Problem swallowing tablets

Cheetah Designs · 9 Jun 2007 at 19:52

Hi there,

I hope this isn't considered a medical thread - if it is then please delete.

Well I have a problem swallowing tablets and was wondering if anyone has any techniques that i haven't heard of to help me swallow the pills.

I am able to swallow pills when if i eat something like banana to get it down, but it hinders the effectiveness of pills as the ingredients absorb the pill (or summing like that).

Its wierd because i think i can swallow pills, but tbh im not totally sure, cause when i put a vitamin tablet at the back of my mouth and swallow water, most of the time i don't gag and it seems to have gone down, but I feel as if it is just logged at the back of my throat because whenever i swallow it feels as if it is there. I've coughed to see if anything is still there, but nothing comes out my mouth, so im not sure....Is this common when you have just swallowed a pill?

Cheers.

DB_SamX · 9 Jun 2007 at 19:55

Practice makes perfect.

RandomTom · 9 Jun 2007 at 19:56

I can't swallow them, I know you might feel like an idiot but always ask if it's possible to take a liquid, in the recent past I've had liquids and it's all been fine.

Zogger · 9 Jun 2007 at 19:57

I always wonder why people have problems, I've always been able to swallow pills without water etc. I just put them on my tongue, flick them to the back of my mouth and swallow...

G-MAN2004 · 9 Jun 2007 at 19:57

That used to happen with me where it feels like it's lodged. I just make sure the pill/tablet is near the back of your mouth and and just gulp large amounts of water.

Jenie · 9 Jun 2007 at 19:57

I couldnt swallow tablets either so I used meltlets, they just disolve in your mouth and dont taste to bad, I can now swallow tablets, I think it just became a fear of swallowing them and choking, so I drink some water first so my mouth isnt dry and then put in the tablet and just keep drinking until its gone! But yeah i think it is quite normal for it to feel like its still there! well i hope so because i can still feel i sometimes!

Jen x

Cheetah Designs · 9 Jun 2007 at 19:58

RandomTom said:
I can't swallow them, I know you might feel like an idiot but always ask if it's possible to take a liquid, in the recent past I've had liquids and it's all been fine.

Yeah I have to ask for liquids at the moment, but sometimes there isn't a liquid format, and I feel like its something that I should "learn to do"

Relentless · 9 Jun 2007 at 19:59

DB_SamX said:
Practice makes perfect.

+1

I never used to be able to, now I can have 3 or 4 at once.

(suppliments that it :eek:

)

Vix · 9 Jun 2007 at 19:59

I had a problem for years but it was totally psychological, I didn't know if my throat would be big enough for the tablet to fit (no sniggering at the back there) and I would be scared of choking.

My Doctor told me you can fit a hosepipe down your throat, so whenever I need to take a tablet now, I think that, and I'm fine. Dunno if that will help you

Don't actually try and stick a hosepipe down yer neck though!

Coran · 9 Jun 2007 at 20:00

I struggle to swallow tablets too but I find if I drink something slightly thicker than water, like juice for example, it makes things easier.

ArmyofHarmony · 9 Jun 2007 at 20:01

I struggle to swallow big pills

sjt269 · 9 Jun 2007 at 20:03

I'm terrible at taking tablets too, I just make sure I take them with some food. I'm on some atm actually that I need to take an hour before food, but I just take a single bite of something (biscuit, slice of bread etc) and take the tablet with that. I've never been good at taking tablets with just water, or without anything. I still think swallowing tablets is a horrible feeling...swallowing food doesn't seem to bother me, oddly enough.

Millwall.FC · 9 Jun 2007 at 20:04

i cant swallow pills with water has to be done with a glass of milk.

Cheetah Designs · 9 Jun 2007 at 20:06

tTz said:
*snip*

I understand what you are saying if i take with food, i don't usually get the feeling its still there, but with water i do.

Its just i dont want to have to take with food as it reduces the effectiveness of the tablet because the things in the tablet bond with the food

Millwall.FC said:
i cant swallow pills with water has to be done with a glass of milk.

What i am on at the moment, specifically says dont take with milk.

...taken with a full glass of water two hours after eating, and one hour before eating. This is partly due to the fact that it binds easily with magnesium, aluminium, iron, and calcium, which reduces its ability to be completely absorbed by the body. Dairy products or preparations containing iron are not recommended directly after taking...

...or is it the same precautions with all tablets?

Margaret · 9 Jun 2007 at 20:06

Coke is the only way.

Mr Gimp · 9 Jun 2007 at 20:09

What the christ is wrong with you people?! :eek:

Millwall.FC · 9 Jun 2007 at 20:12

Cheetah Designs said:
I understand what you are saying if i take with food, i don't usually get the feeling its still there, but with water i do.

Its just i dont want to have to take with food as it reduces the effectiveness of the tablet because the things in the tablet bond with the food
What i am on at the moment, specifically says dont take with milk.
...or is it the same precautions with all tablets?

i dont get asfar as reading the instructions lol what ever my doctors ever given me iv just took his recomended amount with a quater pint of milk :S

Azagoth · 9 Jun 2007 at 20:14

Allow me to offer you the obligatory "stick 'em up your arse" answer!

The amount of pills I have to take each day I'm glad I can easily swallow them. What I do is just place them on my tongue and take a tiny sip of water, seems to be easier than a big mouthful for me.

topgun06 · 9 Jun 2007 at 20:14

I don't have any problems with swallowing tablets. Don't think ive come across any who cant :confused:

Isnt it just like swallowing a pea or something small like that?

knip · 9 Jun 2007 at 20:15

I have to take a lot of tablets due to a medical condition, and I just put the tablet about half way back on my tongue, then use a finger to slide it along my tongue and down the back of my throat. Then have a big gulp of water.
Job done