Sorry, Need More Help

I was given the following pills I had to take upon leaving the hospital.

My doctor said I was low on Potassium so I have to take one of these HUGE "Potassium CL 20ME ER Tables" twice a day, crushed up.

I also have to take my usual Spironolactone 25mg crushed up once per day.

I also have to take two "Famotidine 20mg" tables crushed up per day (one at a time).

Although this is the grossest thing in the world, I am able to crush up the Famotidine and the Spironolactone and put them in a little bit of Crystal Light and choke them down, gross but am able to do so.

However the Potassium (which are HUGE) is a whole other story. I have a pill crusher, which I don't feel crushes good enough because this crap does not dissolve this potassium in crystal light, and it being so huge, I gag trying to get it down. So, I messed up yesterday and only got one of them down. Just the thought makes me want to throw up. I think it would be much easier if I weren't on a liquid diet and could put them in applesauce or something.

So, PLEASE let me know the best way to take these things, I'm losing my mind over this. I know I must take them, but if I end up throwing it up, it will do me absolutely no good.

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Wynter

instead of crushing them cut them up in to small pieces. that is what i did. i could not event take the pain pills becuase theyw ere so big and i had to cut them up into peices of 4.

crushing almost makes it worse if they are bitter. so just try and cut them down to a smaller size that is easier.

hope that helps.

Good idea but I'm scared to death of them getting stuck. I'm not sure how small to cut them to make sure they cannot get stuck.

Why on earth can't they make pills, shakes, etc. that taste decent? I want to do the right thing and take what I need to, but it sure is difficult when even the thought of it makes one gag!

I appreciate your reply and I'll think about it. These potassium pills are so huge though, I'd have to cut them up in like 10 pieces probably. UUGGGHHH.

 

Wynter

cut them into as many small pieces as you have too.  i felt the same way, but once they are small they do go down easily with your drink.  just put one small piece in at a time and you will be able to ok.  i like the applesauce suggestion too.  when i came home from the hospital,  i was allowed to eat applesauce and that was one of my staples.  

Here are your options:

1.  Crush them up and put them in a spoonful of applesauce.  Yes, I know you are on liquids.  I'm not your doctor and I understand you feel most comfortable following your doctor's instructions.  I feel quite sure a couple spoonfuls of plain applesauce a day will not hurt you, but if you feel uncomfortable about it, then don't do.

2.  Call your pharmacist and ask if potassium comes in a liquid.  If it does, call your doc tomorrow and ask for a prescription for that.

3.  Cut the potassium into several small pieces and swallow them.  The ASMBS says it's OK to swallow pills as soon as we can tolerate them.  I was swallowing pills before I left the hospital (I know many others who were, too).

The potassium is an extended release (ER) and shouldn't be crushed, I'm surprised the doctor said to continue it!  But there is a powder form made to be mixed with fluid, call and ask for that and ask if you can take a bit of applesauce for the rest.  If you were taking the spironolactone just for it's diuretic properties, I'm surprised he continued that too, usually they take you off of diuretics due to increased risk of dehydration right after surgery!  I would double check on your meds with your doc!

I don't know if the potassium comes in a liquid but it does come in a powder to mix with a liquid- don't know that it will taste any better than crushing!

When I was immediately post op and crushing pills I put them in sugar free chocolate pudding since it covered the taste more than applesauce or yogurt.

And remember, the hole your pills go into is still the same size. It's only the hole at the other end that is smaller. That said, do check ith the pharmacy to see if it comes in liquid and also check online for a compounding pharmacy near you. They specialize in crushing and muching and liquidizing pills.

Good luck!

 Potassium does come is a liquid.  You cant drink it straight (its awful) but it can be mixed in just about anything.  We use it all the time for people who cant get that horse pill down.  It is huge and can be a challege for anyone, not just post rny's.   
Famotidine also comes in a suspension form.  I would ask your pharmacist if they have it in stock and then call and get your provider to order it.   You may have to pay cash for it the first month as you have alredy had one prescription filled for it this month and they usually wont help pay for it again for a change in form until the next month.  Good luck!!!

Kat

Thank you for all the replies. I will check into all of them. I knew I could count on you guys!!

Wynter