Does anyone have advice on giving a little boy his antibiotics?
My 4-year-old's symptoms are getting worse and our LLMD has just put him back on antibiotics after a 1 1/2-year break.
He utterly refuses to take the meds - ceftin and biaxin. They're in liquid form.
We've tried to hold him down and squirt it down his throat (the LLMD suggested this) but he just spits it up and out and chokes on it. We've tried giving it to him in drinks and food - he's just too smart and knows the medicine is in there so he refuses to eat or drink it.
My husband and I have told him things like, "This will help your knees feel better and help you run really fast!" but he doesn't get the connection.
This is very hard for my husband and me emotionally. Anyone else have this problem?
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Can you resort to bribery? Give him something he wants each time he takes his meds.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
have you tried mixing them with juice and not telling him or chocolate milk??
if not you may have to go to pill form, then you can put it in peanut butter or even a hot dog.
children and pets are the worst for taking meds...
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
What about a rewards chart and a special treat each time he gets a certain number of rewards? Or a little treat each time he does it and a big treat each week? (not necessarily food - a little toy, or a trip to the playground)
Does your pharmacy offer flavors? Could you take him taste-testing, and have him pick out the flavor of the month?
I sympathize, this must be tough.
Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
My parents gave me licks if I didn't do as they said...
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
quote:Originally posted by ByronSBell 2007: My parents gave me licks if I didn't do as they said...
LOL!
I'd try the more positive reward approach first to avoid a power struggle, but Byron's got a point. I definately wouldn't allow him to do anything until he takes his medicine -- eat, drink, watch tv, play with games, etc.-- "You sit right here in this chair until you take the medicine."
The first day or two (if he's really stubborn), he might see if he can wait you out, but in the end you've established that he's going to do as you say.
My stubborn teenage son wouldn't cut the grass. I told him no dinner till it was cut and locked him out of the house. He waited till it was almost dark, I told him he could come in and eat when the grass was cut. He NEVER tried this a second time!
Posted by lymedad (Member # 8074) on :
Lymelady,
Tough nut to crack. Our daughter has at times been a real bugger when it comes to taking her medicine and she's 28 years old.
I know one of the symptoms of Lyme is irrational thought and behavior. Trying to convince a child who is sick that they need to do anything is not a simple task.
I appreciate the thoughts about the "tough-love" approach, but I also know how hard it is to do anything tough with a sick child, regardless of their age.
I wish I had a magic answer for you, but I don't. I can only wish you luck and lend my empathy to your situation.
LymeDad
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
I read your post with both empathy and trepidation.
My two young children (5 and 4) just tested positive for Lyme via Igenex.
They are the world's worst for taking medicines.
They were both on zithromax for bacterial pneumonia a while back.
That was a no go. I tried everything. Juice, icees, ice-cream, etc.
My daughter just would clench her teeth and refuse to let me put a spoon in.
My son would open his mouth and take his medicine (and the praise)
Then I discovered he was going straight to the bathroom to spit out the medicine.
I talked to the nurse. I got the "you have to show them who is who" lecture.
"just squirt it down their throat, hold their lips closed until they swallow it".
I then asked her if she realized that I was a Speech Pathologist....and that if my child
aspirated this med into her/his lungs, would she be willing to assume responsibility???!!!
I am not looking forward to the med battle (which I know is coming).
I did have the most success with zithromax with the strawberry liquid form of milk syrup.
I shudder to think of what our summer will be like.
Hang in there. I'll be doing this with you soon.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
Have you tried getting them compounded and flavor added? How about adding them to juice or rice milk?
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
Hey Lyme,
I first opend the capsules and mixed them with applesauce or yogurt. But you have to be careful with whether they need empty stomach or not, and what counteracts their efficacy...like no calcium, or other mineral or dairy products. Check first to see if there are limitations with adminstration.
I then went to a pharmacy that mixed the contents of the pills with organic fruit flavors. No matter how you slice it, you want one part fruit two one part med, because more part fruit just makes more diluted hell to take.
That worked for a little while. Then there was brute force. I mean...he was younger, about 2. He needed it. Every drop I lost I freaked about, and he would let it spit out down his cheek. Finally, my husband held his head, and I squeegied and ensured he swallowed. I held his tongue down, I think. It was awhile ago.
Try to appeal to taste, then incentives. If it doesn't work, don't punish, just immobilize and ensure swallow. Then kiss and praise. You gotta do what's best for your baby...you know this.
