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Hard to Swallow - Literally!

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Posted 3/18/2014 10:12 AM (GMT -5)
Ok, so my LLMD has added yet another abx to my routine. I'm now on Bactrim (I think I brought this up in another post)

These things are so big they could choke a horse!

I'm having anxiety issues about taking all my meds, there are so many of them, by the time I get 1/2 way through I'm literally gagging, sometimes ready to throw up. There's just too many, the past 2 days, I cannot bring myself to take them because the thought of the gagging and vomitting makes me anxious...

I know this sounds ridiculous, I just can't help it.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to make this easier?
Posted 3/18/2014 10:16 AM (GMT -5)
Sounds like you are on too many meds. If it's working against you it is not working for you. There is a balance. Have you tried telling your dr how you feel about this whole thing? To me it sounds like it's time to back up on some things.
Posted 3/18/2014 10:20 AM (GMT -5)
Lymebabe,

It's mostly supplements, the abx alone is only 8 pills per day, which I think would be a breeze, except for the size of the Bactrim!

I haven't talked to my doc, this just started and I don't see him again until May, I have a phone call scheduled for April. I could try calling the office and see what they say.

I had to cancel my appt with my LLND because of financial reasons, so I couldn't talk to her either, because she is the one who supplies my supplements.

I wonder if there is anything out there that combines everything I'm on, to make the intake less... Gonna have to research.

Thanks for the response.
Posted 3/18/2014 10:36 AM (GMT -5)
MrsPallas,

I am the same way. I do these herbs at night before bed. I've been doing them for about 6 months now (I had improvement on them but they definitely did not get rid of all my symptoms). I have about a month and a half left and I literally start gagging just thinking about taking them.

I have to take 9 pills total with Cilantro water. I literally can taste the pills/cilantro in my mouth all day long, I just hate them SO much. By the time I'm at about the 5th pill, it takes everything I have to keep them down.

I decided to take a week or two off from them because I was literally obsessively worrying all through the day about taking these pills at night.
Posted 3/18/2014 10:43 AM (GMT -5)
Elleon,

I almost start gagging looking at the bottles. I know I need what's in them, but OMG. I need to find a way over this hurdle.

I'm just a huge mess in general lately *sigh*
Posted 3/18/2014 11:11 AM (GMT -5)
I'm not sure if it's advisable, but the only way I can get down the 30+ pills a day is to put them in yogurt or applesauce.
Posted 3/18/2014 11:11 AM (GMT -5)
What are you on? Still sounds like too much stuff! This is a marathon and you need to be able to keep going in order to get where you want to go. If the treatment is over your head and you can't manage you will not get there.
Posted 3/18/2014 11:29 AM (GMT -5)
I just noticed the other day in the drug store a product called something like pill glide which is supposed to help you swallow pills.

I too am taking Bactrim which I refer to as a "horse" pill. I take a lot of supplements and vitamins as well. Whenever I have the choice I choose the softgels simply because I can get them down easier.
Posted 3/18/2014 3:49 PM (GMT -5)
I can swallow an enormous amount of pills just in 1 attempt - lol - like a plughole - lol.

If I start thinking about it, it's can become more difficult.

Have you tried doing some deep breathing exercices before taking your meds? It might help with the anxiety and cramping up?? It has an almost immediate calming effect. Just an idea...
Posted 3/18/2014 5:09 PM (GMT -5)
Lyme babe,

I am on tindamax, azithromycin, plaquenil, Bactrim for abx. Supplements are magnesium, vit d, multi vitamin, probiotic, Japanese knotweed, cats claw, and artemisinin, I also take medcaps dpo. This doesn't include the drops for detox....

Marie, I'll try the deep breathing! And I can't believe you can swallow that many!!!

Flower gal, I'm gonna look into that!

And
Posted 3/18/2014 8:09 PM (GMT -5)
Hi MrsPallas :) hope all is well. I also take bactrim ds as per our LLMD. Not like this will help but I take that pill with 5 others and throw them all in my mouth and swallow at once! You should give it a try hehe.
Posted 3/18/2014 10:02 PM (GMT -5)
My dad is in a nursing home for rehab and they give the pills with applesauce to make them go down easier.
Posted 3/19/2014 6:45 AM (GMT -5)
cppoly,

I'm getting there, I think... Our doc has made some changes in my treatment, going after the co-infections.

I hope that you like him, and that things are going good for you too!
Posted 3/19/2014 7:40 AM (GMT -5)
My daughter takes Bactrim twice a day. I cut the tablet in half and give it to her in the am/pm. Her round pill has a score down the middle- where I cut it.

My daughter is also on dorxy. I use a pill cutter and chop it into quarters and put them into empty capsule shells. The shells come in different sizes.

Post Edited (emylgal) : 3/19/2014 7:13:06 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/19/2014 8:54 PM (GMT -5)
The only thing I can think of to make things easier is to get a liquid D3 vitamin. I just put 2 drops on my toast every morning and avoid another pill.
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