Crushing pills question

[Journey482 0]

I was told not to take anything bigger than a birth control pill. My directions were to crush them and take them in a couple teaspoons of applesauce. That was quite a treat during the two weeks of liquids only!

I think a big part of crushing them is to make sure it slides through the band and gets into your digestive system instead of sitting on top of the band and dissolving there. Some meds might not make you feel "stuck" but could cause problems (ulcers, etc.) if they sit at the top of the band and dissolve there. I worked with a doctor once whose son had an ulcer in his esophagus from dry-swallowing an aspirin at night. He didn't know it didn't go down, it ended up sitting there and causing a perfectly round little ulcer.

And check with your pharmacist or Google your meds; not everything can be safely crushed, but is made to dissolve slowly in your stomach.

[michellehoeffel 1]

I take chewable vitiams and Calcium. As for the other vitiams, I was told to cut them into smaller pieces, which is not too bad. My allergy meds, I was told what I was taking pre-op were too big so now I am working with my PCP on alternatives (zytrec or nasal spray (which I am not liking too well).

[mbranham0306 0]

When I first had my surgery, I had to cut 3 of my big pills in half, the other ones were pretty small. I had to cut my pills in half for about 4 months. Now I am off most of the medicines and the ones I have left are not that big. The only big pill I have is my B12 and I can take it if I'm careful without cutting in half. I do have to make sure I take that pill by itself. The first few days after surgery I had to crush my pills and I mixed it with sugar free koolaid. It was kinda nasty. Then when I could just cut them up, I made up a bowl of sugar free pudding and kept it in the fridge just for taking my meds in. I'd always get me a spoon full and mix my pills in it and swallow it. No problems at all. It sure made it easier to take the meds. Hope this helps

[susi1662 3]

It's amazing how everyone is different!! Some can take pilss fine, some can't! :smile2:

When I went the the seminar last week, I asked and the surgeon said that if the pill can fit through the opening of a water bottle, i'd be ok. Then I hear that some people have to wait a few minutes between each pill....I take 7 in the morning, and 4 at bedtime....if I have to wait a few minutes between each pill, it will take me an hour!

Oh well, I am still far from getting my surgery so I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it!

[GMC 0]

I can't crush my daily meds cause they are time release capsules. I haven't had a problem at all swallowing them so far.

Does anyone take sleeping aids? I've had trouble sleeping the past 2 nights and was considering taking an over the counter pill. Do you think this would be safe to do?