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How Can Throat And Esophagus Dysphagia With A Dry Mouth Be Treated?
I live in Canada. I have had problems for a few years with getting pills stuck in throat daily - 24/7 - The largest pill I now take is about 1/4 inch in diameter. Prior to this problem starting, I take daily vitamins (huge) and didn t have any problem. When the problem first started, I went for all the tests, including the swallowing one. Nothing was found. I take Detrol for my bladder which, apparently, causes dry mouth, etc. I have been taking this med for about 4-5 yr. I have tried everything I could think of to get the pill to go down, including bread, pop, tea, other food, peanut butter, margarine, oil, juice, etc. Is there anything I can take to get the pill to go down all the way? Patricia
posted on
Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 2 Aug 2020
Answered on
Thu, 13 Aug 2020
Last reviewed on
Hi,
Noted your history about taking Detrol for bladder problem which causes dry mouth, taking many pills of vitamins and fine with that except the one which is 1/4 th inch in diameter, tried many things like bread, pop, tea, peanut butter and many others, done swallowing test also.
Since you can swallow other pills of smaller size without any problem, there is no history about swallowing difficulty with foods, solids or liquid there looks to be no real problem related to swallowing.
The problem only with one tablet or capsule of large size indicates the tablet is really large and have a coating that is getting stuck in the throat.
I would advise you the following in such a situation.
Stop taking something that is so large and causing unnecessary problems. Find an alternative smaller capsule or syrup so that your problem is solved.
Many a times the coating of some medicines gets stuck and in such cases having water orally first and gulping the tablet with lots of water usually is sufficient and if this does not help then change to another form.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. T. Chandrakant, ENT & General Surgeon
Noted your history about taking Detrol for bladder problem which causes dry mouth, taking many pills of vitamins and fine with that except the one which is 1/4 th inch in diameter, tried many things like bread, pop, tea, peanut butter and many others, done swallowing test also.
Since you can swallow other pills of smaller size without any problem, there is no history about swallowing difficulty with foods, solids or liquid there looks to be no real problem related to swallowing.
The problem only with one tablet or capsule of large size indicates the tablet is really large and have a coating that is getting stuck in the throat.
I would advise you the following in such a situation.
Stop taking something that is so large and causing unnecessary problems. Find an alternative smaller capsule or syrup so that your problem is solved.
Many a times the coating of some medicines gets stuck and in such cases having water orally first and gulping the tablet with lots of water usually is sufficient and if this does not help then change to another form.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. T. Chandrakant, ENT & General Surgeon
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