I am absolutely desperate trying to deal with all the tablets. As I have aphobia about swallowing tablets I am managing to swallow Bisoprolol, and Ramipril and take aspirin dispersible.
I have to crush Atorvastatin and Clopidogrel and I dread having to take them. It is causing me untold dread each day.
Also dealing with the enormanity of
having a heart attack and emergency
surgery four weeks ago I am really stressed.
I would guess that seeing a therapist would be a great help. I do, to cope with anxiety. Regarding the pills, it can seem daunting. Have you told your doctors about your difficulties with swallowing?
It's worth asking if those medications can be dispensed in liquid form, if you didn't want to go down the route of overcoming the phobia.
Hi, if you like yogurt, have you thought about trying putting the tablet in a spoonful of yogurt. And having a go at swallowing it that way. Worth a try.
Hi TreetopI am so sorry that you are feeling so stressed by this.
Please do discuss this with your GP as they are there to help you with every aspect of what you are going through.
Atorvastatin does also come in chewable tablet form as you are not alone in not being able to swallow tablets. There is also a liquid form of a slightly different statin - Simvastatin - which you could discuss with your GP or cardiology team.
Clopidogrel also comes in liquid form, as they know there are many many people who cannot swallow tablets.
The fear and stress you are now suffering is the mind's natural reaction to a trauma. I too had the same fears as you are having when I was brought home from hospital, but talking with others and people in the know was a huge help in my recovery process. Discussing your fears with someone who can put your mind at rest by answering all your questions and allaying your fears will go a long way toward your recovery and peace of mind.
Daily life will get back to pretty much normal, but please dont stress on your own.
wishing you well and stress free x
Try "hiding" each pill in a teaspoon full of fruit puree (the ones they sell in the baby food section are ideal) or yoghurt if you like it, I used to do this for my my mother in law, as she like you, simply could not swallow pills. As for the crushed ones, if puree or yoghurt don't work try mixing it up in some horribly sweet jam! Good luck.P.S. maybe ask some one else to pop them in the spoons of puree for you, giving you pill-less spoonfuls as well, you will never notice - if you don't watch!
My Gp said I could chew tablets but not capsule. So I do that .Some tablets are available as .melt on the tongue.One of mine is like this.
Much the same problem for me swallowing tablets! What works for me in the morning is having a mouthful of (masticated) cereal which I am ready to swallow and then just pop the tablets into my mouth and into the 'mix'. No more chewing mind, just swallow!
I struggled to swallow the smallest of tabs individually but can now swallow the lot in one go!
I have problems swallowing large tablets so chew one or 2 grapes and pop the pill in and swallow. You don't feel the tablet hidden in the food. Don't drink water with the grapes but have a sip after its down.
I can only speak for my husband and his problem with Atorvastatin 80mg which looks the size of a boiled egg!! He was taken off clopidogrel 6 weeks after his quad bypass.
I think someone said to crush the tablets you have trouble swallowing. I still crush hubby's Atorvastatin and mix it with a spoon of honey and this is 3 and a half years later!!
Good luck and all the very best. Jan xxx
Hi Handel, I hope this note finds you well. Was your husband put on an alternative to Clopidogrel, only asking as I had the same bypass and have to take Clopidogrel for a year. Many thanks, Judi
Hi Judy.No, Clopidogrel was stopped completely and 75mg aspirin replaced it. His statin tablet was changed to an easy swallow type so that's sorted the problem out.
He should be due for a review soon I think.
Take care. Jan xxxx
If you are dreading taking your meds that much then you need to speak with your GP or nurse.
I too have trouble swallowing pills, I find either yogurt, custard or weetabix mushed up with warm milk /porridge help to get them down.
No one really “ likes” taking tabs eh? I have 9 to take one of which is an absolute whopper . I was interested to read somewhere a couple of months ago that most people make the mistake of putting their heads right back in order to ‘ help’ swallow , but actually the best way is to keep your chin forward in a normal position and take a large gulp of water ( I use a water bottle which I suck through ) and I have found the advice to be correct! I take all 9 tablets in one gulp . Ps my dentist told me I have a very small mouth ……just thought I would clear that up! 😝😝👍
Hi it says on the NHS WEB SITE ON RAMIPRIL that it is okay to open the capsule of ramipril and put the contents it a glass of water or lemon juice [it dissolves straight away] I take mine this way , there is hardly any taste to it at all . hope this helps you .
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An Alternative to taking tablets.
stomach protection tablets 
