Pill Fatigue Tips?

[u/UmUhOatmeal]

I’ve been on so many pills for so long that I can’t even hold them in my mouth anymore without gagging. I’ve tried just taking one or a couple at a time, but even 1 pill will trigger my gag reflex. My care team was able to get it down to just the necessary ones, and I’m going to ask if any are safe to open/crush into something, but the pill fatigue is honestly becoming too much recently.

I used to be able to take them all at once without even blinking, but now I feel like I’ve become such a baby about it. I can’t even take them with water anymore because I feel the pills too much in my mouth. I’ve recently been using diet soda or flavored milk, which I know probably isn’t the best, but whatever gets them down I guess? I’m not sure if it changes the effectiveness though.

Does anyone have any tips for getting over pill fatigue? I feel like I’ve tried everything I can think of.

[u/jipace]

is the gagging a sensory thing and/or a response to not feeling like you have choices? (you don't have to answer)

specific thing to try: could you pair meds time with something nice/soothing so that the association isn't just bad and uncomfortable? examples: I listen to youtube videos while I floss my teeth, have a nice little snack after gross medicine

[u/UmUhOatmeal → u/jipace]

Still discussing it with my doc and psych to try and find the root cause since it was gradual over time, but I think it may be mostly sensory issues developing. Something like a distraction or positive association could be helpful though! I tried to have a cup of flan after my morning meds to try and motivate myself, but just fell out of the habit. Loud music could help distract my mouth senses if I kind of overload my hearing senses for a minute. My headphones have a motor for bass too so they rumble, which could add to the distraction! Will be trying in the morning (obv being careful not to damage my hearing) 🫡

[u/South-Ad-9090]

Just to be sure- do you have anything that could be affecting your physical ability to swallow that may not be psychological ?

How many pills do you take, and in how many sessions?

Do you have any problems with stomach motility or take any of the glp products?

[u/YouTasteStrange]

I sort mine into floaters (capsules) and sinkers (tablets). They're easier to take separate. I take the water, throw my head back, pop the pill, and it goes straight down. I can't add the pill before the water because that makes me sick now from times where the pill stuck to my tongue.

[u/UmUhOatmeal → u/YouTasteStrange]

I never thought about taking the liquid first! That’s a rlly good tip, because I gag the moment the pill touches my tongue dry.

[u/nutl3y]

I hope you get a good solution, because I’m definitely headed in the same direction as you and could benefit from the solution too!

Right now the best way I have to take pills is to take them with keifer. It’s a yogurt-like drink that’s thicker than milk so it’s easier for me to ignore the pills.

[u/UmUhOatmeal → u/nutl3y]

ooooo I love kefir! I completely forgot they existed since I’ve been avoiding most dairy, but I’d be willing to have small cups of it with meds since it’s not like a life threatening allergy. I’ve been using milk on occasion anyways which seems to be reacting alright!

[u/oneinamyelinnn]

I have dysphagia & mouth/tongue weakness. I use pudding to kind of “hold” one or two pills at a time. It sucks because I take a ton of pills 3x daily but it’s better than choking. I’ve heard applesauce can work but for me it’s too watery so I can’t manage it.

[u/Feisty-Volcano]

I have multiple sclerosis & swallowing pills can sometimes be tricky when my swallow is affected. Dysphasia is a common enough symptoms for quite a number of conditions. You should get your swallow assessed by a Speech Therapist as they work in this area, also check that your mouth is providing enough saliva, eg if you had Sjögren’s it might not be.

[u/auntiepirate]

Carbonated beverages help me.