Peace,
2roads
Posted by Lisianthus (Member # 6631) on :
quote:Originally posted by sixgoofykids: LOL!
I'd try the more positive reward approach first to avoid a power struggle, but Byron's got a point. I definately wouldn't allow him to do anything until he takes his medicine -- eat, drink, watch tv, play with games, etc.-- "You sit right here in this chair until you take the medicine."
The first day or two (if he's really stubborn), he might see if he can wait you out, but in the end you've established that he's going to do as you say.
My stubborn teenage son wouldn't cut the grass. I told him no dinner till it was cut and locked him out of the house. He waited till it was almost dark, I told him he could come in and eat when the grass was cut. He NEVER tried this a second time! [/QB]
I agree with six!
He's 4.... um take away things he likes until he does what he's told. Or punish, it's not a game.
Have you ever watched Nanny 911.... she would never allow such behavoir. Be the parent.
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
Some of you have obviously never raised a very strong-willed, smart child. My middle one was the master of thinking outside the box, so we had to do likewise with him.
People told us to make him eat his veggies, don't let him leave the table until he does, he threw them up. Later I learned he has a very strong gag reflex (per dentist).
Luckily he was NEVER sick as a child. I can't imagine what getting meds down him would have been like.
Heck, we have had to try it with him as an adult, but that's his dad and I know it's not going to work. DUH!
As a teacher I say the rewards system is the way to go. There is something he will want, even if it takes five days of taking it to earn it. Make it so it's something he wants and not too long to earn it at his young age. They can't wait too long, or they give up.
Lots of luck to you!
Posted by robi (Member # 5547) on :
All great ideas!! I think you also need to explore why he won't take them. Of course, "why" is really irrelevant to 4 year-olds. You will have to figure out "why" and then try to craft a way of getting around it.
It could be as simple as the flavor (which you could mask).
It could be that he feels sick as soon as he takes it. Perhaps some stomach protection is in order.
It could be a million things. If you can figure it out, which you may be able to do, by asking questions like: "what happens after you take your medicine? " or "how does it make your mouth feel?" etc. etc.
As you know asking "Why?" is pointless. You have to give him ideas.
When you figure out what is bothering him, then the solution will hopefully be easier.
BTW, meds followed by a highly motivating activity, sounds like the best reward type program. Punishment rarely works long term.
hope this helps, robi
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
quote:Originally posted by lymednva: Some of you have obviously never raised a very strong-willed, smart child.
I can assure you I have. He was taking high school math in 7th grade ... I had to get very creative in discipline.
He needed to WANT to do it ... like the cutting the grass story. But, it's essential to avoid power struggles ... it's a simple, "This is how it is, take the medicine, then you can watch tv." Then NO arguing or pleading. This can, and if he's strong-willed, will go on ALL DAY. It may even take a couple days to get him to start the meds.
I would definately try a reward system first, but in the end, something more like this may be necessary. Rewards never once worked for my son.
This sets the tone for the future. I now have a well-adjusted, respectful 17 year old son. He's still smart and strong-willed, but he does as we say.
Like Lymedad said, it's harder to do because he's sick ... but at the same time, it's necessary for him to get better.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Sorry... gotta laugh here.
Randibear said...
"if not you may have to go to pill form, then you can put it in peanut butter or even a hot dog."
That's exactly what we do for the dogs to get them to take their meds.
Posted by lymeladyinNY (Member # 10235) on :
Thank you all, for the great suggestions.
I do feel like we traumatize our son every day giving him the meds and he IS acting out.
Of course, we will continue to give him the meds in any way we can, no matter what he thinks about it.
I have watched "Nanny 911" and have told my husband that the parents on this show must have the physical stamina to do what the nanny suggests.
I am very weak physically and feel that it's very difficult to parent effectively because of it. My husband is also physically and emotionally exhausted.
I bribed our son with "Shrek 3" today and it seemed to do the trick. I like the ideas of either rewards or withholding something special.
I just hope he gets used to the idea of taking meds soon and doesn't fight so hard anymore.
Thank you for the empathy, Lymedad and others who relate.
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Another suggestion -- could be more expensive, but might work -- could the meds be compounded and used as a skin patch? You could put one of those kids bandaids over the patch so it would look cool.
Bea Seibert
Posted by lymeladyinNY (Member # 10235) on :
Bea, I love that idea and will look into it. Thank you!
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
He was taking high school math in 7th grade ... I had to get very creative in discipline.![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)