Crushed pills ?

I am officially FOUR (4) lol weeks out now and doing great. But was wondering if I still had to crush my pills or can I just swallow them now ? Does anyone know? Or should I wait and call to ask the Dr tomorrow ? Examples of pills: Tylenol (on occassion), and I take Prozac for my depression. It just tastes so disgusting when it's crushed into something so was really hoping I would be able to just swallow them? Thanks for your help ! ~~Rona

Rona, I think I was 6 weeks out before I tried my pills whole.  I take Skelaxin which is large and I had no problem then taking it.  You might just wait to ask the doctor tomorrow because he will know best.  I hated my pills when I had to crush them.  They tasted horrible.

Thanks Ann ! I have tried them in everything humanly possible and that nasty taste is still there ! YUCK. My pill is quite small and I am sure  I wouldn't have a problem.... just didn't want to mess something up or do something wrong ya know? Hope things are well with you ! ~~Rona

Hi Rona, when I went to the dr for my 2 week check up he told me to take my pills whole if I wanted to ..it was okay. how are you doing on your foods ?  hugs Sherry

THanks SHerry... they are quite small so I am sure they would be okay, just didn't want to mess something up LOL As for the foods......... I am having an awful time ! I just don't know what to do ! I need to find a set menu of foods and just eat that ( I do much better with structure ) but I am just lost ! I'm sure it'll get better ! ~~Rona

HI RONA, MY DR TOLD ME THAT ANY PILLS THAT ARE LARGER THAN A M&M SHOULD BE CUT IN HALF,VS CRUSHED. JUST BECAUSE THEY DO TASTE NASTY WHEN YOU CRUSH THEM AND TRY TO TAKE THEM MIXED IN  LIQUID OR IN FOOD. GOOD LUCK!

In case you didn't know, cvs sells adult liquid tylenol.    It works much faster than pills. Linda

Hi all, This is my first time writing.  I have been reading for a week or so and wasn't sure when or how to join in.  I am so glad you asked about the pills, I take 14 pills daily and I had no idea what was going to happen post op.  All of this is so overwhelming, but 2 girls I work with have gone through the process and are doing great.  They are upbeat, happy and very helpful.  I am just waiting for my psych eval to be turned in and then my ins. ok.  I am excited an scared to death at the same time. Rona, when you talk to your Dr. tomorrow will you post his answer? I will look for it... thanks Bobbi

My advice about crushing pills or opening capsules is this: Talk to your pharmacist.  Any medications that are XR(extended release) or CR(controlled release) or anything like that should NEVER be crushed or broken.  They are designed to release their effects over a long period of time and if you crush or break them before taking them, the entire dose goes into your system immediately and can be very dangerous, much like an overdose.  I called my pharmacist and asked him if I could come in and go over my meds.  It turns out that 5 out of the 7 pills I was on could not be crushed, and liquid form was not available for some.  I told the surgeon and we decided together that I should take them whole.  I only had to stop taking one of the heart meds because right after surgery, it was just too big, and since the weight loss, I don't even need that one anymore. A good guideline is anything bigger than a pencil eraser should either be made smaller, or taken in liquid or chewable form.  Maybe the doctor can  prescribe an alternate medication if yours are too large to take.  Good Luck! KathyG

Hey Rona,       How well we all know that YUK.. LOL I began cutting them into small pc by week 4; very small though. Smaller than a baby asprin to start with.. You try it once with just one pill and see how it goes; and drink a lot of water with them. Hugs, Judy R