Question:
Silly question about swallowing
This is silly I know, but something I thouht about today. I'm 3 months out Lap RNY. Early on I could hardly swallow anything solid with it getting 'stuck'. Because my surgeon told me I no longer had to crush my vits..I decided to try it today. Actually I split the large Calicum Citrate in 1/2 and took it like that and it didn't get stuck...although I did FEEL it going down. My question is...."why do things not get stuck anymore and why is it OK to take those big pills without crusing them? What's stretching? Is that good or bad? I just don't wanna do anything that will hinder my progress and it scares me that I can now take 1/2 pill and it go down without discomfort". — hatda (posted on April 25, 2008)
April 25, 2008
Hi, I had the same problem. But what I had to do for 6 months was take all
chewables. I'm not sure if this helped you in any way.
— Charmaine C.
April 25, 2008
It's not silly at all! I often wonder why anyone would take that chance of
not crushing a pill or at least chewing it into several itty bitty pieces.
Since I had my surgery 4 years...I have had two scary episodes of things
getting stuck...and it's enough to make me gag if something is too big.
Also both times were years after surgery! I cannot swallow food that is
not completely chewed...I personally would not do it even if docs say it's
okay. Why take that chance? It's the most horrible feeling and hurts!
People with RNY have a MUCH better chance of absorbing pills, vitamins,
food...etc, if it is CHEWED or liquid...Plain and simple...It makes the
choice easy for me!Just make the choice that feels better to you!
I'm with you! It doesn't feel right to swallow big pills and even if I
wanted to...I can't 'cause I gag.
I will NEVER swallow a whole pill...or anything that is solid.
— .Anita R.
April 25, 2008
Many people have difficulty swallowing larger pills. I don't know if they
have mental rervations about things getting stuck, or it's actually some
sort of physical problem. I do know that I found it inconvenient to swallow
multiple vitamin and calcium citrate large pills daily. So I opted for a
liquid vitamin and powdered calcium citrate, that I mix with shakes or
food. One ounce per day of the liquid vitamin is the daily dose, as noted
on my profile page.
— Dave Chambers
April 25, 2008
Your throat is swollen from surgery and the attachment of your pouch to it,
so it is harder to swallow large items for 4-8 weeks. Then it becomes
easier. You are not really going to stretch your pouch with a few large
pills. It is stuffing too much food that might do that, but you will know,
because you will fell the pain for 30-60 minutes after eating. Best of
success to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
April 25, 2008
After surgery from not eating what you are used to everything shrinks down.
When you are able to start eating it starts getting back to normal. you are
fine.
— nascar_angel_3_2003
April 25, 2008
PLEASE, PLEASE, be careful taking anything whole. On 3/20 I posted about
taking an Allegre D. It stuck and I posted one week later that it was still
stuck. My surgeon keep expecting it to go down or desolve. It did neither
and after 3 weeks and 5 days I had a pandescopy or upper endoscopy to have
it removed. I have pictures showing the tiny area that was open to allow
liquids to pass but nothing solid. My surgeon kept the pill, still whole,
to show other patients as a warning. I lived on Slim-Fast, tomato soup and
chicken broth. The good news is that I dropped 15 lbs in that time.
— Tawnda C.
April 26, 2008
My surgeon puts NO restrictions on pill taking, just to do what is
comfortable in terms of the size. I know those big Cal-citrate things are
giant. I just switched to all pills for my vitamins because I just
couldn't stand the thought of chewables anymore and it seems to be working
fine. It is a meal in and of itself so I just take the opportunity to get
a lot of extra water while I'm taking my vitamins! The multi's are the
ones that are so big in my book. I WORRY every time that one will stick
but so far, so good. Anyway, all of my other meds are all pill form and I
don't have a problem and have been taking them since surgery. My surgeon
has done over 1800 lap RNY's so I do trust his advice. His patients all do
very well. I think you'll be fine as you get used to the pills.
— Nanci H.
April 26, 2008
I had the same problem.....it was due to damage from GERD before my RNY
surgery. I was sent to a GI doc who did an endo to take the kinks out of
my esophagus and stretch it some. Haven't had a problem since....best
wishes to you!
— Diva4Him
April 26, 2008
Have you tried taking the larger pills with Apple Sauce or pudding? The
texture of these type foods may help make the pills go down a little
easier. I would give these a try and see how they work. Keep in mind that
I am NOT a medical practitioner. I have just had a bit of experience
TAKING meds. I have Fibro-Myalgia, Severe Migraines, Diabetes, Asthma,
Allergies, and a HOST of other problems too NUMEROUS to list. I have taken
medications of one sort or another DAILY for YEARS including CHEMOTHERAPY
for 2 years. I have had to swallow pills that would choke a HORSE! One or
the other always seemed to help.
Hope this helps,
Hugh
— hubarlow
April 30, 2008
One of the reason's why we have to take chewable vitamins or liquid
medicine in the beginning is because your pouch can not digest or absorb it
properly. When you are further out your pouch can digest it better. I am 6
months out and have never had a problem with things getting stuck.
— teekayoki
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