T:Not taking her medication	Q:Hi all, My mom has become very difficult in swallowing her pills. She has the ability to swallow glasses of water while keeping the medicine in her mouth. She always lets it melt in her mouth and in the end chews them up before finally swallowing them. I am totally exhausted in trying to make her understand that she needs to take them whole since they are combo drug so it can't be split up in order for them to work effectively. One of the meds has an orange coloring or that's always the tip off. Her tongue and mouth ends up bright orange and the bitter taste doesn't seem to bother in in the least. I get so angry that I just yell and yell and make her gulp down the water.  I asked her <professional_practitioner> to prescribe liquid forms of the meds but she said they are not available and also even if they were she thinks by giving them liquid the dosage will never be right because you serve it on a spoon where you can always have too much or too little. She had suggested I have her take the medicine with apple sauce but that's pretty amateur for my mom. She just swallows the applesauce and still keep the pills in. She never reveals that they are still in her mouth. She has an excellent way to hide them behind her gum or under her tongue so when you tell her open her mouth it looks like it's empty. Whenever I ask where is the medicine she will give a smart alack answer of at the pharmacy Please help. Any suggestions?	A:Which medications is she on?


A:Parkinson medication - <medicine> & <medicine> Alzheimer medication - <medicine> High Blood Pressure medication - <medicine> medication - <medicine>The only ones she has problems swallowing has been <medicine> and <medicine>. They are both quite large and even though I break apart <medicine> for her she still does not swallow it. <medicine> must be swallowed as one pill because it contains <num> meds in one. I always wondered why pharmaceutical companies make certain pills so BIG. Who on earth can swallow them? I threw out my nature made fish oil supplement after getting it stuck in my throat on more than one occasion.  


A:<medicine> is available in different prescription strengths and can be taken up to <num> times a day. You can always ask the <professional_practitioner> about a lower mg because the pill will be smaller. She would have to take more of them but at least that may be an option. You can also ask to have her switched to another cholesterol med that is smaller. My Gma takes <medicine> and the pill is pretty small. <medicine> can come in liquid form and if you get one of those dosing syringes,  you won't have to worry about over or under dosing which may happen if you use a spoon.  


A:I'm surprised she's not on <medicine>, or <medicine> along with the <medicine>, as that's how it is usually done. 


A:Yes we tried both with <medicine> but they seem to block her PD meds from being absorbed. She would shake more and have slower movements. Anyhow,  any advice on how I can get her to swallow her pills?Here's something else. I purchased CVS brand of adult diapers. Last night my mom leaked from the sides so I still had to clean up a mess that she would normally have from wearing just her underwear. She often gets up in the middle of the night to pee but gets distracted with things and does not make it to the toilet and pees standing doing whatever she gets busy doing. Last night it was pushing a chair around her room. Is depends the only reliable brand? They are pretty expensive! 


A:They make adult rubber underpants that have a tighter elastic band. They're kind of hard to find though. But if you can find them,  put them over her store brand diapers. It might help keep things from leaking.  As for the pills,  I am still thinking on that one but if I come up with an idea I will let you know! LOL


A:i used Assurance from WalMart.  They were better than depends for me. 


A:Thanks,  I'll go this weekend and check it out.  


A:Hi, . apple souse - actually always works in helping seniors to swallow there medicine,  but it looks like u mom just doesn't wanna take them,  whether u like it or not,  and finds any possible way to trick u,  and to make u upset. but she doesn't mean it,  it's part of her illness,  which requires lots of patins as we all know. I was taking care of an elderly man <time_period> ago,  who didn't like the meds at all,  and actually what worked with him,  is that I crashed his meds,  then I would take a cold insure,  pour some of it out and put the meds there whit-out him seeing,  then shake it very good and give it to him. he ofcours didn't finished it all at once,  so I would come back in few min to offer it again. or u can crashed them and just mix with pudding,  or something else,  so she doesn't see them there. good luck


A:<name> thanks for the suggestion and welcome to Healingwell btw! This works for a lot of medications but some of the meds that <name>'s mother is on is more or less time released and crushing them is not an option. It can cause more harm than good.  


A:Good Morning! I usually post on the fibromyalgia forum. My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's over <time_period> ago. We have been playing this game with her that long,  her refusal to take meds,  etc. That is exactly what it is,  a game and as frustrating as it is,  you really can't blame them,  it is the disease. It causes them to become so child-like yet if we treat them like children,  they very much resent it. I realize you weren't asking me for this,  you want an answer. I just felt compelled to write to let you know you are not alone in this frustration. My mom lived with me for only <time_period> and I couldn't take it any longer,  the stress was simply too much and my health really crashed. She went on to live with my sister for <time_period> and is now in <institution>,  where she is really very happy,  thank goodness! I think what your mom is looking for is someone to play with,  to tease and she's found it in you. This really pushes your buttons and that's what she wants,  it is amusing her. Maybe try giving the medications and walking away? Not saying a word about whether she took them or not? I wonder if that would work? Believe me,  I feel your frustration. good luck,  <name>
