Pill stuck in throat?

frogger62 · Jan 10, 2018 at 03:57 PM

My 200mg Lamictal is a giant pill and I always have to break it into 4 different sections and then swallow each piece separately. But sometimes I'm lazy and just go for the whole thing. Last night that's what I did and I seriously think the pill got stuck in my throat or something?? I've never had heartburn (I don't think, although I don't know what heartburn is supposed to feel like) but I imagine this is what it would feel like. It was so uncomfortable I couldn't sleep at all last night and even threw up to try and get the pill out and relieve some discomfort. But it still feels like that now!! And it's 12:55pm the next day! Is this normal? Wouldn't the pill have dissolved by now? Is it something else? This has happened to me a few times before (always when I try to take the whole pill at one time) but it usually has only lasted maaaaybe 30 mins max. But this time is really bad

What should I do?

Jester's Rags · Jan 10, 2018 at 04:07 PM

Have you tried drinking large quantities of water? This isn't what I would consider normal. Especially with the feeling lasting so long. If you don't know what heartburn feels like, perhaps you had did just have something to eat that didn't agree with you. Also, my bet is that throwing up didn't help matters as it probably irritated your throat more. I'm not a doc, and can't really give you professional advice.

I will agree with you that those Lamictal tabs are large. I had the really big round ones in the past. My latest couple of scripts have been 5 sided tablets and go down much easier. I don't have my script with me to let you know the manufacturer, but could check if you'd like.

frogger62 · Jan 10, 2018 at 08:02 PM

I'm such a bad pill taker, I chug sooooo much water with them. You're totally right about the throwing up though, I didn't even think of that.
I also have a bad habit of taking the lamictal right before I go to sleep aka lay down. Which I know you're not supposed to lay down right after taking it. Could that be why? Or are they unrelated I wonder. Sorry for all the questions, I'm just thinking out loud

The 5 sided ones sound sooooo much nicer! I will ask my doctor about it.

Thank you!

Jester's Rags · Jan 10, 2018 at 08:55 PM

The ones I have are from unichem pharmaceuticals. 200mg lamictal with a penny for size comparison. Pill stuck in throat?

kecanoe · Jan 10, 2018 at 11:11 PM

I have a couple of thoughts-based on my experience, not medical training.

If the pill did lodge for a while in your throat, it could have caused irritation that lingered after the pill was dissolved. Also, pills are designed to dissolve in your stomach/intestine which would mean that stomach acid is usually part of them dissolving. And there is nothing like that in your esophagus-it is just designed to transport food/liquid not to digest or dissolve. So it might have taken much longer to dissolve than it normally would.

So the long lasting heartburn makes some sense.

Drinking a lot of water before you swallow your pills might help. My Dr has recommended that. You could also try chamomile tea or aloe vera juice. Those are both calming to the stomach so maybe they would help your throat.

~Christina · Jan 10, 2018 at 11:25 PM

Eat a few crackers if the pill seems stuck. It works it loose and you can chug water to make sure it’s down the hatch lol

*Laurie* · Jan 10, 2018 at 11:52 PM

Your throat is probably scratched and irritated. Gargling with warm salt water and sucking on cough drops would help.

benzenering · Jan 11, 2018 at 01:22 AM

Lamictal 200's are my worst, too. Gagged on it many times, even though I break it in half.

TicTacGo · Jan 11, 2018 at 09:35 AM

My oh my. That pill is big. I take a slightly smaller pill each day and I am guilty of sometimes (when rushed or lazy) swallowing it dry. Sometimes it works, and sometimes I get this bitter taste and burning in my throat. I actually know someone who swallowed a pill dry and ended up with a burnt esophagus and could not eat for days.

In your case, I would say that you need to swallow it with copious amounts of water. Glug glug glug.

Wonderfalls · Jan 11, 2018 at 04:46 PM

My 200mg were diamond shaped for years and that was nice. They switched manufacturers to big flat round ones. I make sure the pill is flat on my tongue. I take a big chug of water, keep it in my mouth and gulp the whole thing at once sort of skipping my throat.

Menu

My Support Forums - Mental Health Support Groups

Get emotional support and friendship from others like you!

Pill stuck in throat?

My Support Forums

Jester's Rags Member Member Since Oct 2017 Location: USA Posts: 386 6 37 hugs given	Jan 10, 2018 at 08:55 PM #4 The ones I have are from unichem pharmaceuticals. 200mg lamictal with a penny for size comparison. __________________ Dust in the breeze it always comes Blocking out the Sun Up from the Ashes a Phoenix flies https://psychcentralforums.com/creat...er-s-rags.html https://psychcentralforums.com/creat...innocence.html
	Reply With Quote

~Christina Legendary Wise Elder Community Liaison Member Since Jul 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 22,450 (SuperPoster!) 12 12.7k hugs given	Jan 10, 2018 at 11:25 PM #6 Eat a few crackers if the pill seems stuck. It works it loose and you can chug water to make sure it’s down the hatch lol __________________ Helping others gets me out of my own head ~
	Reply With Quote

Laurie Account Suspended Member Since Jan 2015 Location: California Uber Alles Posts: 9,150 (SuperPoster!) 9 5,382 hugs given	Jan 10, 2018 at 11:52 PM #7 Your throat is probably scratched and irritated. Gargling with warm salt water and sucking on cough drops would help.
	Reply With Quote

benzenering Grand Poohbah Member Since Mar 2013 Location: CA Posts: 1,637 11 262 hugs given	Jan 11, 2018 at 01:22 AM #8 Lamictal 200's are my worst, too. Gagged on it many times, even though I break it in half.
	Reply With Quote

Wonderfalls Veteran Member Member Since Jul 2016 Location: Midwest Posts: 726 7 16 hugs given	Jan 11, 2018 at 04:46 PM #10 My 200mg were diamond shaped for years and that was nice. They switched manufacturers to big flat round ones. I make sure the pill is flat on my tongue. I take a big chug of water, keep it in my mouth and gulp the whole thing at once sort of skipping my throat.
	Reply With Quote