To be staring at a tablet like it is a mountain...

[BrittaPerry]

I really struggle with tablets. It took a lot of work on my part to get to the point where I can now take my nightly medication (two flattish rounded square pills, largest one 9mm across, smaller one 6mm across) but tonight I started my period so need to take this new period medication and it is HUGE. Oval shapes, the biggest is 2cm long.

I sometimes have to spit out my normal pills because I just can't make them go down, and even on good nights I have to kind of hit myself in the chest and stamp on the floor hard to kind of distract myself.

How on earth will I do this?

I think I am a bit odd with sensory stuff as it is, this is a nightmare.

(PS: don't tell me to just get on with it. I have been in awful pain and even kept in hospital because of this. I genuinely struggle.)

IIRC unless they are slow release or retard or long acting on them its fine to crush them.

But again if they aren't either of them stick them in a glass and pour about 30mls of hot water on them, they will break down as the water cools and once it has cooled to drinking temp swirl and down the hatch.

And this is only if they aren't slow release/retard

They are a trial run to see if my mega periods are to blame for my anemia, tiredness and joint pain. Babies are well and truly finished with so if they help the other issues I will quite happily sign up for anything that helps.

As long as it involves as little as possible of tge following:
Injections
Tablets
Anything metal touching me
Anything touching my c section scar
Anything remaining inside any part of my body
Anything lightly bushing against me
Extremes of temperature

Lol, there is no hope!

I'll add one little thing, and I truly hope it comes across as the helpful and friendly way I mean it.

As well as all the physiological suggestions given (which are great), try and work on the psychological side of it too. Try and be aware of what you are telling yourself inside your mind as you take the tablet.

If you are telling yourself things like 'I can't take tablets. This is going to be awful.' Try and change those inner messages to things like "I'm going to get the hang of this. Taking tablets is easy. Everyone does it!"

Because the psychological battle is probably the biggest factor in this particular problem. I've struggled with it too! All the best!

Thanks, scared. Yes, I really think I need to do that. I know that, if I don't think about it, it is a lot easier.

I have big problems swallowing round paracetamol or even co codamol which are a bit smaller. I've no problems with mefenamic acid though because they're an easier shape to swallow. I just put them on the tip of my tongue and take a huge swig of water then swallow - they always end up pointing the right way by the time they get to the back of my mouth.

And don't tip your head back - that makes it harder to swallow them! Normal action with a large gulp of water should wash them down without you feeling them. Took me years and I still cant do round pills, I have to have everything in capsule form!

DS2 used to have a real problem about taking tablets and capsules. He now has no problem - he has to take one 400 mg tablet per day. He started by cutting the tablet with a tablet cutter and drinking it down all down with a pint of water. He now can take the whole tablet with a small glass of water.
I think he had to think it out - he had no choice but to take the medication, so he had to get himself to swallow it without it becoming a daily issue for him.

a few tips that may help.

after pill is in mouth very quickly swig liquid then tilt head forward right before you swollow.

ask pharmasist if pill can be cut or disoloved.

cover pill in butter or pate,

if you are very good at the 'brave face' when dc's are about try taking it then.

weird i know but if you have a dh/p prop yourself up on pillows get him/her to go down on you whilst you take it ohhhh just noticed its period related so dh/p may not be keen so try a vibe. i know its way out there but if its sensory clitoral stimulation messes with senses and hey if it dosnt work its a good excuse for a fiddle.

bite a lemon first them whilst your doing the cats bum face wack tablet.

ive now run out of any usefull surgestions

I think it helps to use warm juice not cold water. Cut up or break up larger tablets. Or if capsules cut and add the liquid to a drink.

A last resort method is to grind the tablet in a pestle and mortar and mix with jam or marmite and spread on bread and eat. This method with marmite was a life saver for my toddlers.

I think you do learn to do it. I have to take 4 meds at night and I can take them all simultaneously with one gulp. I think I just got so bored after 10 years of taking them individually and it is possible to learn to do it.

OP, lamotrigine is available as a dispersible tablet. It would be worth asking your doc to see if they can prescribe this formulation for you as you can chew them, disperse in a little water or swallow whole.

do you have a DH or P or even kids? The way I taught myself to swallow tablets (and still do sometimes) is to put the tablet in my mouth and take a gulp of water as someone else rings the door or phones.. I used to gulp/swallow then reach or run to answer it as its such an ingrained response :)

Suggest fizzy drink as it creates sensation in the rest of your mouth so there is less focus in the pill. Also i always start with pill under my tongue then you don't taste it at all.

Endometrial Ablation is an op under general and then that's it nada nothing in you or touching, they do it vaginally so no going near your scar etc etc

Have they checked out your Vit D levels?

I presume so - I will go back this week for the results of the third set of blood tests. Sigh.

(And twice now I have melted the pills in sugary water and knocked it back in bits, alternating with lots of squash and chocolate raisins. This seems to be working :-) )