Vent! DD Has Strep Throat and refuses to take her medicine!

[Disneyrsh]

In the end she didn't negotiate. That child got her medication. If the mom and child are both comfortable with getting medicine that way, then where's the problem?

Well, first, I've seen the shot given, and it's not 'comfortable', and her first post is a long and detailed description of her negotiating with Celia, and losing out in every instance.

Kids don't come out of the womb "brats" (her word, not mine), it is learned behavior. I NEVER use that word with my kids, it's just an excuse for bad behavior. Like, what can I do, she's such a brat ? It's an abrogation of responsibility, like, I don't want to be bothered to change these bad behaviors in my kid, so I just label her that and call it a day.

The fact that she had to have the nurse and the doctor "tell" the kid that she needed to take the medicine is ridiculous, in my opinion. Obviously she's not an authority figure to her child and so she called people she felt her child would respect as authority figures to tell the kid what to do!

You know, I get people telling me all the time, "your kids are so polite and well behaved." Well, yeah, they didn't just spring from my womb like that! They can be complete hellions, but they know where the lines are and what's ok and what's not, and you can call it harsh, I call it discipline.

And isn't it funny how the word "discipline" has become a dirty word in our society? We can't even go to the movie theater anymore because so many adults are so spoiled and 'undisciplined' they can't even sit through a movie without being obnoxious, rude and selfish. Such a lack of respect, and we laugh and call it 'spirited kids'.

Yeah, my kids are spirited and wild, WHEN IT'S APPROPRIATE. And when they act horribly when it's not appropriate, then there are immediate, consistent consequences.

And no, I don't mean spanking them, I think that's a copout, 99% of the time. I mean IF-THEN. Like, If you don't stop screaming immediately, THEN you will not go out for ice cream with the rest of us tonight. And then, for God's sake, stick with it!

 

[kristen821]

Disneyrsh - I agree with your form of discipline. That works fine with my kids, but the op and myself do use the if-then when it comes to medicine. She told her daughter IF you don't take the medicine THEN you are going to get a shot becuse mommy wants you to feel better and not get even more sick. Next time the child can decide if they want the shot or to take the medicine. I honestly think my dd3 would prefer the shot. My dd has a very high tolerance for pain and would much rather have a shot then to take medicine. The shot didn't bother my daughter much at all. She barely cried and was fine as soon as she got a sucker after the shot. I think the shot was easier for both of us plus, there are also advantages to the shot. My ped. told me that it works faster then taking the medicine orally. You also only need to do it once instead of 20 times over the next 10 days. For my son who is disciplined the same way as my dd he would prefer the medicine then the shot and I don't have a problem with him taking the medicine at all.

 

[Judy from Boise]

The thigh does not have to be the only site used if the child has been walking for over a year. The gluteal muscles would be fine for most kids 3 and above. Also with some of the most uncomfirtable meds the shot can be prepared with lidocaine to lessen the sting of the medication going into the tissues.If it is pre-planned a parent could apply EMLA cream to the site to lessen the sting of the needle going into the tissue.
I am a big believer of injections for serious infections !

 

[#1MMFan]

Lidocaine / lignocaine doesn't work instantly and to be honest I wouldn't be happy to have that injected along with the antibiotic (plus a number of these things can't be mixed). Local anaesthetic itself stings initially! EMLA... hmm, never did find that worked particularly in my work in paediatrics; probably a psychological component to it. Nobody has yet quoted figures for percentage of complications arising from strep infections. I had a look into the Jim Henson thing, and true enough it was a strep infection... strep pneumoniae I believe (pneumococcus) but comparing it to a strep throat is like comparing apples and oranges.. just because similar groups of bacteria doesn't mean same virulence or same mortality. There are a whole load of factors involved. Unfortunately, I have to say, I feel that this shows that in some cases "a little knowledge" can be worse than no knowledge at all... in other words, armed with only some of the facts you don't always see the true picture.

 

[chobie]

I negotiate with my kids. I explain things to them amd let them make choices about many things. I'm a fairly permissive parent. My kids are well-behaved most of the time, do well in school, are happy and kind. It works for me, but personally I would never tell someone else how to parent.

 

[janette]

I had one of those kids too, the shot is always an option. You might have to hold her down but the nurses will help.

