I've started having to take tablets
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339548)
Rockingham, Australia
February 2, 2024 5:38pm CST
I have been having prolia injections which are supposed to help prevent osteoporosis (porous bones).
Before I was due for my latest injection, I had a blood test which showed my Vitamin D and calcium levels are borderline. So I now have to boost these levels by taking tablets for three weeks or so before I have another blood test. If the levels have come back I can go back to having the prolia injections.
I wouldn’t mind so much but I have quite a bit of trouble swallowing tablets and the calcium ones are quite big. I’ve been cutting them in half but that means six pieces to swallow to get the amount of calcium the doctor wants me to have. I take three at a time but maybe I’ll need to take two at a time three times a day. It keeps feeling as though they’re stuck in my neck. I’ve always had a problem with swallowing pills although I’m better than I used to be. Mostly I take them with a mouthful of food. The joys of getting old - NOT. 
28 people like this
28 responses
@AmbiePam (92474)
• United States
3 Feb
I identify with that so much, and thought of doing a discussion about it. About three months ago, I looked at all the pills I had to take that morning, thought looking at them made me want to throw up…and then I did. After never having trouble, my body said enough. Ever since then, I gag every time I go to take a pill. It’s a real problem, I understand. But like you, I understand it is necessary.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339548)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Feb
Have you tried putting them in the middle of a mouthful of food? Most food works for me if it's a bit 'bulky' I guess would be the best way to describe it. Most biscuits, cake, bread and butter - I get a mouthful ready to swallow, pop the pill in the middle of the food, think hard about 'opening my throat' then swallow.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (69370)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Feb
Have you told this to your doctor? Some supplements can be found in gummies, or you might see about crushing the pills. Ever since my husband's stroke, I have to crush his pills.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (69370)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Feb
@JudyEv Trust me, I understand. I was aware of the size of the pills before George's stroke, but now that I've had to crush them I'm even more aware. He tried to take the tablets out of my hand whole, but I had to stop him. I don't want him choking.
2 people like this
More ice cream seems a great idea!
Doctors never suggest natural remedies, they always go with medications, more chemicals in our poor body.@JudyEv (339548)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Feb
I'm amazed about the D deficiency too but here, everyone covers up because of the risk of skin cancer. I eat quite a lot of dairy products. I guess I could eat more ice-cream! lol
I think I must need more of vitamin D and calcium than can be provided just with food or the doctor would have said. I'm hoping once I get my levels up, maybe I can go off the tablets.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (16382)
• Raurkela, India
3 Feb
I think you can take yogurt in summer and guava after your lunch to increase the calcium content in the body and Sun rays are the best source of vitamin D.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339548)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Feb
@aninditasen I'm sure you're right. I'm hoping the levels will be better when I go back in a few weeks.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (16382)
• Raurkela, India
4 Feb
@JudyEv You have to take medicine if required but along with medicine if you take these food your calcium level will increase.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89831)
• Arvada, Colorado
3 Feb
Oh sorry Judy to hear you will be having to take these. What is the prolia injections?
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67775)
• United States
3 Feb
Could you get chewable vitamins instead?
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67775)
• United States
3 Feb
@JudyEv — I use chewable calcium (that has vitamin D in it). You’re right, those big pills are a pain. I have to take one (amoxicillin antibiotic), and that’s enough “big pill” for me for a day!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339548)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Feb
@FourWalls I hadn't heard about chewable calcium. I'll remember that if these start getting too much for me.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41392)
• United States
2 Feb
I'm sorry to hear that, Judy. I hope your levels will come back up. It's funny, but I have no problem swallowing large pills, even several small ones together, considering my issue of not being able to eat at times.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41392)
• United States
4 Feb
@JudyEv I can't see how anyone can swallow pills without water!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339548)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Feb
@Ronrybs Most in Australia are a bit paranoid about skin cancer so they really cover up. I think our ozone layer is thinner than in the northern hemisphere. In France and Germany, few people were rearing hats which really surprised me. Children in our schools are not allowed out at recess periods unless they're wearing hats.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178131)
• United States
3 Feb
I take two calcium tablets and one Vitamin D3 for my bones and also for a Vitamin D deficiency. I'm sorry you have trouble taking your pills. I take about 16 pills a day. Getting old is certainly no fun!!! Have a good weekend.
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@JudyEv (339548)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Feb
@LindaOHio We're all so different to each other in so many ways.
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@LindaOHio (178131)
• United States
4 Feb
@JudyEv Hubs has a lot of trouble taking big pills. They don't seem to bother me.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37227)
•
4 Feb
I have to agree with you that those calcium pills are huge. I just gag trying to get them down. They do go down better with a hot drink for me than they do with a cold one, but I know we are all different.
Getting older is not for wussies! 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339548)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Feb
@MarieCoyle I'm cutting them in half.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37227)
•
4 Feb
@JudyEv
I'm not sure why they go down easier with a hot drink for me, but they sure do. I don't think I can take those huge Calcium pills with a mouthful of food, they seem enormous to me!
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47274)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
4 Feb
I'll be taking macrobid for the next 6 days... they look like bumble bees (black and yellow) and almost as big.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (19912)
• United States
6 Feb
I also have trouble swallowing big pills. I take multivitamins and I had switched to take gummy ones because the tablet ones I was taking sometimes get stuck. But now I'm taking tablets again, but these go down better.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26665)
• Singapore
3 Feb
Calcium levels tend to drop especially for women after a certain age.
And it is not that effective trying to boost them.
So doctors advise the best way is to moderate our routine and put less stress on our bones.
The older we get, more care is needed.
1 person likes this
@lazydaizee (6735)
• United Kingdom
4 Feb
I know what you mean because I have always had trouble with swallowing tablets. It would be much easier if they could make this medication in a liquid form. I hope the tablets work for you.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339548)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Feb
Thanks. I hope they work too. Apparently you can get chewable calcium so I might suss that out one day.
@Butterfingers (66583)
• India
8 Feb
Nobody likes taking these pills but sometimes we have to and as we grow old we need to take these because most people don't take enough fruits and veggies so they face vitamin deficiency
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