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orange · Dec 26, 2005, 09:14 PM

I've always had a lot of trouble swallowing pills.. even when I take them with lots of water, I gag really badly and often almost throw up. My usual solution has been to avoid pills altogether, but now that I'm pregnant I need to take vitamins. So, any suggestions to make the pill swallowing easier? Thanks.

CaptainForest · Dec 26, 2005, 09:16 PM

Crush them up before taking them.

For years my mother was unable to swallow pills. So she crushed them up in this medicine crusher thing and took them that way.

Fr_Chuck · Dec 26, 2005, 09:54 PM

Capt is right, you can get a crusher at most drug stores.

Also many vitamens can be gotten in some brands in chewable versions

orange · Dec 26, 2005, 10:51 PM

Blah, don't they taste horrible when crushed up? Well I guess beggars can't be choosers! ;) Thanks guys for your suggestions. And I never thought of chewables! I'll ask my doc if prenatal vitamins come in a chewable form.

nymphetamine · Dec 27, 2005, 07:20 AM

Orange, when you crush them up mix them up in some apple sauce or puddding. That should help the taste some.

fredg · Dec 27, 2005, 07:56 AM

Hi,
My wife went through Chemo and Radiation treatments during 2004, resulting in no saliva now, it fried her saliva glands. But, we are blessed that she is now cancer free after 1 1/2 years.
I am thoroughly familiar with crushing pills, since she couldn't take some of them even with water. Be sure to ask your pharmacist or doctor if the pill is "time release". Some of those types shouldn't be crushed up, cause they will give you a "rush" of medication all at once; possibly causing other problems.
But, as others have said, crush them up with a crusher, or use a spoon and a bowl, if they aren't too hard, to mash them into dust, then mix with a couple of teaspoons of apple sauce.
Another method that sometime worked for my wife, is to coat the pill with butter, or cooking oil, or something to make it "slippery". She didn't use that very often though, due to the "oily" taste!

orange · Dec 27, 2005, 10:38 AM

Oh sorry about your wife Fred, but I'm glad she's feeling better. I think I'll try the slippery thing... I'll probably still gag but I don't mind the taste of oil so it's worth a shot! And thanks for the tip about "time release"... I was wondering about that. I may go to the pharmacy later today and ask there.

Applesauce or pudding might work too... thanks crankiebabie. I can always plug my nose while I eat it! :)

Chery · Dec 27, 2005, 10:49 AM

For vitamins, it's OK to use the crusher, but other meds can taste bitter, as you said. I had the same problem when I was a young woman, and what I did was take one pill at a time, place it as far back on the tongue as possible and take a swallow of banana juice, this was thick and made me think only of the juice and not the pill. The further back, the better, that way I didn't even think of the pill at all. Try it and let me know if it works for you. You could also put the pill on a spoon with the juice and place that as far back and just swallow, as long as it gets past the primary tastebuds - that's what gives you the 'gag' feeling. You can substitute banana with tomato juice if you like that taste better - as long as the juice is not watery. Good Luck..

orange · Dec 27, 2005, 11:14 AM

Oh thanks Chery that sounds like it might work too! I'm going shopping this afternoon so I'll pick up some thick juice, try it and let you know! :)

RickJ · Dec 27, 2005, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by orange

I've always had a lot of trouble swallowing pills.. even when I take them with lots of water, I gag really badly and often almost throw up. My usual solution has been to avoid pills altogether, but now that I'm pregnant I need to take vitamins. So, any suggestions to make the pill swallowing easier? Thanks.

Gosh, orange, we've got to stop meeting like this :p

... my gag reflex is also very sensitive.

My method is to put 2 ounces of water in a cup, drop the pill in it and quickly down it in one swig.

... kinda like I would if it were a jigger of Jaegermeister. :p

orange · Dec 27, 2005, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by rickj

Gosh, orange, we've got to stop meeting like this :p

YES I know... LOLLL. I was "meeting" Fr Chuck like this for a while yesterday, too. Guess that's what happens when people are online at the same time, interested in the same threads and can type super fast!

Thanks for your advice too. I'm really glad I asked the question, because now I have so many things to try!

orange · Dec 29, 2005, 05:31 AM

Hey guys, just wanted to you all know that I was able to get chewable prenatal vitamins from the doctor, so I don't have to worry about swallowing them whole! It's a major relief for me! However, I really appreciate everyone's pill swallowing advice, and I'm saving the thread on my hard drive in case there is a pill I need to swallow in the future. Thanks so much everyone! :)

Chery · Dec 29, 2005, 06:37 AM

You know we'll be here any time you need us. Since I'm making a collection of interesting literature for my daughter, I'll pass some on to you also now and then. The first attachment happens to be on Pregnancy and Drugs, the second on Pregnancy and Exercise. They are in PDF format, so you can keep them or print them. Good Luck!

orange · Dec 29, 2005, 07:05 AM

Wow thanks Chery... the exercise one will be especially good, because I'm worried about getting out of shape. I know it is normal to gain some, but my doc says I want to be careful to not gain TOO much!

Chery · Dec 29, 2005, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by orange

Wow thanks Chery... the exercise one will be especially good, because I'm worried about getting out of shape. I know it is normal to gain some, but my doc says I want to be careful to not gain TOO much!

Glad to help when I can. Just keep listening to your doctor and all will be fine. Here are a few more..

Chery · Dec 29, 2005, 07:34 AM

There still seems to be a problem with looking at new posts or starting new threads. I sure hope this gets fixed soon. Until then, Have a Good Day. I'll check in again later this evening.

orange · Dec 30, 2005, 12:51 PM

Thanks for the files Chery! I really appreciate it!

Yeah I've been having troubles on the board too... yesterday and earlier today as well. Hopefully things are cleared up now though.

Chery · Dec 30, 2005, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by orange

Thanks for the files Chery! I really appreciate it!

Yeah I've been having troubles on the board too... yesterday and earlier today as well. Hopefully things are cleared up now though.

Now THAT was cute! Thanks for sharing..

I could not get into the system either for a while today, I don't have an email to ask if it's my PC or if they are working on something again, but I guess I'll survive, if it's not more than one day - yup, I'm addicted!