How to Stop Throwing Up When Taking Medication?
Dealing with the intake of medications has always been a challenge for me, primarily due to the unpleasant taste that often leads to vomiting. During my childhood, whenever this occurred, I would take small doses and then follow them with something delicious in hopes of keeping the medication down. As I grew older and shifted to swallowing pills, things improved momentarily, with occasional gagging. However, after experiencing multiple overdoses on various medications, my ability to tolerate pills has deteriorated significantly. Initially, I faced trouble with just the gag reflex and swallowing the pills, but it escalated, resulting in more severe vomiting and difficulty in ingestion. Currently, I find it extremely hard to consume pills, often ending up vomiting several times. I have experimented with various methods to take medication, but none have proven effective. I'm at a loss for solutions and recognize the need for medication in my life. I'm also wondering if my situation is linked to past trauma and if there are ways to overcome it. I've consulted a doctor, and their response suggested that trauma might be the underlying issue, but they didn’t elaborate further on options. As a 14-year-old, I appreciate that my parents have attempted to assist, but I still find it impossible to keep the medication down.
Answers (1)
7/28/2025, 3:31:06 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re dealing with a tough situation regarding medication intake, and it's clear that both the physical and emotional aspects are playing a role. Let’s break down some strategies to help you manage this better.
Main Points:
- Difficulty swallowing pills can be related to both physical reactions (like the gag reflex) and past traumatic experiences.
- There are specific methods to make taking medication easier, along with some emotional support strategies.
Explanation: Many individuals find it challenging to swallow pills due to gag reflex sensitivity or negative experiences associated with medications. Since you've already identified that the problem has worsened over time and might be linked to past trauma, it’s important to approach this from both a physical and emotional standpoint.
Pills can taste unpleasant, and if you’ve had negative experiences taking them, your body might respond with nausea or vomiting. It’s essential to address both the sides of this issue to improve your situation.
Next Steps:
-
Change the Form of Medication:
- Talk to your healthcare provider about liquid forms of your medications or alternatives, like dissolvable tablets or patches. If it's an option, compounding pharmacies can sometimes create medications in different forms that are easier for you to take.
-
Use Behavioral Techniques:
- Gradual Exposure: Practice with something less intense, like candy or small foods, to help ease the gag reflex. Gradually work your way up to the pills.
- Deep Breathing Techniques: Before taking your medication, try slow, deep breaths to help calm your body and reduce anxiety.
-
Pairing Strategies:
- Use a 'chaser' strategy by taking a beverage or food that you enjoy right after swallowing the pill. Consider foods that are not overly sweet, as some people find they can mask the taste better.
- Some find that taking medications just before eating a meal helps.
-
Emotional Support:
- Consider talking to a therapist or counselor, especially one who specializes in trauma. They can provide coping strategies for the emotional aspects tied to your medication experience.
- Sharing your feelings with your parents or caregivers might help them understand what you're going through and how they can support you.
-
Consistent Routine:
- Create a routine for taking your medication, ideally at the same time each day, to make it a normal part of your day. This could help reduce anxiety and build a positive association.
Remember, taking small steps is crucial, and it may take some time to find what works best for you. If you continue to have difficulty or experience increased anxiety or distress, reaching out for more specialized support might be beneficial. You're certainly not alone in this, and there are solutions that can help you manage your medication more comfortably.
Related Questions
Community Forum for General Inquiries and Discussions - July 28, 2025
**Welcome to this week’s community forum, where members of the AskDocs group can engage in discussions about health, medicine, and related career paths.** This space allows you to interact not only with physicians and health experts but also with fellow community members, even if you don't have a particular health question in mind! Additionally, it's an excellent opportunity for sharing your thoughts on subreddit improvements or suggesting new features. **What types of contributions are welcome here?** * General inquiries about health topics that aren't related to specific personal symptoms or conditions. * Insights and comments on the latest developments in medical news. * Exploration of career opportunities within the medical field. * AMA-style questions directed at medical experts for open discussion. * Suggestions and feedback regarding the functionality of the AskDocs subreddit. However, please refrain from posting inquiries related to your individual health concerns in this thread. *Please report any comments that do not comply with our* [*guidelines*](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskDocs/about/rules/) *so that our moderation team can review and take appropriate action.*
Young Adult Anxious About Moving Due to Mild Cardiac Symptoms and Delay in Doctor Appointment
