Adults Who Can't Swallow Pills

Specialties Emergency

Published

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.

Anybody else run into this in the ED?

with me I used to be able to swollow 6 pills at once with no water at all. Now everytime I try I puke. My psychiatrist thinks it is a mental thing, but not one I can controle. He said that probably after one of my surgeries (because the issue started after one of them) while I was on antibiotics one of the horse pills got stuck and it is now my body trying to protect itself. I had brought it up with him because I did think it was all a mental thing and wanted to work through it. I still cant, but luckely when I am in the hospital it is not hard to come by the liquid forms for my nurses. I go to a peds hospital since I have a genetic disorder. Since its a peds hospital they are used to dealing with people who cant swallow pills and have the alternatives on hand, or atleast easily accesable.

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Specializes in ER and Home Health.
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.

Anybody else run into this in the ED?

All the time, I just leave it to the doctor to decide what to and I document. Life is simple

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I do find some of the comments insensitive. "Get over it"? Sorry, I have given birth several times without even pain meds, & have a low pain threshold, but swallowing pills is the one thing I CAN'T do. Not by choice, I would much rather just swallow something, then have to chew something that leaves a nasty taste behind for a long time, or a shot, or even a bad tasting liquid. Please stop assuming people who can't swallow pills are babies, it is very uncomfortable and embarassing to have to admit, especially to an intolerant medical 'professional' who should know better. I would be willing to try anything to be able to do this, so quit thinking that all of us who can't swallow pills are drama queens/kings! Have a heart!

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Specializes in ER.

No problem if the patient wants a pill crushed. I don't have an issue with it.

If they want it to taste good, or want the liquid form, or want a certain flavor added by the pharmacy, no. If they can only take pills with vanilla pudding they better get used to whatever I can find in the fridge, or bring the pudding with them. If you come to a hospital there is a good chance we'll give you meds. If a 2 minute pill pass becomes a 15 minute gourmet meal and counselling session I'm just not buying that swallowing is your primary problem.

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You swallow a chunk of food bigger than any pill any medical professional could ever throw at you every time you eat. If you can't handle taking a bite out a hamburger and swallowing it, then I can buy that you're having difficulty with swallowing a pill.

Otherwise, get over it or chew it.

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