Anyone have problems digesting large pills?

[Hidden_Mickey]

I think I'm losing it, but I have to ask if anyone else has experienced this. Several years ago I took an antibiotic that was a large pill and it HURT as my body digested it. Recently, I was taking a regular (pretty good sized) multivitamin, chewable vitamin C and chewable calcium each am with no problems. A few weeks ago I started taking a vitamin C and calcium that were not chewable, and I've been having weird stomach issues. Pain, gas, bloating, constipation. Now, I drink a LOT of water and eat lots of fiber, so there is no reason for constipation. I really have this odd sensation that the pills are getting "stuck" in my system and it's backing me up. I actually gained 3 pounds and then lost it once the pills uh, worked their way out, if you know what I mean. I think it's the calcium pill so I cut it in half to see if that would help and it didn't. So, now what do I do? I have this huge bottle of pills that I bought at Costco... I could bring them back but... ugh. First of all, am I nuts? Does this happen to anyone else? Second, how do I avoid this? Take half in the morning and half at night? I made sure I took them with food, and not just a glass of milk, but that made no difference. I tried taking them before and after I ate to see if that made a difference but it didn't. I made sure I drank an entire glass of water also, but it didn't help.

So, am I crazy, and do you have any suggestions?

 

[Christine]

My problems aren't as severe, but yes I've had issues with large pills. There is so much binder in them that you are having issues. Also, calcium is notoriously hard to digest and many doctors who treat patients with loose bowels due to IBS recommend calcium pills because they can be binding.

I suggest you get rid of those pills and look for more liquid forms of vitamins.

I take a Vitamin D from Costco that is oil-based. You can also find liquid calcium and vitamin D (and I think Costco might carry it). They are a bit more expensive but probably better for you as they can be easily digested and absorbed.

Also, for multivitamins, Centrum makes an adult chewable and you can also take Flinstones.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I do, I have to chew ALL my meds and if they cannot be chewed I have to get liquid! lol I have had a problem swallowing for the past 4 years. It always felt like a hurt in my throat into my stomach, and now I have panic attacks so I do not even bother! I just chew everything, so much easier for me.

 

[Meriweather]

DD can't take large pills. Upsets her stomach.
She takes the chewy gummy vitamins....was taking 2 of the kids one, but now Costco started carrying adult ones, so she is happy about that.
She has issues with Dayquil and those though.

 

[kerstfan1]

i have the same problem

for after my surgery im going to not the oral but the other pain meds

the good thing about antibiotics is some u an disolve in water

 

[LuvOrlando]

What about 1/2 in the Am with breakfast and 1/2 in the PM with dinner? Unless the pill is coated in a non-digestible coating your stomach acids should be bashing it into a paste way before it passes to your small intestine for absorption.

Could you stand to bite into the pills first or cut the tablets into quarters? Personally, I give my migraine pills a chomp on my back teeth before swallowing because the smaller fragments absorb faster which means I feel better faster. It doesn't taste good but I've gotten used to it.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

My MIL went in for ulcer sugery and when they opened her up they found pills lodged in the ulcers that had not digested! Now mind you she only take 2 pills a day yet they found more than 2 pills so you know they had been there for awhile.

Have a friend who is a health nut who told me a lot of time large vitamins do fully digest and it is best you take the chewables so that you get the full effect of the vitamin.

 

[momof5boys]

I could never take regular vitamins either because it gave me horrible stomach aches! I now take a custom vitamin that works very well and no digestive problems at all! It's from a direct marketing company so I can't post it on here. Even people who had gastric bypass surgery can take them. Up until now (even with my pregnancies) I couldn't take vitamins!

 

[Lanshark]

I hate large pills. I can't take most vitamins because of the size so DH decided to buy me Gummi Vitamins. It sounds stupid but it works.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I get a strange feeling in my throat when I take large pills. It feels as though it is stuck 1/2 way between my throat and stomach. It burns and literally hurts.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Yikes, they were stuck in her stomach?! I stopped taking them Friday and feel better since then. Chewables for me from now on!

 

[DarthKTrava]

My ex-boyfriend would have stomach issues taking pills so he'd mash them up and mix them with Dr. Pepper and then drink them.

Sometimes, it feels like pills get stuck in my throat. And mainly they're not "horse pills' but Ibuprofen.