Ughnasty Medicine. My 3 Year Old Spit All over Me.

this seems rather trivial and funny but i know of two way to stp the fussing.

I was told by the peds doc to put the meds back in her mouth and between her cheek and teeth. Its a natrual reaction to swallow. I also put a drink of her choice onthe counter and tell her after the meds gone she can drink the taste away. Also blow litely ontheir face, they will gulp and it goes down.

Hi A.,

I'm so sorry to find out that your son has asthma. My daughter is 12 and has been fighting asthma all her life. She usually ends up on steroids 2-3 times a year. here is some very important information for you.

YUK!!!!YUK!!!!!YUK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First and formost. You ned to be aware that prednisolone or prednisone can be a severe mood altering drug. My daughter also has adhd and odd. THis presents a real problem child when she is on the asthma meds. When she is at her worst, she will be using her nebulizer machine 6 times a day and on the steroids. Now, I have used the albuterol and had no side effects and other times it feels like I drank a pot of coffee (with one dose). Add steroids ontop of that and its like my child is on speed, excepts w/ an insatiable appetite. The appetite part is Very rare for my child. She can also get violent. This is really important. Nobody told me this information before I took the steroids. I took steroids for hives. My doctor told me that 1% of people turn euphoric. I knew that would not be me. She told me 1% can turn psycotic. We are getting closer. Other people may be calm in manner normally and become very loud and obnoxious.
It is unfortunately the only thing that will stop my child from getting pneumonia or admitted into the hospital. The first time we had this medication was in the hospital. She was 2 years old and they gave it to her in an IV. Nothing like making it easy for them. So, here is the trick we learned. Its called the m&m medicine. The doctors suggested hiding it in chocolate milk. Obviously he had not tried the medicine himself. She would not drink the milk. Or would take a few sips and throw up. I tried hiding it in applesauce, chocolate pudding. None of these things worked. Have you tasted the medicine yourself. I ran my finger along the rim of the medicine bottle and licked my finger. I had heart burn for 3 hours and kept burping up the taste in my mouth for 3 hours. Now to expect my child to take this medicine was no easy thing to do. I understood completely. This is a child who said ow when they put her iv in. This is a child that has no problem going to the doctors, even enjoys it. Now she takes pills. The sooner your son learns to swallow pills, it will be alot easier. It lessons the taste but you never get rid of it.

A little bit of sugar helps the medicine go down, We agreed that she could have 10 m&m's if she did not throw up her medicine. I think it only took 2 more times and she was no longer throwing up. You could pick anything that is a childs favorite. I found the chocolate hid the taste long enough to forget about it. Even now when she takes her steroid pills, she asks me is this my m&m medicine. I could get her to take it now w/out the candy but we limit candy in the house. Why not give her something to look forward to when she is sick.

I wish you luck. This has not been an easy road to travel. I am willing to talk if you have other questions regarding asthma. My daughter was considered the worst asthmatic in Jr. High last year. She jokes about it. She says now I can be proud of her accomplishments. I have been thru lots of conflicting advice from many doctors and have been to see multiple pulmanary specialists. Hang in there, WEAR THE SHOWER CURTAIN, when you give the medicine in the bathroom. And I will pray for you and your son that this tip works :)

H. B.

PS. mY DAUGHTER WOULD TELL ME THAT EVERYTHING WOULD TASTE LIKE CRAP AFTER HER BREATHING TREATMENTS, SO WE TRYED TO ARRANGE SNACKS AND MEALS BEFORE HER TREATMENTS.

My 2 1/2 yr old has to take that from time to time when she has an Asthma flar up. I told her that only really brave strong kids can that this and she would have to be very tough to do it. I make a big deal about how proud I am of her and how strong she is to take such horrible stuff. and she takes it. You can't hide that taste in any thing it really is the worst stuff. If he won't take it I have heard there are better tasting more expensive medicans that so the same thing. but I have never gotten the dr to give it to us.

I read in one of those baby magazines (I think it was American Baby) to put juice or kool aid in ice cube trays and put the right dosage of medicine in each cube.. Then freeze it..
I havnt tried it yet, but the next time my son needs medicine, I am going to try it... He spits the medicine out when ever I try to give it to him too... He LOVES ice cubes, and popsicles.. It may work for you too...
Hope this helps

Is it liquid alberturol (sp). My 2 1/2 son takes this and I mix it in apple sauce and or yogurt and just put a little drop on every bite. Another thing that works well is if you stick your finger in his mouth on the side press down on the gum as far back as possible it causes a natural reaction and forces the child to swallow. But be careful you dont get bite, this works well with babies as they are easier to hold down and have less teeth back there. I have also heard of giving ice cream or popsicle first as it numbs the mouth making medicine easier. Best of luck

Is it orapred or prednisone? My son has asthma and is constantly on orapred (about 40 times already and he isnt even 2 1/2) Fortunately I dont have a hard time getting him to take his meds...he is a pro at them and NEVER causes a fight over taking them. it is alright to mix it (if it is prednisone or orapred) in food so maybe try mixing it in yogart or pudding...do you think he would eat it then?

My son had to take the steriod meds a few months ago and they are gross. I tried eveything, I went threw the entire bottle in 2 days just trying to get him to take it. Then I mixed some food coloring in it and made it blue, he loved the idea and would at least take a little bit of it. You can always ask the doctor if you can give him a shot, that is what I have also had to do in the past.

My son also had asthma and hated the liquid meds. I taught him at an early age to swallow capsules. The pharmacy gave me some empty capsules to practice on and I was amazed at how easily he was able to just swallow it. I don't think he was as young as your son but it is worth a try. Good luck

M.