Swallow me not!
The pill on the right - if I have to swallow a pill, that is the perfect size.
The pill in the center - it's a major challenge for me to swallow whole. It's an extended-release formulation - it's designed to be swallowed whole, and then it disintegrates gradually. I did not realize this until recently, so I had been chewing it (at least to make it easier to swallow). I have recently made an attempt to swallow it whole. I succeed maybe two out of every five tries. I can swallow it if I don't think about it too much.
The pill on the right - nah, not happening. It's huge and fat and too much for baby Tommy.
Some may call me a wussy. Some may think it's all in my head.
Maybe. It might be all or in part psychological. But I do think there is at least a possibility of an esophagus issue. I know that my Dad, particularly later in life, had a lot of swallowing issues. I know that it takes me longer to eat a meal than Alison and Benjamin - I am typically taking smaller bites and chewing more (they recommend this if you're trying to lose weight - HA! I sure fooled them!).
This huge pill is what was given to me as my first diabetes medicine. It's my own fault, because I think they were trying to accommodate my desire for a staggered effect rather than hitting all at once. Little did I know that "extended release" is a pharmacy code for BIG A-- HORSE PILL!
The diabetes medicine is costly (at least for our budget). I couldn't find any gimmicks or discounts to help. I bought it and did not see the pill size until days later.*
I have been in contact with a special team provided through the insurance company that will help manage diabetes and provide support in obtaining certain diabetes medications. The diabetes horsepill I got is not on the list. I do have that list, and I am hoping that my primary care can find one suitable.
Since I need to change medicine anyway, I have not pushed myself to swallow it. If it was on the list and the primary care people insisted it was the best choice, I would try to figure out a way to swallow it. I have been told that greasing it with applesauce or something similar would help. I'm not sure if I could do it, but I would at least try if I had to.
I know that if my blog were anything that people responded to anymore**, I would get people trying to present ways to get over the psychological barrier. Sort of like when I blogged about how much gnats loved me.
I appreciate that, and I may have to deal with it at some point. How real the small esophagus is is harder for me to say.
I will keep you updated!
*There may be some issues with stomach reactions, and I was trying to pick a time when I would be home to deal with any of that.
**Usually, pets and family are a sure thing to get at least a few likes from Facebook, but my recent post filled with cute pictures of our new kitten, Scout, got ZERO response. Facebook and its algorithms are not my friend.
PPS
Grammarly is out, for whatever reason. Plus, I'm trying to do this around a keyboard-loving kitten, so please forgive the plethora of errors. I will fix it when I can.
It is possible to get meds for free from the pharma company. I didn't think I was eligible, but there is one I've been getting for several years now, even though I'm over the income limits.
ReplyDeleteI found a "a coupon" that would allow me to get the horsepill basically for free, but the pharmacy assistant told me I couldn't use it because I had government insurance. I do not. Not even Medicare Part B, C or D.
ReplyDelete