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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be considering not giving my 3 year old the rest of his medicene as

29 replies

Itrymybest · 28/01/2011 22:16

He's feeling much better from his chest infection and he has taken against taking medicene so much that its an almost impossible struggle. It distresses him and upsets me to see him so worked up. He was first prescribed antibiotics on wednesday and that gave him diarrhea so was prescribed some more yesterday. Has resisted taking both. Would always finish the course I know that I should and it could come back otherwise etc but he does seem better and its just an impossible fight. So tempted to just stop aibu?

OP posts:
greedychops · 28/01/2011 22:18

Probably yabu. Think you nee to get him to finish the course. Can you hide it in yoghurt or something similar?

bitofcheese · 28/01/2011 22:18

i would finish them, can you get one of those syringe admin things that chemists have if you ask, much easier to get the meds into their mouths

griphook · 28/01/2011 22:19

Yabu a bit, if you don't finish the course it will come back. try bribery or mixing it in with something that tastes good

winnybella · 28/01/2011 22:19

YABU.

You must finish the course. Just because he seems better, doesn't mean the infection is gone and can, in fact, come back with a doubled strength if you stop the ABs.

Also there's the case of bacteria becoming resistant to the ABs.

Can you mix it with joghurt? Headlock, if nothing else works.

Original poster
Itrymybest · 28/01/2011 22:19

I've been using syringes. He struggles away from that too!

OP posts:
FabbyChic · 28/01/2011 22:20

If he does not finish the course he won't be fully protected against it coming back.

You should always finish a course of anti-biotics.

Blu · 28/01/2011 22:20

You really must get him to finish the course of anti-biotics.
a couple of choc buttons first, then while they are still in his mouth the medecine in a syringe, then more choc, very quickly.

BertieBotts · 28/01/2011 22:21

You have to finish the course - even if he seems better it may be just that the infection has reduced to a level that his body won't display symptoms. So it could come back if you stop it now and then you're back at square one.

Agree with hiding it in something - if it's the banana flavoured one milkshake might work?

curlymama · 28/01/2011 22:21

YABVU.

toeragsnotriches · 28/01/2011 22:23

Have you started the course? DS1 was started on some antibiotics before Xmas and we found out (after 2 doses) that they were probably unnecessary (long story!) Anyway the paediatrician told us even then that we must finish the course.

So... I think YABU. How old is he? Young enough to pin down and syringe? Or if older I always find a little chocolate mousse is a great smuggler of meds!

onimolap · 28/01/2011 22:23

YABVVU.

Aside from whether it might flare up again, not finishing the full course may mean some of the bacteria have not been killed off. This is how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, and how diseases become untreatable.

Original poster
Itrymybest · 28/01/2011 22:23

I realise all this but its been a nightmare and the better he feels the more he struggles! Have tried bribery but nothing works. Its aniseed flavour but he hates it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Itrymybest · 28/01/2011 22:25

He's allergic to pernicilin so I guess the choice of antibiotics are more limited. Yes I realise I am bu. Will just have to battle another day tomorrow! Off to bed now as I am shattered! :(

OP posts:
DorisIsAPinkDragon · 28/01/2011 22:26

Bribery if you have too but yes yabu.

dd2 has very regular courses of antibiotics and it was an enormaous challenge to get different ones down each time but it was necessary, you are given a course to ensure that the infection is fully erradicated (fwiw her courses are ALWAYS 2 weeks!)

DD can now tolerate tablets (has to take other meds aswell daily) so getting ab's into is now longer such a trial as the taste element is removed (thank god!)

Good luck and keep trying (for children like my dd)

Morloth · 28/01/2011 22:26

Needs must I am afraid. He doesn't have to like it but he does need to take them. Pin him on the ground if you have to, I have before.

ilovesprouts · 28/01/2011 22:27

he needs to finish it all

DorisIsAPinkDragon · 28/01/2011 22:27

What's he on it may be that you could get an altenative manufacturer with a different flavour prescribed (we had to with flucloxacillin as the cheap pink one is vile)

curlymama · 28/01/2011 22:27

You are the grown up, he is a child. You need to be a bit sneaky and inventive.

He really does need to finish them, how would you feel if it comes back, he has to feel ill again and you have to go through this for a whole week instead of just a couple more days. That is a very real risk.

ednurse · 28/01/2011 22:28

YABU. If you stop a course short then the infection can come back stronger and become resistant to that antibiotic.

Yes children will struggle and it distresses you both but its something that MUST be done. Either squirt it towards the side of the throat in one go with a syringe or if you REALLY have to then mix it into a yogurt.

ilovemyhens · 28/01/2011 22:28

Just squirt it into his mouth and hold his nose until he swallows it. It's not very nice to have to do, but he must take the full course.

If he avoids the syringe, then you have to get someone to help you.

purplearmadillo · 28/01/2011 22:30

I sympathise because DS has been taking various medicines by syringe 14 times a day plus 3 suppositories plus inhalers and tablets fo the last week due to tonsillectomy/asthma/reflux. He is also almost 3 and mostly gets distressed every time.

However, I didnt finish a course of ABs personally last year (for a reason but ultimately stupid) and the tonsillitis came back even worse. I really regretted it. My DS has had recurrent chest infections which have been miserable and I would strongly advise you to finish the course for his own sake even setting aside the wider importance of finishing a course.

Sometimes being a mum means doing the right thing for them even when they find it upsetting. Hope you are ok because I know how horrible it is (DS next sue medicine at midnight :))

onimolap · 28/01/2011 22:31

Poor you! I hope you can find the strength (and right bribe) to stick with it!

purplearmadillo · 28/01/2011 22:32

Oops. That was obviously meant to be a sad face!

TrillianAstra · 28/01/2011 22:33

YABVU -especially if the range of antibiotics he can take is limited.

Always always always finish a course of antibiotics.

COCKadoodledooo · 28/01/2011 22:34

If he won't have it in a syringe (mine never had a choice, it was bear hugs then squirt it in if he resisted - resistance didn't last long!), then mix it with some yoghurt. And a chocolate button for after.

Yes it is crappy for him if he's upset by it, but he'll feel crappier if he's poorly for longer if he doesn't finish the course.