Battle Of The Pills

[pat2604]

I have just won a battle after a long fight!

My prescription tablets - well three of them have got smaller and smaller over the years. Two of them are so small that I struggle to get into the foils, then to get them out the foils and then struggle to pick them up. The other four are slightly larger. I have just boxed them up for the next week, and I am worn out. My fingers are arthritic and shake!! And then I drop the pills and can't bend down to pick them up!! I then have to worry if the dog will pick them up!!

Just phoned the pharmacy and the dispensary at the surgery to ask if this can be done for me. Apparently only if I am assessed by some organisation in my home. Surely lots of people must find this a problem, especially those who are elderly or have disabilities.

I just don't understand why they make pills so tiny and I mean really tiny!

Hubby would do it for me, but his big man hands can't handle the pills and besides that he might get it all wrong and poison me.

End of rant (which is why its in Chatterbank and not B&S)

Fed up and worn out!!

[pat2604]

Naomi and Anne -thanks. Tweezers are a good idea Anne. I can use them.

But should tablets be manufactured at this size.

[naomi24]

I guess they make them small to enable people to swallow them more easily.

[Sqad]

Lofty, it is indeed a problem as you say.
Why not discuss it with your pharmacist with the suggestion that the tablets are removed from the old foil and delivered in a carton, tray or box.
This facility is available.

[dannyk13]

My problem with these mini tablets is that when in my mouth and I take a drink of water it just washes over the tablet which is then left stuck to my tongue or the back of my mouth.

[THECORBYLOON]

SQAD the question suggests that option but states "Apparently only if I am assessed by some organisation in my home."

[Hopkirk]

Get a plastic funnel and aim it into a pot or dish.

Pierce the foil with nail scissors and tip the pill into the funnel.

[pat2604]

Great replies from Vulcan and Corby and Sqad. Phoning up the Pharmscy again today.

[pixie374]

Lottie, it may be different areas, but nobody needs an assessment here. The GP asks the pharmacist to put them into dossetts, which is much easier.

[bednobs]

i am with you all the way here lottie- my hand disability means i have all the same problems as you. In olden days when they used togive you tablets in a bottle rather than in foil strips it was a lot easier, and i had a standing instruction at the chemist that they would do non-childproof tops.
I am a nail biter, but i have deliberately grown one of my nails in order that i can open the packets

[pat2604]

Lots of good andwers
keep coming in. Thanks. Best answer to Hopkirk.

[pastafreak]

That tiny size would be ideal for me...I hate tablets and gag on large ones. But I can understand the difficulty if they are impossible to pick up.

[pat2604]

Off to find nail scissors and a dish!

And yes it's true those tiny pills get stuck in the mouth even when drinking a considerable amount of water!

[anneasquith]

Try Gin lottie !!!

[pixie374]

The tiny ones are the worst! Does it help in a teaspoon of yoghurt or jam?