Pill question - ThinnerTimes

Bat Masterson · 04-25-2008, 08:34 AM

Can we have capsules? What about gel tabs? I know NSAIDS are bad, but the paper I got from my surgeon doesn't really address the pills that have the shiny plastic-ish coating. I know that pills without the coating are preferred but if capsules are my only choice, are they ok?

Dave T in SD · 04-25-2008, 01:45 PM

I take a few of these, I just cut them in half.
That way I know they will do what they need to do!

CeeCee · 04-25-2008, 02:01 PM

As long as they are not time-release, though I have heard to avoid gel tabs too. (Time release are designed for regular guts, not re-routed guts.) And check with a pharmicist before cutting any prescription pills in half.

Zenomia · 04-25-2008, 02:45 PM

I take it all, with no problem. If necessary the only gel covered meds that I take are my Advil liquid Gel, which are on hand to deal with wicked migrains. Fortunately, I don't have to take it often, but it's the only thing my Surgeon OK'd when in dire straits over a migrain. As to plastic coated pill, as long as they aren't time released, I don't see a problem. The key is to drink pleanty of fluid when taking meds to be sure they are well dissolved.

Chia · 04-25-2008, 02:46 PM

If in doubt, ask your surgeon. There was a post on here that listed all the dos and don'ts of taking meds, if I find it, I'll re direct you to it. I personally haven't had a problem with pills at any stage of the process with both regular pills/vitamins, geltabs, or fast release gel tabs like tylenol pm. Even in the early post-op days.

I think a lot of it has to do with your own body. I know a lot of people have problems taking pills (gagging, needing lots of water), one thing that has made it easier for me is to put a small bite of food in my mouth and chew it until I'm just about to swallow and then insert the pill and swallow. This way I trick my brain into thinking I'm just eating instead of choking down a pill with water. In the early post-op days did this with a bite of SF jello. Good luck!

MiladyB · 04-25-2008, 10:06 PM

Bat, capsules are fine as long as they aren't time released meds. Time released meds are usually in capsule form so you will want to check on those. You want something that is immeadiate release. You also may have some problems absorbing enteric coated meds. Those are made to break down in your small intestines and since a lot of your small intestines has been bypassed you may not absorb them as well.

I think this was the thread Chia was refering to:

Taking meds post-op. Some things you need to know!

happiness101 · 04-27-2008, 08:41 AM

I agree that you should ask your surgeon...everyone seems to have a different idea of what is acceptable. When I asked my surgeon he said that I should never take any type of gel cap as it doesn't dissolve as it's supposed to and can cause problems. He suggested I only take smaller tablets when necessary (and gave me a list of those to avoid).

MysteryMachine · 04-27-2008, 09:01 AM

Hello: I'm three months out from my RNY surgery and have lost 90 pounds. Things were going well until I started having pain in my lower abdomen. When I went to the emergency room they realized I had a kidney stone. Even though I told them I COULD NOT take pills, they sent me home with pain pills and an antibiotic (big, hard pill.) Anyway, I just about threw up everytime I had to crush one of those pills and I worried and worried that my pouch would be irritated somehow.

Three weeks later the pain became unbearable and I had kidney stone surgery. This time I was prepared and insisted that I receive NO pills, period. They sent me home with liquid meds, alright. I got a bottle of antibiotic that is pink and is chock full of sugar and sweeteners. The pain medication is simple cough syrup (acetamenephin/codeine) and is also like drinking a cup of cotton candy. I am SO sick physically from the sugar in these meds that I called the doctor and he said I had no alternatives except to go back into the hospital and be hooked up to an IV again.

I cannot believe that in this day and age and with all the information there is about Gastric Bypass surgeries being done everywhere that we are still left with no alternatives but liquid sugar or pills for our medicinal needs. Anybody care to address this?

P.S. I have several people at work who have told me that they were given liquid pain medicine that was strong and was not sweet, but even my pharmacist says that no such current medicine exists.

mistymee · 04-27-2008, 09:28 AM

Maybe call your Bariatric surgeon and detail your problems and see what advice they might have for you? If it were me that would be where I would look for help..

Good luck and hope you're feeling better soon.

sherry7 · 04-27-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysteryMachine

Hello: I'm three months out from my RNY surgery and have lost 90 pounds. Things were going well until I started having pain in my lower abdomen. When I went to the emergency room they realized I had a kidney stone. Even though I told them I COULD NOT take pills, they sent me home with pain pills and an antibiotic (big, hard pill.) Anyway, I just about threw up everytime I had to crush one of those pills and I worried and worried that my pouch would be irritated somehow.

Three weeks later the pain became unbearable and I had kidney stone surgery. This time I was prepared and insisted that I receive NO pills, period. They sent me home with liquid meds, alright. I got a bottle of antibiotic that is pink and is chock full of sugar and sweeteners. The pain medication is simple cough syrup (acetamenephin/codeine) and is also like drinking a cup of cotton candy. I am SO sick physically from the sugar in these meds that I called the doctor and he said I had no alternatives except to go back into the hospital and be hooked up to an IV again.

I cannot believe that in this day and age and with all the information there is about Gastric Bypass surgeries being done everywhere that we are still left with no alternatives but liquid sugar or pills for our medicinal needs. Anybody care to address this?

P.S. I have several people at work who have told me that they were given liquid pain medicine that was strong and was not sweet, but even my pharmacist says that no such current medicine exists.

Sorry you had to go through this. I've read here on the forum about liquid Lortab and liquid Tylenol, although I have no experience with either. Also, do you have a compounding pharmacy anywhere near you? These are pharmacists who will mix/make custom medications to meet unique patient needs. Do a google search for compounding pharmacy and you'll find lots of info about this.