Can't swallow pills

[maxiesmom]

Does anyone else have this problem? I gag when I have to take even the smallest pill. It feels like they get stuck in my throat, and I am afraid I am going to choke. I have a pretty good size pill I have to take tomorrow, and even if I cut it in half, it still will be pretty big. Does anyone have any tricks they use to swallow pills? I feel like such a baby, but I can't help it!

 

[Mom21]

I am the worst. Ask your dr or pharmacist if it can be crushed or broken. If so I crush them between 2 spoons and put it in applesauce or a drinkable yogurt. Not always the best tasting, but easier to swallow.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I've found that if I stick my bottom lip out (as if pouting) when I swallow, it always goes right down, every time.

 

[NotAmused]

I have the same problem!! No matter how much I try, I just can't take a pill. I haven't tried to take a pill in quite a few years. Last time I had to take one, I squished the pill up into pieces and mixed it with water. I'm not sure if that has the same effect a pill is supposed to? But I did it anyway.


I am curious to see if anyone has any tips or tricks because I know I will have to take a pill someday

 

[JoyG]

I'm scared to get old b/c I have the same problem. I will take a shot any day over swallowing a pill.

I have to take synthroid medication for my thyroid and atenelol for my heart every day and I chew the synthroid and bite the atenelol into smaller pieces. They synthroid actually tastes good. The atenelol is bitter, but I've gotten used to it.

 

[WDWVillain]

ME! I chew most meds! or I have to crush them up. My food is doing this now thou~so I am going for the old B-swallow on thursday!

 

[darlak]

I've found that if I stick my bottom lip out (as if pouting) when I swallow, it always goes right down, every time.

I'm going to try that! My DD-13 still can't swallow pills. When she goes to the doctor, I can still get liquids meds, but a bottle of liquid Advil goes fast for a kid her size!

 

[Serena]

Try taking it with a thick liquid. Milk, tomato juice, something like that.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I chew all pills....even those that you are not supposed to chew. I can't help it.....

 

[Aimeedyan]

Yep, I am terrible at it. I will always ask for liquid form and for most meds, they do come in it.

My issues come from actually having a pill lodged in my throat that caused me to have surgery. From then on, I immediately gag and puke when I try to swallow them. I am getting better, but only when i'm not very ill. When my Crohns was flaring earlier this year, I threw them all up regardless of what I did.

I give myself a shot on a regular basis and I'd prefer to do that over taking a pill anyday!

 

[mandy200587]

I will chew the pill up, or break it open,mix it with water and drink it down. THen find the nearest jello or pudding to kill the after taste.

 

[CJBaby]

I'm kind of psycho when it comes to swallowing pills, too. When I was young I couldn't do it at all. Maybe my trick will work for you!

All I do is put the pill (in my case, horse prenatal vitamins) on the back of my tounge (not so far back that it gags you, though,) and then I take water (not too cold as it closes the throat,) and then I literally psych myself into thinking I'm only drinking the water and I take a good amount of water in and drink it down. I really have to focus on just drinking the water or my throat closes! It sounds crazy but if you can trick yourself into thinking you're only drinking water, it will work!

(Does that make me strong-minded or dumb enough to be tricked by myself? ) (I'm thinking the second choice!)

 

[FlowersChild]

I can't swallow pills either. I am scared to swallow a pill. I just chew all my pills up. Sometimes I will put my pill in a spoon full of sugar, because when I chew a nasty tasting pill with nice tasting sugar it helps

 

[azgal81]

I am horrible at taking pills. Generally I can get them down no problem though if I drink them with something other then water like orange juice.

 

[Chattyaholic]

When I take pills I wash them down with bottled water. You tend to put your head back further when drinking from a water bottle than you do a regular glass, so it opens the throat up better and they go down much easier for me than using a regular glass.

 

[Goofyluver]

Try what we speech therapists call the "chin tuck". Try tucking your chin to your chest when you are swallowing the pill. It creates a perfect "path" to your tummy. It works for some.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

When taking meds I have to chew some food a bit and put the pill in my mouth then swallow. I cannot just swallow with water, etc.

When I was a kid I was supposed to take a capsule. I couldn't imagine that I was supposed to swallow the entire thing looked so big - so I just thought you were to take it apart and just use the meds inside the outer shell. My mother came in and questioned what in the world I was doing taking the capsule apart - I had little powdery stuff all over (looked a little suspicious).

 

[GJM]

I can't swallow pills either. When I want to take an asprin I will break it up and take it with soda. Soda seems to work better then water -

 

[ZanneMarie]

My mom also has this issue. She swears that putting the pill UNDER her tongue and then drinking a big glass of water does the trick. Weird, I know, but apparently it works for her!

 

[disneygirlatheart]

My dd has this trouble. The doctor told her to start practicing swallowing tictacs. I can remember my grandmother folding her pills up in a piece of white bread and chewing it up. She never could swallow a pill either.