When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medicine go down
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When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medicine g... - 9/25/2008 10:25:12 PM
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creationtalk
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My son was recently prescribed a liquid antibiotic...when he took it it tasted so horrible that he threw up and was unable to keep it down. After several days of trying, I called the Dr to change the prescription--I tried to get pills he could swallow so wouldn't have the taste, but he doesn't weigh enough. So he was given a different liquid antibiotic. He is refusing to even try to take this one (not sure I blame him...). We've tried bribing with money, ice cream, etc., and threatening antibiotic shots (he HATES shots...he said he'd take the shot), offering a sugar "chaser" for the med.... I don't want to hold him down and pour the stuff down his throat...assuming that I could do that now. He's not big but he is strong. And even if I did pour it down his throat, if he's fighting it that hard, I doubt if it would STAY down.
Suggestions?
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/25/2008 10:30:17 PM
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Mrs.X
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Boy, that's tough. How old is he? Does he get it in a syringe (like the way baby medicine is) or a spoon?
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From Sweet Grass to the Packin' House
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. -Proverbs 15:1
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/25/2008 10:34:42 PM
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OneOfHisJewels
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Can you mix into a glass of juice or kool aid? That's what I do with my disabled sister.
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/25/2008 10:43:02 PM
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Mrs.X
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Really choclatey milk works too, like 3 tablespoons of quik to 8oz. of milk and the full dose of medicine. Something about the milk nutralizes (a little) the taste. Don't tell him it's in there.
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-Stina
From Sweet Grass to the Packin' House
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. -Proverbs 15:1
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/25/2008 10:43:38 PM
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creationtalk
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Mrs.X
Boy, that's tough. How old is he? Does he get it in a syringe (like the way baby medicine is) or a spoon?
He is 7 yo--barely 50 lbs. The medicine is given with a dosing spoon (more than a teaspoon). He is extremely sensitive to taste and texture.
quote:
ORIGINAL: OneOfHisJewels
Can you mix into a glass of juice or kool aid?
I can do that and have in the past (tried it with the last one), but some of these meds have an aftertaste...so the initial sip w/ the taste of the drink is fine, but then the aftertaste kicks in...with the same result as the med alone. It's possible this new med is not as bad--ds is with his father right now, so I don't have a good feel for everything connected with it.
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/25/2008 10:44:45 PM
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creationtalk
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Mrs.X
Really choclatey milk works too, like 3 tablespoons of quik to 8oz. of milk and the full dose of medicine. Something about the milk nutralizes (a little) the taste. Don't tell him it's in there.
Good suggestion...I might have to try strawberry milk instead, or ice cream. He cannot have much chocolate (allergies)
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/25/2008 10:48:09 PM
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Mrs.X
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Is he a good guzzler? If he can guzzle the whole glass without taking a breath. Since he is 7 and can be reasoned with, you can try telling him that if he takes his medicine and immediately takes a sip (or guzzles) of something else without taking a breath in between then he won't taste it at all. It's once we've breathed that the aftertaste stings us.
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From Sweet Grass to the Packin' House
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. -Proverbs 15:1
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/25/2008 10:49:36 PM
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Shatzie
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I am the same with liquid meds. I'd rather have a shot or swallow a monster pill than take a liquid med. I get the heaves just looking at it in a spoon. Can't the pills be halved for his weight.
When I was a child my parents held me down and poured it down my throat, I'll never forget it and would never do that to a child. If shots are available, do that.
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/25/2008 10:57:40 PM
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NotDoneYet
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Can you get the pharmacist to add flavor to it? We did that with one of Katie's meds...it's VILE tasting, but with the flavoring (an extra 2 bucks, but SO worth it), she takes it without a problem
Walgreens has the flavors....
Just a thought...
NDY
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/25/2008 11:35:34 PM
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stellaluna
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Yeah, I was about to mention Walgreen's. They have lots of flavors to choose from and I think they can add them to any medicine.
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/25/2008 11:42:07 PM
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Focusing
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Yeah, I was going to suggest the flavors.
Has he tried holding his nose when he takes it super duper fast, followed with something good tasting to drink - while still holding his nose, then when he unplugs it, no icky taste! Or he can eat something that tastes good to him, start chewing on it before unplugging his nose.
I made a game of it with my munchkin. Told him to make a big icky face and everything. It helped distract him and was so much easier to get him to take the meds.
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/26/2008 12:07:53 AM
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creationtalk
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I'll try to respond to all--my son has been on a great many antibiotics throughout his life--for the first 3 years we were in the Dr's office an average of once a week; the next 2 years every 2-3 weeks (average--more sometimes in the winter, a little less in summer). This past year has been the best healthwise--only 5 times so far. He figured out to "chase" the meds with water. With one med he not only chased it with water but said if he took the medicine upside down (bend over then take it), the med did not contact his tastebuds and so it wasn't so bad. He tried all of those with the first med, and none worked--it was too bad.
We had the flavoring added to one antibiotic--my son said it made it taste worse than the med by itself, and he does not want the flavoring added.
I will try the "hold your breath" route again. I've suggested it in the past, but he said it didn't work. Maybe adding a drink after to the time he holds his breath will work.
