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There has to be smaller pills

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 7/16/2014 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
I just got diagnosed with Crohn's yesterday (7/15) and was kind of given an option of Pentasa or Lialda. The only problem is I can't swallow pills and both of these are huge!! Does anybody know of smaller pills that are available? I know there are shots I could inject myself but I would rather not take a stronger prescription (or steroids) than necessary. Also any tips for a new Crohn's patient would be helpful. Thanks!
Posted 7/16/2014 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
I'm really sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Talk to you GI about the swallowing problem. There may be options aside from going to something stronger. Where is your disease located? If it's in the lower colon, there are mesalamine enemas available (the same medication that's in Pentasa and Lialda), for instance. Usually Pentasa is prescribed for the small intestine though. I took Asacol (used for the colon) instead of Lialda, which I think replaced Asacol. They weren't overly large pills, but when you can't swallow pills, you can't swallow pills, no matter.

There is no one size fits all for this disease. Some do well on their medications while others find satisfactory treatment elusive. What works really well for one may do nothing for another, whether it's diet or medication. Just keep that in mind as you learn about other patients' ups and downs with Crohn's.

And welcome to the forum! -Joy
Posted 7/16/2014 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
I had the same problem about swallow ing pills in the beginning but then you have to push yourself to take them . Its the only way ur gonna feel better unless you like to try the enemas and they are no fun either. Like Jasanne said it depends where your disease is located.
Posted 7/16/2014 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor basically said there is no other option and he said they had never encountered someone who has a problem swallowing pills so they didn't know what to tell me. He first prescribed me Pentasa because my Crohn's is in the ileum (small intestine) but when I said I had trouble with pills he changed to Lialda, even though he said it may not be as good as Pentasa for me. I guess I just need to practice swallowing pills
Posted 7/17/2014 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
If you don't have an esophageal stricture or something physiologically wrong, you can train yourself to swallow them. I look at it this way--most people, when eating, will commonly swallow pieces of food that is every bit as large or larger than a pill. When teaching my daughter to swallow a pill when she was young, I told her to pretend to have been chewing food and get a good drink of water to wash that "food" down. It worked.

When I was on a lot of different pills, I commonly swallowed 4 to 6 pills in one gulp without getting choked, but I know it's hard for some to learn.
Posted 7/17/2014 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
The trick with all pills is to keep your throat open. My mother had a doctor teach her how to take pills back in 1971 and I have taught many others over the years. My daughter could take pills by the age of 4.

Instructions - take a sip of water, hold it in your mouth, tilt your head back so your throat opens to its widest point, drop pills in and swallow, you should not taste them or feel them. I can take a handful of horse pills all at the same time by using this method. Remember to not drop your chin when you go to swollow, take practice. Good luck.
Posted 7/17/2014 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
I take Pentasa but it comes in granules, I used to have the pills but they swapped me after work on my stomach (nf). I put the granules in my mouth and rinse down with water. Could you ask if this option is available?
Posted 7/17/2014 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Red, when I took the 500mg caplets (2 2xdaily) I was able to take them by getting a mouthful of water then slip the pill in between the lips and swallowed, 1 caplet at a time.  You get used to it and it gets easier. 
Posted 7/22/2014 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
I find I cannot take large pills or more than one or two pills with water. I gag on them. I take all my pills with milk and when I have a large amount to take (16 at one time between steroids and antibiotics!) I take them with chocolate milk which helps a lot. I find the pills stick in my throat more with water and frankly I just get nauseous.
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