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Swallowing pills

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Posted 8/18/2015 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
All,

Hey, I wouldn't say this really causes me any anxious moments, but for the last year or so I've been unable to swallow pills unless it is super tiny like a Flexeril. Has anyone ever had this issue and then bounced back from it? If so, how did you do it?

It's strange. I had an Upper GI or barium swallow done at the hospital a while back in which you have to swallow a large pill. It went down fine. I saw it. A week later, I start having issues, so I'm led to believe it's psychosomatic.

I ask because my old PCP gave me a probiotic called Align that is in capsule form. I mentioned this to my GI doc and he thinks taking it is a good idea, but unscrewing the capsule and taking the contents inside isn't.

Thanks.
Posted 8/18/2015 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
John,
I often have this problem, too, with swallowing pills. Unless it's coated, or microscopic, I psych myself out and tell myself I'm going to choke. I can't tell you how many times it takes me to get down a vitamin pill.
What helps me is taking it with a thicker liquid like orange juice. Milk could work, too, if you aren't lactose.
Xoxoxo
Posted 8/18/2015 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
Sophie,

I'll try it, baby. I crush my Zoloft and let my Xanax dissolve under my tongue.
Posted 8/18/2015 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
John,
You are a brave, brave soul.

Mwah
Posted 8/18/2015 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Sophie,

It tastes terrible. Gimme a kiss right after to serve as a chaser. :P haha
Posted 8/18/2015 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
I gag swallowing sometimes. I pop a lot. rattle when I walk, yes. keep strong guys and gals.
Posted 8/18/2015 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Smooth,

Have you tried hiding it in peanut butter?

...no wait, that's dogs...

Hold on...okay...the head tilt thing!!

Put the pill in your mouth, take a good amount of liquid (not a huge amount, don't drown!) look down, and then quickly tilt your head back like you are looking up. This forces your throat to stay relaxed, and the inertia will help wash the pill down.

Worth a try maybe?

S.C.
Posted 8/18/2015 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
When I was younger, my mom used to hide my pills in apple sauce. They slid down more easily, and I could pretend I was just having apple sauce rather than taking a pill. You could try that, and really, I should do that. lol

When I am psyched out when taking a large pill, I drink a lot of water first, to make sure it won't get stuck. Then I put it on the back of my tongue and swallow quickly, before I have a chance to think about it. Then I drink another glass of water until I am sure it is not stuck in my throat somewhere. I hate big pills!

-Cat
Posted 8/18/2015 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Scaredy, I think I have heard that. Thanks!
Cat, thank ya.
Posted 8/19/2015 10:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Smooth

I have had this problem and the more I think about it the harder I find it to swallow the pill so I take mine with a big gulp of water and just cross my fingers that it goes down and stays down lol.

With regards to crushing your pills I would avoid doing that because when you crush them it means they dissolve quicker into your system which could be to much.

Hibee
Posted 8/19/2015 12:09 PM (GMT 0)
John,

I can't swallow pills the same time as liquid. What I do is stick my fingers all the way back in my mouth and drop the pill down my throat. After that I will drink some water. I usually don't even feel the pill then.
Posted 9/6/2015 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hib, thanks. I crush my Zoloft daily and got the okay to do so some time ago. I simply couldn't handle the liquid. It is amongst the most foul things I have ever tasted. Nothing I take is extended release...at least I believe that is what it's called. You can't crush those. I had my Flexeril refilled and these pills are a lot bigger than what I took before. It's the same dosage, but just a different manufacturer I imagine.

Jennings, I'm not sure I'm grasping how your method works. lol. Does it gag you?
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