I’ve been experiencing mild yet concerning symptoms for nearly five months now, and my background includes severe anxiety, so it’s no surprise that I often find myself feeling unwell. However, what genuinely alarms me is how I consistently feel somewhat ill whenever I engage in any physical activity or movement. Every time I get up or walk around, I encounter feelings of lightheadedness or dizziness. For the most part, it’s less about nearly fainting and more about an overall sense of weakness and lightness in my body. The only times I’ve truly experienced near-fainting sensations—such as darkening vision and muffled hearing—were after blood draws and once during a physically exhausting activity as a child. In addition to this, I frequently notice other unusual symptoms. Sometimes, these are related to my chest, such as mild tightness on the left side, a sense of fullness, or, occasionally, slight soreness. At other times, I experience random sensations like pressure in my head or ears, a feeling that my vision is off without any actual blurriness, or mild shortness of breath—not gasping for air, but rather a sensation that my airways are tight or unusual. I’ve also considered the possibility of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), especially because my heart rate can spike significantly—over 40 beats per minute—just from standing. However, there’s inconsistency in these episodes, with my symptoms fluctuating daily, and they generally seem better in the evenings. I recognize that I’m out of shape, but even before this decline in my health, my activity levels were limited. A couple of weeks ago, I attempted a brief, gentle workout designed for seniors and found myself extremely sore afterward, with my heart rate soaring to 190. Nowadays, my exercise consists of forcing myself to do light activities like walking around my house or yard for a few minutes several times a day, engaging in low-intensity yoga, meal preparation, and personal care. Additionally, I am recovering from agoraphobia, so I haven’t been venturing out much except for scheduled exposure exercises. I’m facing a move in less than a week, and I’m genuinely frightened that the physical demands of packing will land me in the hospital. Recently, I’ve started light packing for 30 to 60 minutes daily, but I often have to stop because I feel utterly exhausted. At these times, I experience that familiar chest discomfort, where on some days I feel sharp or fleeting pains and on others merely general tightness or dull soreness in the left side of my chest, which comes and goes. Consistently, I also notice an odd sensation resembling air hunger. My oxygen saturation levels are consistently normal, which complicates my understanding of any respiratory issues I might be facing. The chest discomfort varies, but it has never escalated to something unbearable; it’s more like an annoying sensation, yet because it’s in my chest, it’s indeed worrying. I suspect these symptoms correlate with my ongoing anxiety about the move, but I haven’t been able to assist in packing as much as I would like. In recent days, while packing has slowed down since most items are packed, I anticipate a surge of stress from the move ahead. Although I’ve been less active, this persistent chest discomfort—ranging from tension in my upper chest to vague tightness on my left side—seems to have increased. I feel significantly more fatigued and disconnected than usual. This discomfort occasionally appears after physical activity but can also emerge unexpectedly. Interestingly, there were a few days where I attributed a lingering tight sensation on the left side of my chest to specific movements, which lasted for an hour or two but ultimately subsided. Every day, I become increasingly aware of how potentially risky even basic tasks have become in light of these troubling symptoms. Just today, I experienced discomfort while taking out the trash and even while playing the piano, which should be a relaxing activity. I am currently in the process of finding a new primary care physician since my last one has closed their practice, but my first appointment won’t happen for several weeks—definitely not before the move. Back in March, I had a telehealth consultation that included blood tests, which thankfully didn’t reveal any serious concerns (though there were some minor, potentially insignificant irregularities). I remain uncertain about whether my symptoms point to cardiac issues, despite having had a normal EKG and Holter monitor two years ago. Given these lingering concerns, I certainly plan to request a referral to a cardiologist when I finally meet my new doctor. I’m at a loss for what to do; I don’t want to feel helpless during the moving process, yet if my anxiety continues, I fear I won’t be able to contribute meaningfully due to worries about my safety. I’ve even considered going to urgent care before the move, although I’m unsure what more they could do beyond performing another EKG or blood tests, which may not provide definitive answers. The last thing I want is to end up in the emergency room on moving day. If it weren’t for the upcoming move, I might have opted to wait and see my new PCP, but I’m increasingly anxious to just get through that day as best as I can.
Concerns About Applying Vaseline in the Nose
As a 28-year-old male in good health and a non-smoker, I recently experienced significant nasal discharge caused by dryness. To alleviate this issue, I experimented with applying a small amount of Vaseline for three days, and it proved effective. However, I have since discovered some potential risks associated with this method. Now, I am anxious about the possibility of developing pneumonia or other health problems. Should I be concerned?
Concerns Regarding Testicular Health
As a 17-year-old male, I've been noticing a small, firm lump situated on the top side of my left testicle for about a week now; it’s roughly the same size as a Tic Tac. While touching it doesn’t cause any pain, there are moments when it feels a bit tender. Currently, I have no other symptoms, but I’m seeking advice as I’d prefer to avoid mentioning this to my mom, especially if it might resolve itself shortly.
Identifying Unexplained Spots on My Skin
Hello, I’m a 37-year-old male, and recently, I’ve started noticing some unusual spots appearing on my arms and torso. This has been going on for about a week and a half. I live in a particularly warm area and often go for walks outdoors during hot weather, which might be relevant to my situation. I’m trying to determine whether these spots could be due to heat, anxiety, a fungal infection, or another cause. Currently, I'm on vacation, but I plan to consult a healthcare professional as soon as I return home. I’d appreciate any advice or suggestions on what I might do in the meantime!