Pill Crushing

[DesertGal]

I was told by my NUT to use liquid for all my vitamins and supplements, etc, for the first month post op. So I bought a butt load of things on the list. When I had my final visit at the doctor the other day they said to use liquids for THREE months (preferably forever) and IF I had to cut up a larger pill (which I do take a giant horse pill at bed for sleep) to cut it in to tiny pieces. My question is: During this first week after surgery I am going to have to take the dang sleeping pill and I plan to crush it up. There is NO way I am mixing it with the ISOPURE because I can barely suck that stuff down as it is, so if I stir the pill in with a tad of applesauce, will that be a huge NO NO? Isn't applesauce (sugar free) basically watery anyway? Anyone ever do something similar.

I didn't take my pill last night because I have NO FOOD in me and I truly thought I had OD'd Friday night on it. (I've been on this med for 20 years and NEVER had this happen). It went into my system so fast and hard (not like it usually does). SO last night I thought I had better not take it period without food in me, and I fell asleep close to 10 and woke up at 12am and have been up ever since. I can't do this after surgery.

[Donald G]

I can't answer this as my doctor never asked me to switch to liquids for my meds. Other then the first day post op I had no troubles taking any of my medications. One of my pills is on the large side so i break it in 3 pieces now when taking it outside of that all the rest I take whole.

[DesertGal]

Thanks Donald, good to know. I get the impression the office is super strict about everything, which I understand... to a point. I would prefer just taking my pills WHOLE, as long as they're cut up into manageable pieces. I don't want an ER visit because I have a pill lodged in my gullet or stomach, but these liquid meds are hard to swallow. As you can see from previous posts, I have issues with TASTES! ( Isopure, other protein shakes, liquid meds). I have no problem taking vitamins and supplements at all, but want them in pill form. (I know, I'm a wuss!)

[RehabNurse]

I bought a pill crusher prior to surgery, but it is still in its package as I type this reply. I found I was able to swallow whole pills without any issues, even the large ones. I never converted to liquid medications, nor did the doctors' office require me to.

As long as I swallowed the large pills whole in pudding or yogurt, they went down just fine.

[Christie13]

I took pills with no issues. If I crushed them I'd gag as I'm sensitive to tastes as well.

[Tamera2]

I use chewable vitamins and did get two of my meds in liquid and took them for first 5 mos.and crushed some. I mixed in sm amount of fruit juice then switched to applesauce or strawberry sauce when i was on full liquid diet. My doctor had us drink some juice and eat apple sauce. They felt some surgar from those things helped metabolism when you are so restricted. Given my results I think they are right and it was used only a small amount. My doctor let me take pills whole after that. I have a huge potassium pill i swallow whole and have zero problems and my potassium levels best they've been. I took a sleeping med to and after surgery I crushed it after the pharmacist said ok to do. It was an awful experience, It got into my system to fast and felt i was going to die. I used chewable Melatonin after a couple of weeks because my insomnia was bad. That has done the trick. Good luck. Also the first night and morning of surgery you can't have anything by mouth only IV meds. I made sure to take essential meds I needed before surgery. Good luck

[HillsdaleAlix]

CRUSHING PILLS MAY BE DANGEROUS. You need to ask your PHARMACIST (not the doctor) because they're the chemists. MANY pills are made to dissolve after they go through your stomach and I have to wonder if that's why a sleeping pill is hitting you so hard. Please check with the pharmacists. Please please.

[DesertGal]

Thank you everyone for your input. You know what? I am going to just cut the pills that are large and swallow them. I can't imagine barfing my tender stomach to smithereens (yes, my gag reflex is that bad when it comes to tastes or textures I can't handle) so i think if I am careful with the small size of pills and sips of water I will be OK. I use a pill crusher on my daughter's meds DAILY (hormone, thyroid, sleep aid), and mix her pills with a dab of yogurt and always wonder HOW she takes it willingly (she has no choice, really) and never gags. I can't do it, I know me and I physically can't tolerate that kind of "ick" on my tongue or in my mouth.
As I sit here typing this out, with that God awful Blue Raspberry Isolate I am taking swigs of, inches from my hands, I have faith that my meds will all work out.

[DesertGal]

CRUSHING PILLS MAY BE DANGEROUS. You need to ask your PHARMACIST (not the doctor) because they're the chemists. MANY pills are made to dissolve after they go through your stomach and I have to wonder if that's why a sleeping pill is hitting you so hard. Please check with the pharmacists. Please please.

I took my sleeping pills WHOLE the Friday night when I had that horrible experience, and I attribute the side effects to having no food in me (just the ISOLATE and a bit of broth). I know after checking with the pharmacy Saturday morning, this med is not to be crushed as it's time released. I take rheumatoid arthritis pills too but they are small and I shouldn't have any issues with them going down.

[Luna354]

Talk to your pharmacist to see if there are any alternatives to the pills you take. Time release pills can't be cut or crushed.