I just can't force the liquid anti-biotics

[jeffily]

DD is feeling under the weather. Was up a couple of nights ago screaming with ear ache- took her to docs yest who checked, she has no ear infection but has had an eye infection, is teething, has horrid cold and under her nose is really sore and bleeding (I think a combination of cold/picking it/wiping it/constantly snotty). Doc thinks she has a virus which she is fighting off which is resulting in her being run down and getting all these things, but suggested that the sore nose is a nose infection and prob v painful so prescribed anti-biotics for her. I managed to force three doses down her yesterday and DH got one down this morning, but I HATE it. I am not sure that her nose is infected, think it is just a combination of things (she has been picking at it as well, which makes me think that it is not hurting her too badly or she'd leave it alone surely?) and am seriously thinking of giving up on the anti biotics. The only way to get any down her is to wrap her in a towel, hold her still and syringe it in while she screams her head off and spits most of it out anyway. I have tried mixing it with honey/sugar/jam etc and explaining to her that it will make her feel better, have tried giving her tiny bits on a spoon (cue mouth clamped shut!).

I think if I was convinced that her nose is infected I would see the virtue in carrying on with it, but it's not going to help with a virus is it? She seems better in herself today. The doc also prescribed liquid ibruprofen which I have had more success in getting her to take (mixed with honey) and seems to be managing her pain much better. What do you think MN? Is it ok for me to decide not to carry on with forcing her to take this medicine, or should I go with the medical advice and continue?

[onimolap]

Stopping a course of antibiotics part way through is a major factor in the rise of resistance. Please don't do it.

If she won't take it orally, go back and ask for a suppository version.

[CommanderDrool]

Can you get the syringe in at the side and to the back of her throat.then push it in quickly?

She needs to finish the course.

[jeffily]

That's interesting onimolap, I hadn't even thought about how it might affect her resistance to them.

Have tried getting the syringe in at the back, but she chokes and still spits it all out. Guess I need to carry on though. I just HATE it so much- having to fight with her and force her to do it. Right. Will grit teeth and do the next dose right now.

Thanks both.

[alfabetty]

Can't you mix in in some milkshake or squash? Just a small amount so she drinks it all?

[fedupwithdeployment]

how old is she? Can you bribe her with a chocolate button?

If not, or if younger, the syringe thing is the only thing that worked for me. I KNOW it is horrid - neither of my boys will even have calpol - and it has been a physical fight on the odd occasion that they have been prescribed antibiotics.

I think they tast so vile, that it doesn't work mixing it with juice etc (I tried with chocolate mousse once!)

Sorry - you have my sympathy.

[TheUnmentioned]

everyone hates doing it but you have to do it for the reasons mentioned above.

squirt into the side of her mouth and then close her mouth. Horrible I knwo but neccesary.

You may be able to get a different flavour from the pharmacist.

[scaryjane]

Ring the GP you saw and ask, explain the difficulty / her distress?

If you are going to carry on, squirting high into the cheek (between top teeth and inside of cheek) makes it difficult to spit out, and is more comfortable for her as is less likely to make her gag.

[jeffily]

Just did the next dose and DH is back for the last one of the day so I don't have to do that one. I'm not sure how much she is really getting, but at least I am trying. And she doesn't seem to hold a grudge, is now happily unpacking all my cosmetics from my make up bag and ate a huge (in comparison to recent days) lunch. Even gave me a kiss!

She's 19 months and has never had chocolate so far! But might try bribing her with a chocolate button, will text DH to get some on his snowy way home. No way we are venturing out this pm, it's minus 6 here and slippy!

Have tried mixing it with other stuff alfabetty, but they really do taste so vile as fedup says that she can taste that bitterness straight away and refuses to open her mouth. Think I'll go for the syringe and forcing it in, followed by a yummy choc button route.

Thanks again MN, for strengthening my resolve!

[jeffily]

And x post with you scaryjane- that's a great tip , thank you!