Thanks so much for the ideas. Keep them coming.
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/26/2008 12:09:43 AM
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Mrs.Wifey
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Or just get him the shot. Vomiting can be traumatizing and he's probably associating the two. The flavors do help, but not all that much if the initial flavor is strong.
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/26/2008 1:12:18 AM
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Mrs.X
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quote:
ORIGINAL: creationtalk
I will try the "hold your breath" route again. I've suggested it in the past, but he said it didn't work. Maybe adding a drink after to the time he holds his breath will work.
Yeah, the drink right after the medicine before taking a breath is the trick. The drink will wash away the medicine taste. This trick works for medicine, brussel sprouts, Grandma's yams, whiskey, etc. LOL....I actually learned it in my drinking days.
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-Stina
From Sweet Grass to the Packin' House
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. -Proverbs 15:1
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/26/2008 4:48:05 AM
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HenriettasCat
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I had the exact same problem with my son when he had an eye infection. He was seriously traumatised at the prospect of taking the anitbiotic. I remember him cowering under chairs, having fits and gagging on it - totally out of character. Like you, I tried everything. Eventually the only thing that worked was when I used ice cube trays and poured melted (but not hot) chocolate over the top and let set - I think I used the darker/stronger flavoured chocolate. As the antibiotic already had an orange sweet flavour they tasted like chocolate orange - I'm sure it was the oily texture my son hated. He has a lot of nasty, 'real' food allergies and is quite sensitive to textures and tastes.
Antibiotics are supposed to be kept cold, I was concerned that the warm chocolate might destroy the benefits - I let it go as cold as possible without going hard before adding to the medicine and then popped straight in the fridge, but his infection cleared up.
My sympathies are with you.
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/26/2008 4:57:11 AM
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HenriettasCat
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Oh, I just read that your son can't eat chocolate ...duh - how did I manage to miss that post.
Interesting that both our children have allergies and can't tolerate certain things. It is very difficult to get my son to eat anything new - he won't eat rice, cous cous, pasta (though recently, aged 5) he has begun to eat spaghetti bolognaise), pizza, melted cheese. He is very allergic to eggs and all nuts and quite a few environmental things. It stretches my imagination to the limits to get him to eat a varied and healthy diet (he will at least eat most fruit and veg now). I introduce new foods really slowly. I do take his 'fussiness' seriously however, as I think his sensitivity is his bodies way of protecting him from something which could potentially hurt him.
OK, getting of topic now. I really hope you find an answer.
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/26/2008 5:19:50 AM
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manda59
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I had a similar problem with my dd and we solved it by her holding her nose while she took it, and then having a drink of something else afterwards.
Have him "practice" by holding his nose and drinking something he likes. If he can see that he can't taste that, he might be prepared to try with the antibiotics.
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/26/2008 11:48:16 AM
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locomom
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We used m&m's afterward. I'd say get him the flavoring added version.
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/26/2008 12:10:02 PM
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Mrs.X
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The flavors are good, but they don't get rid of the aftertaste, which is the nastiest part.
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-Stina
From Sweet Grass to the Packin' House
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. -Proverbs 15:1
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/26/2008 12:30:31 PM
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ladyingrace1979
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My twins had to take liquid prednison, the steroid, that stuff is bitter, awful. We tried every trick to get it down them. The only thing we found that would mask the taste and not leave a horrid aftertaste was Wal-mart's grapefruit soda. It only took a little, about twice the volume of the medicine and the taste was gone.
Good luck to you,
Kim Q
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/26/2008 1:12:07 PM
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Jenny-Fair
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Some meds should not be frozen.
Well, it might not work for everyone, but this is how it would go at my house:
Sweetheart, I know you don't want to take this, and I know it's because it tastes bad. Unfortunately, you have bacteria in your body that are alive, reproducing, and causing you problems. If you cannot swallow this medicine and keep it down, we will have to take you to the doctor each day for a shot. I don't want to do that, but I don't want to let the nasty bacteria continue to make you sick. So what's it gonna be?
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/26/2008 1:48:18 PM
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garsyt
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That's how it goes for my youngest ds too. He HATES the mere mention of a shot so it usually works. He too has lots of allergies and asthma to boot and he's been poked and prodded so much in his 9 years that the mere thought of having to get a shot is too much.
My youngest dd can only take Zythromax. She is allergic to pretty much any other antibiotic. She is always worried about taking medications because of the taste, but once we discovered she could take the Zythromax liquid and liked the taste, we've always requested it if possible.
Blessings,
Garsy
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/26/2008 3:55:03 PM
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Mrs.X
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Zythromax, is that Azythromiacin? That is the only one my youngest will take. He didn't mind Amoxacillin, but it turned out he was allergic to it.
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-Stina
From Sweet Grass to the Packin' House
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. -Proverbs 15:1
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RE: When even a spoonful of sugar won't make the medici... - 9/26/2008 5:18:26 PM
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garsyt
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Yes.
My younger three can't take any penicillin based medications and my eldest dd can't have anything sulfa based.
Blessings,
Garsy
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