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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to stop giving DS paracetamol after a week?

27 replies

cakedup · 26/01/2019 14:42

DS(13) came down with a cold/flu, not sure which, last Friday. He has been mostly bedridden and off school all last week. He is much better now, colour back in cheeks and I'll be sending him back to school on Monday.

He has lost his voice though and still complaining of a sore throat but has been taking paracetamol for about a week. He does have a low threshold of pain.

He wants to take another paracetamol today but I've been trying to wean him off since yesterday, AIBU to stop giving him paracetamol now?

OP posts:
JasperKarat · 26/01/2019 14:49

Does he definitely not have tonsillitis? I used to suffer terribly as a child, gargling with salt water will help if you want him off meds or soluble aspirin otherwise. If it's really sore difflam throat spray is excellent. Is his temperature still up?

Hubblebubbletripletrouble · 26/01/2019 14:50

I presume you’ve been making sure he doesn’t accidentally overdose?

JasperKarat · 26/01/2019 14:50

Honey, lemon and warm water is another good natural soother

Original poster
cakedup · 26/01/2019 14:56

JasperKarat I'm quite sure it's not tonsillitis, my cousin who has suffered from tonsillitis for years also checked and he doesn't have the symptoms. I've tried throat spray but he gagged and said never again. He can't even stand throat sweets, he is incredibly fussy/sensitive. There is no way he would gargle salt water. He never really had much of a temperature to be honest...despite telling me he felt hot, I never actually perceived him to have a temperature at any point.

OP posts:
Original poster
cakedup · 26/01/2019 14:58

No Hubblebubbletripletrouble I've just been crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. Hmm What relevance is that to my thread??

OP posts:
Caticorn · 26/01/2019 14:59

I'm not one to run to the doctor's but after a week of sore throat I would take him to be checked.
I'm not sure your cousin counts as a medical professional simply because she's had tonsillitis. There are other things it could be.

user1473878824 · 26/01/2019 15:01

@Hubblebubbletripletrouble ah I’m sure OP’s just giving him handfuls every half hour. 🙄🙄🙄

steff13 · 26/01/2019 15:04

Are you sure it's not strep throat?

I've had tonsillitis several times and I will consider myself able to diagnose it in another person. Is take him to the doctor. That's a long time to have a sore throat.

steff13 · 26/01/2019 15:04

Wouldn't, not will. 🙄

HavelockVetinari · 26/01/2019 15:09

Huh? Why would you leave him in pain? Paracetamol is very, very safe, and not at all addictive. It won't harm him to take it for over a week.

Original poster
cakedup · 26/01/2019 15:10

The tonsils are less red/inflamed they were to begin with. DS can't stand to be in any pain. At the start, he ranked his throat pain level at 8 or 9. He is now saying it's currently a 3 or 4.

Caticorn no I realise my cousin isn't a medical professional but her and her son have had tonsilitis for many years now and I just asked for a second opinion, I didn't think it was either. I'm afraid that's how it goes these days when you have a full time job and getting an appointment at your GP is extremely difficult. But I take your point in that it has lasted a while.

OP posts:
Original poster
cakedup · 26/01/2019 15:16

HavelockVetinari I disagree, painkillers are addictive but I guess I'm thinking it can't be good for your liver to be taking painkillers for longer than necessary.

OP posts:
Aridane · 26/01/2019 15:16

Agree with Havelock - why leave him even in moderate pain?

Aridane · 26/01/2019 15:16

Paracetamol is not addictive, it's not fucking codeine!

Original poster
cakedup · 26/01/2019 15:17

steff13 didn't think it was strep throat as he also has a cough.

Ok, so maybe GP next week then.

OP posts:
Original poster
cakedup · 26/01/2019 15:23

I don't like to take paracetamol myself for long periods of time or for pain I can tolerate, didn't think that was unusual?

Aridane I know paracetamol is not an addictive substance in itself. But I do know people who take it on a daily basis just because they feel better on it.

OP posts:
Caticorn · 26/01/2019 15:53

I have a full time job too. When my children are I'll I get them to the doctor. Honestly, I think after a week he needs seeing.

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 26/01/2019 15:56

I was ill as a child and as a result had to take paracetamol throughout the day at two weeks at a time, which was prescribed by the doctor. She had no worries about that.

I would get him to the doctor though if he's still not better next week.

combatbarbie · 26/01/2019 15:59

@OP I've had my tonsils removed but still get tonsillitus....it manifests itself as cold/flu.

GetUpAgain · 26/01/2019 16:02

I'd take him to a pharmacist - much easier than getting to GP and they will know what he can take and for how long. Hope he is better soon .

MissHemsworth · 26/01/2019 16:22

As per a PP pharmacist might be a good shout. They will be able to advise on the paracetamol I would have thought.

Is there a possibility it's post nasal drip causing the sore throat?

HavelockVetinari · 26/01/2019 16:32

When I had my c section I took paracetamol for 3 weeks every day (I don't like how morphine makes me feel)! Not a single side effect.

Original poster
cakedup · 26/01/2019 18:22

Caticorn I take my ds to the doctors when I think it's needed too, not sure why you think otherwise. I work term time only which means I don't get any annual leave and my surgery does not do evening appointments. You phone on the day, wait in a queue for 10 minutes and if you're lucky you get a slot. I'm just saying, it's not easy.

HavelockVetinari well then I guess you needed it and that's fine! Just don't like taking it/giving it willy nilly.

OP posts:
tiggerkid · 26/01/2019 18:27

If he still feels bad, after a week it's probably time to go to the doc as it's clearly not just a case of a normal cold.

Fluffyears · 26/01/2019 19:44

I went to two pharmacists with a sore throat, they told me to go to the GP. Lemsip might actually be better, it has paracetamol but also the heat is soothing.

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