Where I work now we seem to have cornered the market on adults who can't swallow pills. I'm not referring to children or eldery people with dysphagia. I'm talking about gagging and crying like they were four or something. They whine and beg you. "Please don"t make me take that pill. I can't swallow it, I never have been able to."
I swear I see at least one a week. I've tried everything, even crushing pills in applesauce. They just can't swallow the med. Of course they don't want an injection or a suppository either.
I am one of those who can't swallow pills. When I was little I choked on everything, and I do mean everything (Bacon, baked beans, skittles, ice, popcorn). My parents were always flipping me upside down and banging me on the back while one of them stuck their finger down my throat. Why that would help I don't know. The only doctor I have ever had trouble with when asking for a liquid has been the dentist. All of my other doctors have given me crushable meds, capsules or liquid. I was taking 600mg Ibuprofen and cutting it in half before taking it. It would still take me several attempts to swallow a half, but I got it done. One day though I got an edge on one of them that scraped down my throat. Since then have had to go back to crushing. I know if I ever have a baby and have to take all of those vitamins it will be bad
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.
I am almost 30 years old and up until 3 years ago I could not swallow a pill. Now I can swallow anything, it is mind over matter. It was one of the biggest hurdles I have come across ( even though that sounds silly).
I had the opposite problem...as a young child I hated, and I mean, hated liquid medicine. I would refuse to take it...and even when it was forced down my gag reflex was so sensitive I would vomit it right back up...for my parents, it was a nightmare.
As soon as I was old enough, they showed me how to swallow a pill. They told me to take a drink, place the pill on the back of my tongue and keep drinking until I couldn't feel it anymore.
What I don't understand now...is how these people in a hospital can take handful of pills, pop them in, drink and swallow.
sdg
48 Posts
I am one of those who can't swallow pills. When I was little I choked on everything, and I do mean everything (Bacon, baked beans, skittles, ice, popcorn). My parents were always flipping me upside down and banging me on the back while one of them stuck their finger down my throat. Why that would help I don't know. The only doctor I have ever had trouble with when asking for a liquid has been the dentist. All of my other doctors have given me crushable meds, capsules or liquid. I was taking 600mg Ibuprofen and cutting it in half before taking it. It would still take me several attempts to swallow a half, but I got it done. One day though I got an edge on one of them that scraped down my throat. Since then have had to go back to crushing. I know if I ever have a baby and have to take all of those vitamins it will be bad