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Original poster

How on earth do I get medicine into hysterical ds?

31 replies

feedtheghoul · 26/10/2010 21:53

I feel like the a rotten mum tonightSad.

Ds has been prescribed antibiotics today and is feeling really poorly with a chest infection. He had a high temp last night and was being sick, which is something that happens everytime he is ill with the slightest little thing.

The problem is getting medicine down him. He has absolutely refused to take it. We have spent 30 mins reasoning, cajoling and bribing tonight. After another 10 minutes of screaming and shouting (Sad I know, I know, don't hate me, I couldn't feel much worse) ended up physically holding him down and forcing it in.

I had to give up on calpol because he spat 2 spoonfuls out and I couldn't be sure what he had or hadn't swallowed so daren't give him anymore.

It is his 5th birthday on thursday and have 32 children coming to a party on saturday and don't know how I'm supposed to try and get him better. I feel so crap tonight.

I've tried a syringe with no success in the past but I'm going to get one from my mum in the morning to try again but no idea how I'm going to get it down him tomorrow on my own.

OP posts:
Littlefish · 26/10/2010 21:56

Have you tried using paracetemol suppositories? If you can get his temperature down with them, he might then be able to take his antibiotics.

bosch · 26/10/2010 21:59

In the past I have resorted to bribery (ds2 would hold chocolate button in his hand while I measured medicine. Button went in his mouth the minute I'd got medicine in) and brute force (I recall nailing ds1 to the kitchen floor (kneeling on/over him) to get eye drops in Blush)

one of my friends children got a chest infection last autumn and she wouldn't take antibiotics/couldn't tolerate (wasn't clear if she was retching to make herself sick). She ended up in hospital because chest infection had took hold and she needed iv antibiotics. I learnt from their experience - medicine is non-negotiable.

Original poster
feedtheghoul · 26/10/2010 22:01

I haven't Littlefish . Can you buy them over the counter for his age group or do they need to be prescribed?

Not sure if it would help with the antibiotics as was just as bad earlier when his temperature was ok but as least it might solve one of the problems.

OP posts:
Original poster
feedtheghoul · 26/10/2010 22:05

Sad That is what is worrying me bosch.

I've tried explaining this to him and ended up shouting at him that there would be no party and he would have to go to hospital instead if I couldn't get him better with medicine.

Brute force was the only way tonight and horrible as it was I am prepared to do it if that is what it takes but I don't think I could physically do it without dh to hold his arms because he fights like mad.

OP posts:
winnybella · 26/10/2010 22:08

Well, if he will not be persuaded, then brute force is what's needed. Don't feel bad about it.

CarGirl · 26/10/2010 22:10

I used to give mine a dose of stuff once they'd actually gone to sleep, just slightly roused them - much more cooperative.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 26/10/2010 22:12

My trick is to use a neurofen syringe smeared with chocolate spread- its so icky and sticky they suck up the medicine with the choc spread (well, having said that, it works on ds, but he is only 2, suppose older kids might well be smarter!)

Littlefish · 26/10/2010 22:12

feed - yes, you can buy them over the counter. They are expensive though (about £10 a pack I think).

When dd was really ill with ear/chest infections and I had to get her temperature down and antibiotics in, the GP basically told me I had to be extremely firm with dd and get dh to hold her if necessary. It feels horrible, but it really does have to be done sometimes.

nellieisstilltired · 26/10/2010 22:13

I've put it in small yoghurts, fruit juice and milkshake before now. then stood over them while they take it. Its horrible isn't it?

But dont worry I've seen them in childrens wards not stand any messing - its been brute force if necessary.

Needanewname · 26/10/2010 22:14

We usually use bribes but have in the past resorted to brute force with DD2 and it is horrible.

Is there anyway you can read a favourite story, watch a short DVD together whilst cuddled up to get him to calm down then discuss why its important to take his medicine.

Original poster
feedtheghoul · 26/10/2010 22:14

I guess i kind of knew before I posted that there were no easy anwsers but I wanted one!

Just not sure about the logistics of fighting a hysterical flailing 5 year old on my own with a carefully balanced spoon of medicine that he is likely to spit out even if I do get near!

This is one of those times I wish I has one of those compliant children who do what they are actually told. Does such a thing exist or is it a myth used to make me feel bad?

OP posts:
CarGirl · 26/10/2010 22:18

Is he asleep now? If so get some medicine down him.

I would use a syringe as it doesn't get spilled so easily.

