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Original poster

Should I use brute force?

24 replies

Joceybean · 04/05/2006 18:08

My dd who is 3.5 has been prescribed some awful tasting antibiotics to take four times a day on empty stomach. Told the doctor she wont take but he assured me that was nonsense and all children take medicine! I have so far tried talking to her, syringe neat, in food, and in drink ad so far no good. I did try and force the issue and it ended up spat out whilst gagging and we both got upset and frustrated. Please please can anyone help? Can anyone suggest a strong tasting food or any brilliant suggestions as she really has to take this and i have two damn bottles in the fridge to get down her. Also tried bribery by the way.

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charliecat · 04/05/2006 18:12

I used to pin my dds head to the floor with one hand and spoon in the medicine with the other and they would choke/swallow it....that was until she learnt this fantastic tongue flicking motion that would eject it back out at high speed. But i figured she needed the medicine and 5 seconds of not so niceness from me was worth it.

foxinsocks · 04/05/2006 18:16

is it the red one? we had this recently but ds is a bit older so it was a bit easier!

What bribe did you try? Have you tried the chocolate button after each spoon?

What ailment is it for? With ds I explained that his skin was not going to get better without the medicine and he needed it to make him feel alright again (as he was feeling very ill at the time). If she's not that ill, that talk probably won't help!

Original poster

Joceybean · 04/05/2006 18:16

I feel awful pinning her down but I know you are right, she has to have it. I guess if she spits it then I refill the syringe and go again. I have to say having tried it, i dont blame her, it is pretty vile stuff. I had to pull her from under the table by her ankles!

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Original poster

Joceybean · 04/05/2006 18:19

Its called Flucloxocillin. When I sniffed it it took me back to my tonsillitis days when I was young. She has a weird sore on her back which at first they thought was impetigo but now they dont know what it is. We have tried three prescribed creams all of which did not work.

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chapsmum · 04/05/2006 18:24

You could buy some fruit puree from the ASDA like the baby organix pots and mix it in.
Or chocolate button in one hand medicine in the other, If youeat this, you can have this.
IIRC fluclox should be taken on an empty stomach will check this..
so would not give too much food
You could try some play with her, set up a dolly hospital and get her to give medicine to her dollys that will make them better and them make sure the dollies are rewarded

Original poster

Joceybean · 04/05/2006 18:36

Thanks Chapsmum. Have tried the chocolate button and she was having none of it. She is quite willful at the best of times, bless her so even if it tasted of chocolate she still may not have taken it. Have not tried the dolly hospital and will give it a go tomorrow but think she will play along happily then still say no. I am worried what will happen if I cant get it in to her. I have to go back in a week to see the doctor who knows about these skin things apparently If this medicine does not work. What would be next to try?

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Sugarmag · 04/05/2006 18:40

chocolate ice cream

Does the trick for us every time. I KNOW it says take on an empty stomach but if it's the only way to get it into them. Just use a small bit of ice cream - say a tablespoon of ice cream mixed with a teaspoon of medicine. Just think of the novelty of ice cream 4 times a day, especially before breakfast!!

Another good trick, if the taste is still too strong even with the ice cream, is to get the presription written for the double-strength version so you only have to give her half as much. DH is a pharmacist and came up with this clever trick himself!

serenity · 04/05/2006 18:41

This is the only antibiotic that I have totally failed with. It truly is vile. It's meant to taste of pineapple according to my GP - not one I've ever had I have to say.

I ended up going back to my GP and asking for an alternative, there was no way I could get it down DS1.

When they've tried to prescribe it since I've just asked them from the beginning for something else. They gave me something a bit more broad spectrum on the understanding that if it didn't work I'd have to presevere with the Flucloxocillin. Luckily for us we didn't need to

So if you really really can't do it, and she's not getting enough medecine to benefit her, it might be worth asking your GP for an alternative.

Good luck

serenity · 04/05/2006 18:42

medicine (must remember to preview!)

Original poster

Joceybean · 04/05/2006 18:51

Thanks Serenity. I am glad its not just us. I will try for a couple of days and see. I even put it in cola and that didnt work. Its no joke when you have to do it four times a day as well. Your idea about double the strength might be worth a try. I guess its back to the docs monday if no good. tbh I feel defeated already but you never know I might just get some in to her. Will try the choc ice cream and puree!

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Original poster

Joceybean · 04/05/2006 18:53

Thanks sugarmag aswell

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Sugarmag · 04/05/2006 18:58

good luck & my sympathies! the only other thing I can say is it gets easier as they get a bit older because reasoning with them actually starts to work. DD used to be a nightmare but she's 5 now and had to have Flucloxacillin recently and was very good about it - only had to use the ice cream about once a day this time!

foxinsocks · 04/05/2006 18:59

I can't remember what ours was called but it sound similar (and I think was pink/red and tasted foul!).

Ds's skin was covered so it was a bit easier convincing him that the medicine had benefit. Does the sore hurt her? Could you try and explain how the medicine will try and make it better?

It sounds like you're doing all you can tbh! I often wonder whether there aren't any capsules of an appropriate strength because it's probably easier to get them to swallow something small than sip some horrible tasting syrup.

Original poster

Joceybean · 04/05/2006 19:00

Will start tomorrow as a new day. Icecream for breakfast, anyone?

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Original poster

Joceybean · 04/05/2006 19:04

It does hurt her but not all the time. She cant see it or reach it as its on her shoulder blade, about an inch by half an inch. I cant persuade her that taking the medicine will benefit her, have tried unfortunatelly. My oldest DD is 6 and wish it was her cos she is easy to bribe and has some understanding that it would be helping her.

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iota · 04/05/2006 19:12

I had some success mixing medicine with haliborange vitamin syrup - which my ds2 loves.

Crackle · 04/05/2006 19:59

We had a very ill baby who is now a strapping great healthy lad who always spewed antibiotics straight back on us.

Always.

I learned in the end to get the Dr to write up the prescription as a suppository. Sounds vile but actually much less traumatic for all concerned. I would just get him to lie down, quick dollop of vaseline and Bobs your Uncle.:)

Good luck.

jellyjelly · 04/05/2006 20:29

I am trying to get drops in my sons eyes but it is so hard to do he kicks.punches and screams and then runs away and i cant chase him. Even tried sweets and it doesnt work

Original poster

Joceybean · 04/05/2006 20:47

My sympathies, jellyjelly. Eye drops are a nightmare. Glad I havent had to try to put them in! Sorry I cant give you any advise though

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jellyjelly · 04/05/2006 21:59

I had to sit on him earlier and try and get his hands under my legs as i was on my own and i thought i was going to brake him. He hid under the table after and was so upset he almost threw up.

expatinscotland · 04/05/2006 22:02

we had to use brute force on dd1 when she had a nasty chest infection. it was awful!

sympathies, jocey.

Piffle · 04/05/2006 22:07

jocey my dd (3.5) had this medicine for tonsilitis a few weeks ago, it is disgusting - we mixed it with calpol or nurofen or in pineapple juice, using two syringes (2.5mls medicine 2.5 mls juice or get large 10 ml syringe and double up) we did allow her a couple of milky bar buttons if she took it and a drink of water straight afterwards.

Piffle · 04/05/2006 22:09

We also did have some luck explaining that iv antibiotics were the only other possibility... for a 3.5 yr old dd understood very quickly...

Original poster

Joceybean · 05/05/2006 20:51

Thankyou all so much for your replies. After no luck whatsoever phoned GP and have an appointment for next Tuesday to see the "skin doctor" at the surgery. I hope he can actually tell whats wrong without faffing around with all these different medicines. We are all thoroughly fed up now.

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