Friday, November 09, 2007

Any suggestions out there?

Well, James is a pretty easy going, lovable kind of toddler. Most of the time it is a pleasure to be around him. However, he has had more than his fair share of sickness. He's been hospitalized twice for croup/bronchial issues and last winter season he had 6 ear infections (some double and some single). So the problem....

He's had to take soooo much medicine in his short little lifetime and now it is almost impossible to give him anything unless the flavor is so mild that we can hide it in milk/applesauce/etc. Most recently, a cold worked its way through our household and james ended up with his first ear infection of the season. The Dr. and pharmacist said the medicine would be less effective if we put it in food. Hm, ok. We gave it to james and he immediately vomited his whole dinner on me and himself. Then we made some really, really chocolate milk and put the medicine in. We thought he'd love the chocolate milk-he's never had it before. He took one drink and spit it out on the floor. Ben tasted it and pretty much gagged too. He refused the applesauce that we put it in. (By the way, he isn't watching us when we drug up his foods.) We called the Dr. and asked for her advice, again, and since his symptoms were actually pretty ok, she said to wait on the antibiotic. We are giving him echinacea in his milk and putting homeopathic drops in his ears at night.

Oh, how I wish they made antibiotic suppositories! Or maybe patches like those made with nicotine. Something. I seriously don't know how to get medicine in him. Its not like I can prevent him from vomiting. Anyway, does anyone have any ideas on how to get the medicine in? I'm desperate for some suggestions....!

5 comments:

Ann said...

Ah! How terrible! The only time Colin was on antibiotics also caused vomiting and diarrhea.

Can they give infants antibiotic shots? I suppose your doctor would have gone that route if possible, so maybe it is not possible. Who knows. When do shots become an option? At least he could be held down and get it over instead of 10 days of fighting, but I do not know.

Sorry I do not have any advice, but when you get a chance, share some info on homeopathic ear infection prevention. (Carolyn was my long distance pediatrician when we were in Israel and she helped me realize Colin has a yeast infection, so thanks.) I think we are going to have Colin's ears checked tomorrow, and he smashed his toe today, so may as well be sure it is ok.

DanaLee said...

Does your pharmacy flavor the medications? At my Wal-Greens they have a huge list of the different flavors you get your liquid medications. Maybe you could find one that he actually liked??? Also, do they make his meds in pill form? You might find it easier to crush it up and get it down in one bite of applesauce that way. Just some ideas.

Janine said...

my only idea on this was if it was possible to get it in capsules instead of liquid, bust open the capsules and mix that into food... maybe that would work...

Sandy said...

My advice has nothing to do with the medicine, but preventing the ear infection. When I was a young mother, our oldest daughter was having a chronic ear infection problem. A wise friend and mentor (who had 5 children with lots of the same issues) suggested putting the mattress in the crib on a slight slant (one end 1 slot higher than the other). This allows gravity to help with nasal and ear drainage. We followed the advice and never had another ear infection in six children!

Crockett Clan said...

Zach is the same way. He can't even tolerate Advil or Dimatapp. You know me and I am always looking for ways to avoid the Dr. I use garlic oil. Remember glands, check bones and mouth. It even helps at the very onset of the sniffles. You could even use more in cooking. BTW James is a Swan and GGpa Walter Swan was VERY sensitive to drugs. He did not respond well to them at all. When ever he had surgury it would take him days--like 3-4-- to get the drugs out of his system. I have learned that I am that way and so is Cam and Zach. Just a thought.

For croup here are the homeopathy I told Ben about, they are my faves. Bryonia and Hep. Sulpher. Take Bryonia every 10-15 min until the congestion clears up and then follow up with Hep. Sulpher. The second will keep the drainage coming which is good. They are are by Hyland. Worth a try and cheaper than a trip to ER.

For those of you that don't know me I am Ben's oldest sibling and only sister. I have 7 kids and have been through MANY sick night,days and weeks.