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Difficulty swallowing pills and capsules and COVID-19
I have some problems with my esophagus, and am unable to swallow regular size pills and capsules. When I need to take a medication, I pray it can be compounded into very small capsules. If I get COVID-19, I won't be able to take Paxlovid, and it should not be crushed. It is also not available to be compounded. There is an experimental inhaled medication that I wish were an option, but large trials haven't been done yet. My question is, have you had COVID-19 and successfully treated it with something other than Paxlovid?
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purplehibiscus, Yes. Z-Pac (Antibiotic), Dexamethasone (Steroid) & Tussionex Prescription Cough Syrup. I also
take Emergence-C or Vitamin C , Vitamin D & Zinc when I had COVID both times. I do try and take these supplements on a regular basis as well.
Praying for you. Blessings.....
@covidstinks2023, thank you. I am guessing the Z-Pack and Dexamethasone would also be things I can't swallow. Or are they tiny?
@purplehibiscus try swallowing with your head down (looking down at the floor, not bending over). I have had difficulty swallowing for many years, and this method works every time for me, with any size pill or capsule.
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1 Reaction@rashida Thank you. I put my head down when swallowing very small capsules, I also take them with a bit of food instead of water. But for regular size pills and capsules it hasn't worked.
They stretched my esophagus until it burst in a spot. I have experienced choking on my own saliva, trouble swallowing pills and muscle fatigue so severe that i couldnt finish chewing a mouth full of food and had to spit it out.
@rashida this has been my go to method for 20 yrs to stop hiccuping. It works. Not sure why.
@purplehibiscus The z-pac and the Dexamethasone both are small tablets. Not sure if
you could cut them in half and then swallow each half or note. Your primary or pharmacist
could tell you the answer to that.
I am curious. Have they ever dilated (stretched) your esophagus? I had to have that done
twice due to food stopping and not going down. I would think that would help you in
swallowing pills/tablets, but, I am not sure.
Blessings & Prayers.....
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1 Reaction@covidstinks2023, yes. I have had it dilated a few times. I have multiple issues going on that contribute to my swallowing difficulties.
@pdoubrava Oh, no! How awful! What was done to repair your esophagus?
So you don't have covid?Correct?I'm 72,and my swallowing has been now for around 6 months feeling 'obstructed',though it isn't.Lots of big pills and capsules I've been taking for 3 years at least.Sometimes I have to take just one or two at a time.Till I'm done.I don't think anything is wrong necessarily,just getting older?.