TeenHelp

TeenHelp (http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/)
-   General Health (http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f16-general-health/)
-   -   Problems Swallowing Medication (http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f16-general-health/t79029-problems-swallowing-medication/)

Spontaneous Smile July 11th 2011 06:45 AM

Problems Swallowing Medication
 
Lol pills to be exact. I didn't want people to think it was those kinds of drugs though.

So, ever since I was old enough to swallow pills, I've had problems. It's like I lock up and can't swallow them. I currently take 2 pills. One of which is so small that it's not difficult for me at all (it's like...the size of a pin). But the other one is more difficult for me. I freeze up and can't bring myself to swallow it. I'll stand there for 30 seconds- 2 minutes, trying to prepare myself to down it, but I just can't convince myself to do it. Of course, I do swallow it eventually. But it's just discouraging. XD

Mellifluous July 11th 2011 07:49 AM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
Instead of taking it with water, try milk. I hear that works. :) I used to have trouble taking pills, but eventually I just got used to it XD

Mustang412 July 11th 2011 07:51 AM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
When I was younger -- I would put the pill in a little spoonful of yogurt and that always helped for me.

Everglow. July 11th 2011 10:20 AM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
I have the exact same problem. Mine comes from the fact a mint slipped down my throat when I was younger and I choked on it, so now I can't swallow anything big. Whats I do is get disolvable or dispersable ones and mix it with a flavoured drink I like. Or, if you can't get that, put it between two spoons and crunch it up, put it in a drink and swallow it. It's a lot easier.

Maloo July 11th 2011 02:59 PM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
My sister used to put them in a spoonful of applesauce or ice cream when she was younger.

FairyPoppins July 11th 2011 03:06 PM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
I have the same problem. I just swallow mine with food. :)

If you're not supposed to take them with food, try yogurt as someone else suggested. (It's pretty much milk.)

Anomaly July 11th 2011 03:08 PM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
I have the same problem. I can only take small pills otherwise I gag and it just won't go down. There's this thing that cuts the pills in half, I can't remember what it's called though. It really helps me out. You could try googling pill cutter or something like that.

Troubled_Heart July 11th 2011 05:49 PM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
I have to take some pills too, at first I couldn't do it and for about 2 months I had to chew them with yoghurt even though it was really bad for me. Milk works wonders, it's so much easier to take it with! If you can swallow it as you said you should get used to it the more it happens, and try not to think about it, just put it in your mouth and keep swallowing! Don't worry about it, it should come natural soon :) Xxx

Verità July 12th 2011 01:17 AM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
Take them with something, and if you can, crush them. Also, place them on the back of your tongue and tilt your head back, it makes it a bit easier. :)

OMFG!You'reActuallySmart! July 12th 2011 09:33 AM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
Unlike some of the advice, only certain pills can be crushed or cut in half. Pills that can be cut in half usually have a small groove on one side or both sides. The picture below is of Dilantin Infantabs:

https://members.kaiserpermanente.org...s/P_D00070.JPG

When I was younger I had a similar issue. Unlike other users, it wasn't because I had previously choked on something, I was just fearful that the medication would get stuck in my throat. To practice, I swallowed peas and similar-sized foods whole because most pills are around that size. Later on, it became easy because I just imagined it was a pea. Now I don't have to imagine it as a pea, I have no problem taking pills.

If you don't want it with water, you can take milk, applesauce, yogurt, etc... . Be cautious for juice though if the ingredients contain grapefruit juice, even if it's a small amount, take something else.

Spontaneous Smile July 12th 2011 11:05 AM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
I used to have a pill cutter, but I like to not use it so much anymore. The milk we have is skim milk, so it's basically like water. XD As for the yogurt and food, I ought to try that.

My mom and grandma always told me that if the pill dissolves or something then it doesn't work as well. So I've always just assumed to try and swallow it normally and quickly. :/

But thanks for the advice so far, guys!

niente_ July 12th 2011 11:57 AM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
I had that problem too, to the point where my mum had to open the capsule and pour the powder in to a glass of water, mix it round and shove it down my throat. I hate swallowing paracetamol, to the point where I'd rather just hurt -_- lol

MegaMadness July 12th 2011 12:23 PM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
I had this problem. I just kept trying again and again and after a few tries now I'm just used to it. That's my best advice.

Nightblood. July 12th 2011 01:43 PM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
If you like chocolate milk, buy a small thing of low fat or non fat chocolate milk. For me, it makes it feel like I didn't swallow anything at all. I always have this when I have to take giant pills that wouldn't usually go down for me at all. I usually get the store brand.
And like someone said, against what some others have said, do NOT dissolve or crush them unless you ask your doctor if it's okay. Some are time released and crushing/dissolving them you would be getting it all at once.

Briana July 12th 2011 05:16 PM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
My advice is to throw the pill in the back of your mouth... like open your month and put the pill on the back of your tongue and with your gag reflux it will fall down your throat on it's own...it might feel weird and it's kinda like dry swallowing, but it works, then drink a big gulp of water to help push it down further.

Magical Forest. July 13th 2011 10:56 PM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
I used to absolutely hate taking pills, and now I take 7 in one go!
Make sure you have a drink on hand, I use orange juice, or milk works fine. Put the pill(s) on the back of your tongue, take in some fluid, tilt your head back and swallow. Follow with more fluid.
Taking tablets is something you get used to, don't know how I built it up to 7 at a time (not overly large ones)

Kristen♡ July 13th 2011 11:10 PM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
Same exact problem! It's so aggravating!

ALLorNOTHINGforCHRIST July 15th 2011 10:38 PM

Re: Problems Swallowing Medication
 
There are things not really machines, but little things you can get that will actually crush the pill for you.


All times are GMT. The time now is 11:09 AM.

Powered by vBulletin®.
Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search engine optimization by vBSEO.
All material copyright ©1998-2025, TeenHelp.
Terms | Legal | Privacy | Conduct | Complaints | Mobile