What a bitter pill...

[rathsog 0]

Hi all,

Still working things out so thanks in advance for your input. Feeling less pain (banded on 2/24) which makes this journey and learning stage much more tolerable.

I take Wellbutrin XL 150 which I was told I couldn't take (even crushed) due to the extended-relief nature of the XLs-types of medication. So I switched to regular Wellbutrin 75 which I'm supposed to crush twice a day to get the same dose.

The only thing is: how do you all get those crushed pills down? Taking them is so awful I shudder even typing this :wink:. So far, I've tried putting the crushed pills in gatorade (yuck), strawberry Syrup which is OK but still insanely bitter even with the overly sweet pinkness. Tonight I tried mixing the pills into a teaspoon of no-fat Cool Whip because I couldn't think of anything else. I only gagged a couple of time which is an improvement..I guess.:smile:

So what do you all do to get the pills down? There must be some secret trick I haven't yet learned . I have to crush pills for a month. After that, I can cut them down which will be much easier. But a month is long way off though.

Also, I'm trying not to take the pain meds anymore and have switched to regular Tylenol. The only problem: the Rapid Blast Adult liquid Tylenol is NASTY. What other solutions have you found?

Thanks for you help!

–Ruth

P.S. I got on the scale and I'm down 14 lbs. Is that real weight loss or is it merely a reflection of eating next to nothing for the past week?

[sherrimayhew 0]

I am just 4 days post-op and learning alot, but I couldn't stand the taste of the crushed pills either. I decided to just split them in half with a pill cutter and that was good enough. They are still smaller than a pencil eraser so should be just fine!

[vjflores 0]

I would try to add them to sugar free Jello, chocolate is a stronger taste and can help mask the bitterness a little better. I was banded on the 23rd good luck!

[AngelWhisper 0]

Jello pudding worked for me until I gave up and broke the pills into 4ths. I can't stomach liquid medications AT ALL so I got the tylenol jr strength rapid dissolving tabs. I got the bubblegum flavored rite aid brand and they taste great. I think the tylenol brand come in grape.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I just take my pills, including my HUGE potassium supplement. Have you tried that? I've NEVER had a problem taking a pill...even now with restriction.

[azairforcewife 1]

I was also allowed full pills the day after surgery. No problem.

[travelinsnorkel 0]

My doc said anything the size of a Tylenol pill and smaller can go down. Otherwise, I just cut the pills in half and don't need to crush them. Good luck!

[motorhomemama 0]

try them in a teaspoon of applesauce and just swallow..don't try aND chew it!!

[Ms.Enigma 0]

I dont understand... Ive been banded for one week. I called the surgeon to see if I could take my multi (which is huge horsepill type) and he said it was fine. I made the mistake of trying the chewable first.... I absolutely hated that. But now I take three diff. Vitamins 3x daily, and no probs.

[AngieAngel 0]

I am on Effexor XR and it is a large capsule, I just swallow it with no problems. I take a very large Vitamin pill, but just split that. I would stop crushing and just split them. :party::D

[grammylew 0]

I've always been able to take my Wellbutrin XR 150 mg. I also take any other pill I need to take. If there is a chance it will upset my tummy, I take it with a spoonful of applesauce. I have noticed, though, that it takes longer for a medication to affect me. I imagine that is because it has to dissolve and pass through my stoma first. Like my Ambien. It takes about an hour for it to 'take ahold'.

BTW, I am 17 months post op, have had 3 fills, I feel that I am at me 'sweet spot', and I have lost 97 pounds.