Crushing pills was/is the only way Ron get's his and he used to put down the tube, now he can swallow but he still crushes them up.I can tell you what NOT to crush and take by mouth, Dulcolax! Boy that stuff tasted nasty he said and he gagged and it went up the nose, lol wasn't funny at the time cuz you know what that's for and it went up his nose...eww! In the beginning though they gave him liquid pain meds. I bought a Mortar and Pestle to crush his pills, a nice white marble one I found online but you can find in stores without paying shipping, I found mine exactly @ Marshalls Dept store after I bought mine and a bit cheaper too but oh well. And going thru this with Ron they will go into a depression go to the survivor/caregiver threads and read. It's a tough road before they are feeling better, tough for everybody. But worth it!