How do you take your meds?

[mem222]

I was told by my mhp that I'll have to grind them up and eat them, I can't imagine how gross that will be!!!! How did you all manage? How soon can you stop grinding and take them whole?

[justilou]

I have a nutribullet which has a grinding attachment. I am about to experiment (Pre-op) with grinding them into a shake.

[mem222]

Let me know how you make out. I have a nutribullet, I'll take it out and try it myself. Yuck.

[greenmomma]

I took them whole the entire time. Just like normal.

[NewMeBy50]

It's interesting how different our docs are. Prior to surgery I literally took five different prescriptions: two high blood pressure pills, Metformin for "pre-diabetes," a cholesterol reducing pill, and a happy pill. Literally, the day after surgery after getting my post-surgery blood work done, my doc took me off one of the bp pills, the Metformin, and the cholesterol pill. He kept me on the happy pill and cut the dosage of my other bp pill in half. Post-surgery, I have never crushed them; however, I did take 1, wait 10 minutes, and then took the other. Now I take both at the same time.

[Diana1180]

I take my gas pill...wait 10 minutes... then my other pills...waiting 10 minute between each.

My pills are small though. Was never told to grind them...always managed swallowing them just fine.

[rntwinsmommy]

Apparently it depends on the doc. I have to crush pills until 4 weeks post op. My vitamins have to be specific Bariatric vitamins..my calcium is a chewy and my MVI is like a Tums. Good luck.

[Sarasjourney]

I was told to crush my medication, even in pre-op. And for a month I did. I crushed them in a pill crusher, put the dust in about 6 oz of water, added a water flavoring packet and shot it back. Eventually it got to the point where I threw up my medication because despite the drink flavoring covering the taste of the pills it was still disgusting. Post-op I plan to take my meds as they should be, going by the "pencil eraser" rule which is to cut in half or quarters any pill bigger than a pencil eraser.

[mem222]

Thank you all.

[suzn358]

My doc had me crushing for 12 weeks!

[mem222]

Oh man. I have to be honest, this pill crushing issue is what I am most worried about! I am not nervous about the procedure or the pain afterwards (I had a C-section - this will be a breeze

[bikrchk]

For the first week or 2, for whatever I couldn't get chewable, (wasn't much) I crushed with a pill crusher and choked down in a spoon of applesauce. It was pretty awful for some meds, (senna). Shortly, I was cutting the bigger ones in half and swallowing the pieces and just swallowing the smallish pills when needed. I did opt for Tylenol Jr chewable grape flavor for pain, (about 3 every few hours which is like 1/2 an adult dose). Went down lots easier than crushed adult Tylenol and didn't need narcotics.

[amandajane]

I was swallowing pills right away- no problem except I couldn't gulp water so I had to wash them down with small sips. But otherwise- I had no issue swallowing the pills whole per normal.

[mrf0418]

Hi guys,

I do no post much but thought this an important piece of information to share. I am an RN in a hospital and deal with many medications and issues with people taking them. I am aware that every MD has a different protocol for medications but the most important thing is to discuss with your pharmacist if your medication can be crushed or split up. If it is an extended release tablet, it should never be split or crushed, if it has no indentation to cut it, it is not supposed to be cut. Even some capsules are not meant to be opened.... Many medications are like this and people just are not aware. Sometimes the MD who ordered the tablet may have to order something else (in the same family) due to it's inability to be crushed or split up. Everyone who crushes or cuts up their pills are early in recovery, so I would hate to see a problem occur which could be avoided.

[mem222]

Yes, I spoke with the prescribing Dr. and she said that it all has to be crushed. I don't take anything that is extended relief and nothing comes in liquid