anything else, though, consult your pharmacist. Same for opening and sprinkling the contents of capsules or altering other types. Some things, if split or opened when they shouldn't be, can burn going down or just become ineffective.

Edited September 17, 2016 by WLSResources/ClothingExch

[Hollyhood 7]

I actually had to crush my pills for 2 weeks RNY

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[Sai 785]

I was told as long as they are the size of an M&M I can swallow it whole, if it's larger (and not time-released, I break them in half). All my Vitamins are in chewable form (except for my multi which is in a patch form for now) as well as my Gas-X pills.

Edited September 17, 2016 by Sai187

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

Also consult the pharmacist about crushing. Not all things can be crushed. Consult, consult, consult when there is no score mark or instructions on the vial or bottle. You can't be too thin or too rich and you can't consult too much.

With all due respect to my BP compatriots, I wouldn't even pay attention to "My pharmacist said...." People may make typographical errors, misunderstand what their pharmacists tell them, be poor communicators or worse. I don't care who it is.

Edited September 17, 2016 by WLSResources/ClothingExch

[Dashofpixiedust8 1,469]

When I first had my surgery I had a terrible time trying to take my pills. I take 14 pills in the morning and 11 pills at night. I had to make up a schedule and space out my pills over the whole day taking only 3 in each session one at a time. Now that I'm almost 4 months out I can take my morning and night pills in one session now and can take them 2-3 at a time. It will get easier as your stomach heals. I know it seems pretty overwhelming right now but you will get through it

[rolosmom7 740]

Not all meds can/should be split or opened. Generally speaking, tablets that are scored can be split. Before cutting anything else, though, consult your pharmacist. Same for opening and sprinkling the contents of capsules or altering other types. Some things, if split or opened when they shouldn't be, can burn going down or just become ineffective.

Thanks - I know capsules and XR meds can't be cut, unfortunately

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[rolosmom7 740]

When I first had my surgery I had a terrible time trying to take my pills. I take 14 pills in the morning and 11 pills at night. I had to make up a schedule and space out my pills over the whole day taking only 3 in each session one at a time. Now that I'm almost 4 months out I can take my morning and night pills in one session now and can take them 2-3 at a time. It will get easier as your stomach heals. I know it seems pretty overwhelming right now but you will get through it

That's almost where I am ... only 2 in the AM but 14 at night - some are horse pill sized!!! Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone!!

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