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Any other wrapped family members have trouble swallowing pills?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 7/17/2014 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
So, I've been having issues with swallowing pills for several months now. I decided to test the waters and a Vitamin D gel cap got stuck. My D levels are low.
Luckily, this gel cap isn't caustic.

I'm sure I didn't have enough fluid with the gel cap. I successfully swallowed a pill a few weeks ago with a glass of water. However, drinking that much that fast made me very uncomfortable. Well, after this getting stuck, I'm beyond full of fluid. Since last night, I've had four mugs of hot tea, probably four bottles of water, an Ensure... and I'm still not sure if it went down. Did I mention I'm miserably full?

I woke up with a sore throat, have a bit of a cough, have been clearing my throat, and have been very thirsty at times even though I'm gorged on fluid.

Any thoughts would be great.
Posted 7/17/2014 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Post fundoplication I have had trouble swallowing pills. I switched to breaking open my capsules in some yoghurt and taking my vitamins in liquid form. For pills that need crushing I bought a cheap pill crusher off EBay and mix with strawberry yoghurt to kill the taste.

This got my Vitamin D levels up to normal very quickly and in liquid form too.
http://www.amazon.com/Biotics-Research-Bio-D-Mulsion-Forte/dp/B000UQOCCQ
Posted 7/17/2014 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for responding

I've basically resorted to what you do. Two of my medications are liquid, two can dissolve on the tongue, and I crush the other with two spoons

I think the pill finally went down. However, I feel very poorly. My guess is I consumed too many liquids. Lying down isn't helping as I had hoped. Sigh...

I will check out that link.
Posted 7/17/2014 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
The secret ingredient is BUTTER. Tastes good too.

I also swallow with milk or other liquid with some substance, not water!
Posted 7/17/2014 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
darn. Butter does make sense.
Posted 7/19/2014 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
I'm 3 months (approximately) post Toupet fundoplication, and I still have trouble swallowing pills. Very small ones are fine, but something like a 500 mg paracetamol is very challenging to get down. For anything large, I break into small pieces and take them one at a time. I've not encountered anything yet I've had to take whole; I don't know what I'll do in that case, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I've also found that I can swallow pills a little easier with something flavoured (juice, flavoured still water, etc). I think I get distracted by the taste (as opposed to plain water) and the swallowing comes easier.
Posted 7/19/2014 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi 1039smooth,

Some people (from my experience, most) recover from the surgery and never have a bit of trouble swallowing pills. Some don't even have trouble during recovery. I'm not one of those. I have never been able to swallow big pills since my wrap surgery.

I buy liquid calcium and liquid fish oil (Carlson lemon flavored--amazingly good tasting), and take my vitamin D and multivitamins after taking the fish oil. It works like a charm. Other medications I've found great substitutes for large size pills. I either take two of a lower dose, or have switched to a different type of med. I used to take Allegra antihistimine, which is big, and now I take Xyzal, which is tiny. There are lots of ways to get around difficulty with pills.

Just be inventive!
Happy healing!
Denise
Posted 7/22/2014 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
I can honestly say that I never had problems with pills after my Nissen surgery. I would either try the butter option or check to see if my medications were available in liquid form.
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