Having trouble swallowing pills post-op...suggestions?

Another anti-nausea remedy that works is sipping dill pickle juice. Sounds gross, strange and off-putting, but it actually works for many folks.

Ewwww. Really? Wow. When my daughter was an early teen, she and a friend used to get a dill pickle icee. I thought that was the grossest thing in the world. But sipping dill pickle juice when I feel pukey, I don't know. It probably works great but the thought is crazy weird.

This was recommended by the NP at my doctor's office - it sounded weird and gross to me as well. But I did try it once and it worked like a charm. Someone else brought it up in our support group, said it worked for them too.

The downside is that even a little pickle juice has a lot of sodium, so you need to drink extra beverages to stay hydrated.

I wonder if it is the vinegar? They say (whoever they are) that 5% vinegar kills more germs than bleach.

And I've read lots of the healing powers of the cucumber. Maybe the combo of the vinegar, cucumber juice and the spices is just right to help solve those tummy issues.

I can't take big pills, never could.  Everything I took post-op was either liquid, chewable, dissolvable, or very tiny.  Ditto for the Prilosec, which was small enough for me to swallow, no prob.  Did Foote put you on Prilosec?  If so, take that first thing in the AM, then wait 15 minutes before any other pills.  It settles the tummy against the other vitamins. 

BTW, the anti-nausea pills never worked for me.  What worked was sipping warm tea, no lemon, just a little sweetner.  Green tea is wonderful post-op. 

When I get nausea, I found that licking a chicken buillion cube did the trick for me.  In my husband's dental office, we use a pinch of salt on the very back of the tongue when we get a "gagger" who gags on the dental x-ray thingies.  Something about salt on the tongue disables the gag reflex.  Just an idea.  There was a post recently on confusing pain with nausea.  Did anyone tell you that you CAN take adult liquid Tylenol, with the sugar syrup?  That's all I took for pain post-op, I have a real high pain tolerance. 

I don't think you have to worry about taking your vitamins until they tell you to start.  Take it really easy, let your tummy have it's time to heal.  It gets better before you know it, Heather.

I'm thinking of you every day, hon.

Since you already have the pill crusher, buy some empty gelatin capsules. Fill gelatin caps with the powder (it may take two caps to contain it all). Much easier swallowing and no insta-melting on your tongue...it seems to slide on down. I had to do this with my calcium and multi for 4-6 weeks post surgery. Worked SO well.

Hope it helps you!

I take phenergan with my narcotic for my migraines.  The phenergan gets stuck in the back of my throat, too.  I've learned to put the water in my mouth first and then the pill.  As soon as that nasty sucker hits the back of my throat, I swallow.  Keep in mind, though, that my band is empty and I'm not a new DSer yet.  Your tummy may not be able to handle a whole mouthful of liquid yet.  Best of luck to you on this, and a speedy recovery to you!

I dunno, but for me, unsweetened grapefruit juice makes it easy for me to take pills; I can swallow 15 or so, no problem with the grapefruit juice. Water is more difficult for me to swallow pills with, I have no idea why, but it is what it is???

I started the grapefruit juice because it helps with the absorption, but now, I really like it and it's much easier to take pills with.

Kerry

Well, yeah, I've been wondering about the water too, Kerry.  I'm having a hard time with water.  I can do ok with ice, bu****er at any temperature is not sitting so well.  I'm really having a hard time finding stuff that does sit ok, or anything that tastes ok due to the thrush.  You didn't have any problems with the acidity of the grapefruit juice early out?

Nope Heather, the acidity hasn't ever bothered me, but I've never had any acid related problems, so I may not be you're average bear in that regard. All I can suggest is to get a small bottle of juice and give it a try.

Kerry