Drug crusher | Arthritis Information

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Tammi Scholthauzer in Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis says some people are affected in their vocal chords with hoarseness and trouble swallowing.  I'm one of them.  I can't swallow pills.  Local health food store has drug divider/crusher so you can divide a pill or crush into powder.   Buying a pill that is double your dose then dividing it can be less expensive, if intrested.

 
Anyone else not a pill swallower?
 
Jan
I don't have problems with swallowing, but I am hoarse a lot.  I'm a teacher and I have always attributed my hoarseness to talking all day.....maybe it's RA related....
 
humm, something to think about.
I used to gag trying to get all the meds down but not any more.  Are you saying it gets stuck?  Or gagging?
 
Hugs,
 
Pip
Gagging.  This has always been a problem.
 
Jan
Hayley-
 
I've been a teacher also.
 
Schlotzhauer recommends seeing an ear, nose and throat doc.  Or maybe a speech therapist.  However, if it's not a major problem you might not worry about it.
 
Jan
Definitely see an ENT if you are having problems swallowing!  Don't just blame it on RA!!!!!! I'm ok swallowing, although when the Imuran gets stuck in the back of my mouth, it starts dissolving instantly and tastes unbearably bad.  Now I make sure not to swallow both Imuran at the same time and it's a little better.  The rest of my pills, even the large ones, are generally alright.
 
I am more hoarse than I used to be, and I've noticed my voice is lower, mainly since I started taking pain medication (years ago, with fibro but before RA).  Hubby is kind enough to say that makes my voice sexy.
 
As for splitting pills, just remember not to split up capsules or anything with a special coating...sometimes it is for time release and other times it is to make sure that the medication dissolves at the right point.  If in doubt, ask your pharmacist.
Some meds especially if they are extended release should not be cut or crushed make sure to ask your Dr or pharmacist before you do it.  don't assume that throat and swallowing problems are a result of RA..there are far more common problems that affect the throat.    get to an ENT and get a scope of the throatAfter making sure there's no physical problems with your swallowing or throat, have you tried using a pudding, apple sauce or some sort of baby food you like to help you swallow it?  We use that for elders that have problems with swallowing to take their pills.I used to have problems with swallowing the Prometrium pill, which is small, round and rubbery. I wouldn't have been able to crush that.  I had to switch to another hormone and it was terrible.  Fortunately, several months after starting the RA drugs, I was able to go back to the Prometrium.  I also seem to be choking on food less often.  Seems like it's related to the disease process, but who knows?  Could be a coincidence.  The suggestions to see an ENT doc is a good one.  I'm O.K. taking a pill ground into powder or a chewable.
 
Regarding medications for the elderly, an Occupational Therapist friend worked at the V.A. hospice in west L.A.  Many residents who were given medications were often nauseated from them.  The problem was probably less problematic than the nausea side effect that is part of so many medications.   DON'T PUSH DRUGS ON THE ELDERLY THAT CAUSE NAUSEA.
My opinion.
 
Jan
If you consistently have trouble swallowing your meds, AND you've been checked out by an ENT, then make sure you talk with your pharmacist.  You might have to find a compounding pharmacist who can create alternate dosing forms. The drug crusher works fine for cranberry juice pills.  Those are the only pills I take.
 
Jan

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