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How many pills do you take a day?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 12/19/2007 10:36 AM (GMT 0)
This is my second flare up of CD and I've been put on Pentasa (8 tablets a day) and Prednisolone -40g (8 tablets) to be tapered down over coming weeks. 

This is a lot for me as I'm not used to taking regular medication and I don't suffer from anything else, but I'm guessing somepeople are popping massive amounts of pills all over the place!  What's the maximum amount you've been on in a day?

Does any body else have real trouble swallowing Pentasa as they are so big?  Is there a smaller/easier to take version?

 

Posted 12/19/2007 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Are you taking the 500 mg of pentasa? I know those are big, but the regular ones aren't big. Maybe you can switch to those....it would be more pills, but not as big. I only take 5 pills a day now, but I am on remicade. I can't even remember what I used to take when I was on pentasa....it was 16 pentasa I think.
Posted 12/19/2007 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have had Crohns for over 30 years. I think I have taking as many as 40 a day when I was at my sickest. Now I take between 20-25 depending on what kind of day I am having. Its something you will have to get used to with this disease. You don't always have to take alot, but during those sick times you do. Funny thing is I can get most of those down at one time. A talent we Crohnnies have to learn I guess.
Posted 12/19/2007 3:21 PM (GMT 0)

My GI wants to switch me from the 250mg Pentasa to the 500mg to cut down on the number of pills, but so far I'm resisting.  The 250mg are big enough, thank you!

At the moment I take:

8 Prednisone, 16 Pentasa, 3 Flagyl, 2 Cipro, 3 Imuran, 2 Rocalcitrol, 1 potassium, 1 B-complex, 1 probiotic, Ambien as needed, Tylenol as needed, and 1 Actonel on Saturdays.  On bad days it can be as much as 43 pills.  Yes, I rattle when I walk! tongue    I have my second Remicade infusion this afternoon, and I'm hoping to be able to start my Prednisone taper, so fewer pills soon!

Posted 12/19/2007 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
I have developed swallowing difficulties and am having a barium swallow next week. Of course I think of the worst possible scenario (esophageal cancer) but according to my gi NP and regular NP it can be much less serious than that, i.e. reflux (not that that doesn't have its risks) I first realized I was having a problem when I could no longer swallow pills. I still don't have problems with pentasa though. Even my small pills "stick" but pentasa slides right down.
Posted 12/19/2007 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
a tip I learned is with light capsules like pentasa, tip your chin down, not up, and they float into the throat!
Posted 12/19/2007 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
I just say lots now a days. At one point I was taking including vitamins right around 50 pills. I only am on Humira for my CD now tho nothing else was working so my GI figured no sense in staying on meds that are not doing anything. Most of my pills these days are suppliments I do take pills for other ailements too not including things such as injections and inhalers I am around about 30 pills now
Posted 12/19/2007 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
I take 9 250mg of Pentasa a day. I have tapered off Prednisone. I also take 5 Metamucil tabs a day, a vitamin and 3 Omega 3-6-9 pills. I never took anything before I got sick, but you do get used to multiple pills, especially it it helps!
Posted 12/22/2007 7:19 AM (GMT 0)
I take about 20-30 meds and supplements a day. Sometimes I get sick of taking some of the supplements so that's why I have the range of 10.

50 pills sounds kind of scary but if that is what it takes to keep the ol engine running when it's not doing to hot.... bring it on!
Posted 12/22/2007 7:35 PM (GMT 0)

the most i've taking is 14 pills.

6 in the morning and 8 at night.

this was when i was taking 60 mg. of pred. and was taking off and put on 100mg of Imuran

Posted 12/22/2007 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
depends on the day. it's just over 20 which includes all my meds & vitamins/supplements
Posted 12/23/2007 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
I take 23 pills aday and I all so take Humira once a week.
Posted 12/23/2007 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
Good question. I was wondering about this, as I am at 16 pills a day... my purse looks like a medicine cabinet!!


_____
40 year old female
Diagnosed this year
Been through every test possible
Can't remember names of all the meds - am on Pentasa
Just got home from ER - added another 4 pills as of today (still groggy from IV meds) eyes
Posted 12/23/2007 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
9 colazal
1 zoloft
1 claritin
1 prilosec

and a partidge in a pear tree
Posted 12/23/2007 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
I take 12 Asacol a day, 32 Mg of prednisone which is 4, a folic acid pill, a blood pressure pill, humira injections bi-weekly, and a weekly methotrexate injection too.
Posted 12/24/2007 7:11 AM (GMT 0)
Well lets see here...my pills are kinda akward because I just had surgery, but on average I take atleast 25 a day, and up to about 35 or so. Oh good times...15 in the morning with breakfast, and pain killers, antibiotics, and allergy pills throughout the day from the narcotics making me itchy.

What makes the pills add up is when you are on meds like Asacol or Pentasa and you need to take about 10 to make any difference. Needless to say those babies didn't work for me, and I moved on from them relatively quickly.

 

Posted 12/24/2007 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
I have to agree with Nanners.   Long term Crohnies could probably win a 'how many pills can you swallow at once?' contest.   I take 28 per day, including supplements.  In the morning, I take 12 at once, with one sip of water.  

Posted 12/24/2007 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
44 pills per day and 3 injections a month (humira & B12) Developed the ability to swallow a handful at once early on :)
Posted 12/24/2007 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
I never really counted them up i'm not intrested in knowing because there are to many and i hate taking meds so best to just leave it alone.
Posted 12/25/2007 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Too many LOL!!!!
Posted 12/28/2007 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
16 Asacol
1 prednisone
3 Entocort
2 Levbid
2 Lomotil
1 HCTZ
1 Lisinopril
1 Cymbalta
2 Aciphex
3 Soma
1 Multi-vitamin
1 B-12
1 Vitamin A&D
1 Zinc


Pain meds and NuLev as needed, Remicade every 8 weeks. My husband takes one pill at a time, he always gags when he sees me swallow my morning bunch of 17+.
Posted 1/1/2008 4:12 AM (GMT 0)
3 endocort
2 imuran
3 omega 3
3 flax seed oil
1 calcium
1 vit d

then half ounce of aloe vera juice mixed with water to swallow the pills down

seems to be working so far
Posted 1/1/2008 4:43 AM (GMT 0)

OMG, you are all amazing.  No wonder some people cannot remember if they have taken their meds.

You have true grit for sure.  I take a lot and I don't have Crohn's, my hubby does however.

You are all wise souls and I pray for a cure for this disease daily. 

Hugs to All

Kitt

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