I Can't Swallow Pills!

themrs1020

Since I was a kid I've never been able to swallow pills (standard Tylenol size or bigger). Just got my first Rx for prenatals & WOW. I knew going in they would be large but I'm pretty sure that I will be unsuccessful. My doc knows my history, but wanted me to give it a try. Has anyone else who has this issue found an alternative?

Kristinmo

You can take gummy vitamins instead.

smg2302

^ This.  The Target brand ones are pretty great.  When I had MS with my DD they were the only ones I could take.

themrs1020

That was my initial thought. By my doc and hubby aren't in agreement...

Jags8

My doc said the gummy ones are just fine. I take VitaFusion gummies.

Kristinmo

If you really can't swallow the pills I promise your OB and husband will agree the gummies are better than nothing.

themrs1020

Thank you everyone! My hub is a pharmacist (ughhh) and my doc is extremely anal and research based so I think that is why they are pushing the pills. But I'll be having a convo with him tonight! Thanks!

smg2302

Nicb13 said:

NailQueen said:

I can't swallow pills either. With my first prenatal vitamin with B, Dh bought  me a pill crusher and crushed the pill into chocolate pudding and I took it that way - to this day I can't eat chocolate pudding so i would try doing it with something you don't mind giving up. Those prenatals ended  up making me sick so my doctor gave me samples of others to try. Found one that was chewable in a berry flavor and took that the rest of my pregnancy -it was awesome. See if your doctor is okay with it -its called select OB+dha chewable caplet. Good luck

My mom used to hide crushed up medicine in applesauce when I was a kid and it took me close to 20 years to be able to eat applesauce again!

My mom did Jell-o.  It still takes me 2-3 tries to swallow a pill and the ones without coating on them are the worst.  And then my DH goes and dry swallows any pills he has to take.  Go figure.

Narumi

I use Centrum chewables and take separate calcium, iron, and folic acid. Doc has no problem with it, as the daily amounts are the same as (or more) than a prenatal. Plus it's much cheaper!!

Edited to add: I have been diagnosed with a small esophagus, and have even had surgery several times to "stretch" it out. I've never been able to swallow anything bigger than a sudafed.

mrssl3813

I use VitaFusion gummies too.

themrs1020

I have Barrett's Esophagus due to years of reflux since I was child so that could be a contributor.

Jags8

Narumi said:

I use Centrum chewables and take separate calcium, iron, and folic acid. Doc has no problem with it, as the daily amounts are the same as (or more) than a prenatal. Plus it's much cheaper!!

Edited to add: I have been diagnosed with a small esophagus, and have even had surgery several times to "stretch" it out. I've never been able to swallow anything bigger than a sudafed.

My mom just had that procedure! I didn't even know that that was a thing until she told me a couple weeks ago.

Mysterious_wife

I'm also a "dry swallower." I can't take pills with liquid. I feel like I'm choking. It's interesting how everyone is different when it comes to medicine.

Narumi

Nicb13 said:

Narumi said:

I use Centrum chewables and take separate calcium, iron, and folic acid. Doc has no problem with it, as the daily amounts are the same as (or more) than a prenatal. Plus it's much cheaper!!

Edited to add: I have been diagnosed with a small esophagus, and have even had surgery several times to "stretch" it out. I've never been able to swallow anything bigger than a sudafed.

Interesting. I wonder if I really have some sort of problem like you mentioned. I have a hard time swallowing food as well as pills.

I used to have a problem with food getting stuck very frequently, and made an appointment to see a specialist- a gastroenterologist. To do the diagnosis, they did a "barium swallow", where they do x-rays as you swallow a (nasty) liquid that contains barium (to show up on the x-ray), and they can map out your esophagus all the way down. They found a section of mine that is less than half the normal adult size, so no wonder I've always had trouble!