Anxiety when swallowing pills - Anxiety Message Board

grassroots311 · 03-27-2005, 11:21 PM

I have a huge problem taking any kind of pills. When I attempt to, my heart starts racing, my throat tenses up, and I end up gagging before getting the pill down. SOMETIMES, if it's a very small gelcap type of pill, I can relax enough to swallow it fine.

I'm always afraid to go to the doctor for anything, out of fear of being prescriped medication to swallow.

Can anyone help me out there?

opalfruit · 03-28-2005, 02:24 AM

I have a very similar problem to you. Part of my anxiety is not being able to take medication. At the moment I have to take iron tablets for anemia and every time I take one I have a panic attack afterwards. It is getting easier, but have been taking them for about 6 weeks now. I can only take half the dose because I am too scared to take the full dose.

Sorry I can't offer any advice, but you are not alone.

hry33 · 03-28-2005, 12:44 PM

pill phobias are fairly common, liquid versions of many meds are available ask a pharmacist, also suppositorys are available for some

some cope by crushing the tablet up into a powder and maxing it up with peanut butter or similar
when swallowing a pill it helps a lot to tilt the head well back and stand up for a while