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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder why people give so much medicine to their kids?

582 replies

RagamuffinAndFidget · 19/01/2016 22:47

I am totally open to being told IABU here, am just looking for opinions really.

DS3 (7mo) has a cough and a cold. I posted a 'go the fuck to sleep' type status on Facebook earlier and had lots of comments from friends telling me to give Calpol/Nurofen. For a cold? Really? Also some comments suggesting Vicks on his feet, which seems more sensible..

Do people really give Calpol every time their child has the sniffles? Is there actually a point to it, or is it just the done thing to dose a child up every time they cry now? Don't get me wrong, I do give my children medicine if they have a very high temperature or are in pain, but I try not to give it often, and I wouldn't give it for a cough/lack of sleep.

Is it just me?

OP posts:
DisappointedOne · 20/01/2016 18:12

Well, the world would be a very boring and even more over-medicated place if we all felt the same. Hmm

Adeleslostbeehive · 20/01/2016 18:13

Do you think the UK is over medicated? Interesting, I don't think we're even close tbh. Most people can't even finish a course of anti bs

bodenbiscuit · 20/01/2016 18:17

Well, when I had my first two children I had no idea why people used calpol and so many medicines. I was as smug as fuck about it. They slept through it all. Then I had dd3 and all of a sudden I totally understood the need for Medised - it was the ONLY thing that would stop her screening if she was ill. And she runs 41 degree temperatures when ill whereas the other two never had a fever that bad.

bodenbiscuit · 20/01/2016 18:18

Anyway, my point was that that taught me haha. And all children are very different.

Allisgood1 · 20/01/2016 18:18

I would give calpol given that I take meds when I am sick with a cold. I do not understand "anti-medication" parents and think in some cases not medicating a child is equivocal to abuse. Similarly, over medicating is also equivocal to abuse. It's all about balance and using your own judgement.

DisappointedOne · 20/01/2016 18:25

It's all about balance and using your own judgement

I completely agree.

LagunaBubbles · 20/01/2016 18:26

There have been numerous cases on the news recently of people who have died from taking not that many (accidental) doses

Not accidental doses but accidental overdoses. The recommended daily limit for paracetamol is well known and is on the information leaflet in every box, anything - even one tablet above - can have a cumulative effect. But its still an overdose.

TheCatsMeow · 20/01/2016 18:28

I just don't get not taking medicine. I use antiemetics when I feel sick, painkillers when in pain, decongestants, relaxants etc. I won't just "put up with it" because I have the means to treat it!

DisappointedOne · 20/01/2016 18:29

I don't just put up with feeling poorly. I just don't head straight for the drug box!

TheCatsMeow · 20/01/2016 18:29

But I don't get why you wouldn't when it makes everything easier

DisappointedOne · 20/01/2016 18:34

It's just as easy for me to make honey and lemon as it is to make lemsip.

It's just as easy for me to drink some water without taking a tablet and make a hot water bottle for period, ear or back pain.

This cold hasn't given me a headache so I've had no need for pain relief. If I did, I'd take some just when I need it, not for the duration of the cold "in case" it gives me a headache.

CoteDAzur · 20/01/2016 18:34

"Do you realise that the 2 most important things for a cold are good hydration and rest??"

And where is this ideal world where I get to just stay in bed sipping on my water bottle all day when I have a cold? Where is it? Hmm I still have to get up when the alarm rings to take DC to school, work, do errands, cook, collect DC from school, feed them, make sure homework is done etc.

BertrandRussell · 20/01/2016 18:35

Why on earth are you so cross, Cote?

CoteDAzur · 20/01/2016 18:36

I'm not cross, Bertrand. Why, do you need a hug?

DisappointedOne · 20/01/2016 18:36

FWIW my sister has a chronic life limiting condition. There's no licenced medicine available for it, and she had horrendous side effects from a drug trial for one they thought might work. She's found it easier to manage through diet and exercise. (Most people with the condition are unable to work/bed bound. She manages to work full 12 hour day and night shifts for the emergency services.)

DisappointedOne · 20/01/2016 18:38

I didn't say anything about staying in bed. I've ignored some housework and cut studies to the minimum been going to bed an hour earlier than usual at night and sitting whenever I can (ironing, chopping veg etc). And I feel much better for it.

TheCatsMeow · 20/01/2016 18:38

Disappointed I agree about honey and lemon because lemsip is disgusting.

How is it? If you have to have a hot water bottle for period pain you're restricted to carrying it around whereas you can take a tablet and it's gone.

Also that's a bad way to do pain releif, you're supposed to stay on top of the pain, not let it resurface. My mum is a HCP and drummed into me not to wait for it to come back, because you heal/recover slower when in pain

thelouise · 20/01/2016 18:42

Taking medication is not a weakness. I live with a condition that causes chronic pain. Nothing irritates me more than being told about Jane who manages her condition with ginger extract and running 5 mile marathons at 5 am as if Jane is some paragon of virtue.

thelouise · 20/01/2016 18:46

I meant 5 minute marathons, not miles.

DisappointedOne · 20/01/2016 18:47

She tried medication first. It didn't work/side effects were horrendous, so she's not really got much choice, louise. Or perhaps she should suffer and become bed bound to make you feel better? Hmm

BertrandRussell · 20/01/2016 18:49

"Taking medication is not a weakness. I live with a condition that causes chronic pain. Nothing irritates me more than being told about Jane who manages her condition with ginger extract and running 5 mile marathons at 5 am as if Jane is some paragon of virtue."

Absolutely,

Yo may have noticed that we are talking about taking pain medication for mild symptoms, symptoms which are not pain, and "just in case"

AngelBlue12 · 20/01/2016 18:50

arethereanyleftatall - I have 2 dc - 7&5 - and we're still on the first bottle of cal pol I bought when dd1 was born. I suspect it's out of date. I've never withheld it if I thought it would ease their pain, but I don't think they suffer from the same aching of joints/headaches etc that adults do when they get colds. Mine can both be coughing/snotting nonstop but still be running around as happy as larry. So I wouldn't give it then.

Sorry but you sound like my idiot primary school teacher that said that children couldn't get really bad headaches! Of course children get joint aches and headaches like we do when they have colds.

thelouise · 20/01/2016 18:51

I was responding to Disappointed's comments ta.

thelouise · 20/01/2016 18:56

Disappointed Don't be so ridiculous. Of course it's great for her that she is managing well. No one (sane) wishes ill health or misery upon another person. Making comments about medication with undertones make me Hmm especially when it's never by the person who has to live with it.

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 20/01/2016 19:02

I don't see the point in suffering with any sort of pain when there is medicine to get rid of it. Pain makes me miserable and grumpy. The sooner I am relieved of it the better it is for me and everyone else.