As he's 5 can you ask him to think of a treat he would really really like, then get him to give himself the medicine out of the syringe - give him the responsibility of being a big boy and he can do it himself? A sticker towards the reward each time he takes it?????

Original poster
feedtheghoul · 26/10/2010 22:20

Cargirl - I tried that last night and he was like a wild thing, ended up with an eyeful of nurofen!

We've tried chocolate and chewy sweets.

We also had 5 minutes out to calm down and cuddle, and had a talk about why it is important to no avail. It then became magic yellow power ranger potion to fight the evil germ but no.

I've offered to let him do it himself, however he'd like.

I might try the yoghurt one in the morning, nellie. I'm just worried a might end making a potion with even more volume to have to force down!

OP posts:
defineme · 26/10/2010 22:21

When removing splinters from hysterical children I have wrapped them in a blanket(no flailing limbs) and wedged them between my knees. A syringe is necessary too- you know to point it into the opposite corner of their mouth?-less choking.

Chocolate buttons much better if they work.

Macdonalds milkshake worked once.

Getting the doctor to tell dd she must take it or she'd have to operate on her foot worked.

nellieisstilltired · 26/10/2010 22:22

get hold of a syringe. but youneed to get one that has a purple plunger so that you get the right dose. the chemist will have one if your mum cant get it.

Once you've got hold of ds(i know - got the t shirt) aim the syringe to the back of his cheek and squirt a bit. The whole 5ml is easy to spit out so try doing it in 2ml squirts. Apparently there's less chance of them spitting it out that way. hth

TheFallenMadonna · 26/10/2010 22:25

I'm afraid we used brute force. DH is used to wrestling farm animals, and used pretty much the same approach. It has to be quick if you do it that way though I think.

CarGirl · 26/10/2010 22:27

I am evil, seriously I would consider using the time out method and be prepared to stick it out until they backed down and took it.

Original poster
feedtheghoul · 26/10/2010 22:28

Thanks everyone. I think the syringe is the only chance I have. My mum says she has one that came with a bottle of nurofen. Dh going to go round for it in the morning before work.

I'll try the blanket too defineme.

I can only imagine the tales he is going to tell about how mean mummy is, holding him down and tying him up Blush.

OP posts:
becaroo · 26/10/2010 22:29

Can you put it in yoghurt or fromage frais? Thats how I did it for ds1 when he was younger.

Hope he feels better soon x

tibni · 26/10/2010 22:30

ds (ASD) will not take meds. Once he was in hospital seemingly unconscious and still managed to cover the A&E nurse in meds so I share your pain.

Not ideal but we do a small, strong drink of cordial with his melatonin and ritalin and he accepts that.

With dd we used a syringe when she was younger.

Good Luck

bosch · 26/10/2010 22:30

feedtheghoul - you're doing the right thing even if it feels like you're being mean.

For what it's worth, in both the instances I meantion, ds's were quite tolerant by the end of the course of drugs.

TheMulledBloodsOnMe · 26/10/2010 22:31

I 2nd getting the paracetamol suppositories as they are so much easier and you know exactly how much DC has had. The only drawback is Gp's are hesitant to precribe them as they cost quite a bit, had a bit of a fight on my hand when asking for some on prescription last time and there is no way I am paying £20 for a box of 10 over the counter!

Can't advice what to do WRT antibiotics though, I'm afraid. Unless they do them in suppository form also? DS is a mare trying to get any medicine down as he hates anything sweet tasting and most kids medicines are overly sweet. He is also an expert spitter and nothing seems to work.

activate · 26/10/2010 22:33

I'd be giving him 2 doses in his sleep - so one after he's gone to sleep and set your alarm early and give him one about an hour before he wakes up

leaving you with one that you will just have to pin him down for

HTH

Teaandcakeplease · 26/10/2010 22:34

Similar to Tibni I mix the suspension with warm milk. Does he like Nesquik? Would that disguise it enough?

girliefriend · 26/10/2010 22:35

which antibiotics have they given him? My dd point blanked refused to take one lot (clarithromycin) and when I tried a tiny bit I understood why - it was revolting and even trying to disguise the taste didn't help. Now if she needs antibiotics its amoxocillin or nothing as she will take that!! You have my sympathies as know how stressful it is when you are just trying to help and you feel bad as you know they already feel rough without us trying to give them stuff they don't want!!! Another fan of bribary when all else fails and also get him to close eyes, lots of encouragement, what a brave boy etc etc. God luck, hope he picks up soon