Have you tried seeing if she can swallow pills? When my youngest was about that age they were out of samples of the chewable or the liquid and our peds liked to send us home with that when they thought it might be strep and then call in the prescription later with the days they wanted. She said she could take a pill, the nurse showed her how and explained it and my DD just said she already knew how. They gave her the pill and she swallowed it like a pro, we've never had to worry about meds too much after that since you can't taste them much that way

 

[kristen821]

Lidocaine / lignocaine doesn't work instantly and to be honest I wouldn't be happy to have that injected along with the antibiotic (plus a number of these things can't be mixed). Local anaesthetic itself stings initially! EMLA... hmm, never did find that worked particularly in my work in paediatrics; probably a psychological component to it. Nobody has yet quoted figures for percentage of complications arising from strep infections. I had a look into the Jim Henson thing, and true enough it was a strep infection... strep pneumoniae I believe (pneumococcus) but comparing it to a strep throat is like comparing apples and oranges.. just because similar groups of bacteria doesn't mean same virulence or same mortality. There are a whole load of factors involved. Unfortunately, I have to say, I feel that this shows that in some cases "a little knowledge" can be worse than no knowledge at all... in other words, armed with only some of the facts you don't always see the true picture.

Just out of curiosity.. You said you worked in paediatrics. What would you recommend a parent does in this situation? Would you let the strep run its course? I have the same problem the op has with my daughter. Generally my dd3 is a great kid. But for some reason it is impossible to get her to take her medicine. She throws it up if i finally force it in her. She does have a very high tolerance for pain and the shot doesn't bother her much. How long does strep take to run its course. Back in August my daughter had a temperature I took her to the doctors and they tested her for strep which she did not have. For about six weeks after that she would get a temperature on and off so I took her to the doctors again and she had strep that time. She ended up getting the shot and was fine after that. Could she have had strep for 6 weeks or do you think it was just coincidence that she had strep that time and she just had a few bugs during that six weeks. Also, She did not complain about her throat hurting her at all. Actually you wouldn't have even known anything was wrong with her that whole 6 weeks if you didn't touch her and feel that she was warm. Thank you.

 

[bytheblood]

A good ol' spanking will fix that right up.

 

[kristen821]

A good ol' spanking will fix that right up.

Not for my daughter. I am telling you nothing works!

 

[robinb]

Thanks for the suport everyone .

Have you tried seeing if she can swallow pills?

I tried to get her to swallow pills about 6 months ago. Adult medication is less expensive and a child's dose is about 1 adult pill. Perhaps I can have the nurse teach her how to do it since I was such a failure! Any tips?

bytheblood, spanking doesn't work for us either .

 

[Judy from Boise]

Lidocaine / lignocaine doesn't work instantly and to be honest I wouldn't be happy to have that injected along with the antibiotic (plus a number of these things can't be mixed). Local anaesthetic itself stings initially! EMLA... hmm, never did find that worked particularly in my work in paediatrics; probably a psychological component to it. Nobody has yet quoted figures for percentage of complications arising from strep infections. I had a look into the Jim Henson thing, and true enough it was a strep infection... strep pneumoniae I believe (pneumococcus) but comparing it to a strep throat is like comparing apples and oranges.. just because similar groups of bacteria doesn't mean same virulence or same mortality. There are a whole load of factors involved. Unfortunately, I have to say, I feel that this shows that in some cases "a little knowledge" can be worse than no knowledge at all... in other words, armed with only some of the facts you don't always see the true picture.

If the manufactures have no problem with it, I don't either ! Of course you would have to follow the reccomendations, but I have seen it work well with Rocephin as an example. I have had good luck with EMLA cream if used correctly.Of course it was developed for accessing implanted ports, so at best it is a good topical anesthetic. But many kids are fine if they can't feel the "sting' of needle. Of course they will still feel the "pressure".
As for the rest.....do not fret i don't think anyone is going to start second guessing their personal MD because of "a little knowledge".

 

[MrsPete]

Thanks for the suport everyone .



I tried to get her to swallow pills about 6 months ago. Adult medication is less expensive and a child's dose is about 1 adult pill. Perhaps I can have the nurse teach her how to do it since I was such a failure! Any tips?

bytheblood, spanking doesn't work for us either .

When my mother learned that adult meds were much less expensive than liquids, she bought a big bag of M&Ms, sat us down and taught us to swallow them. We NEVER had candy in the house, so some bribery was involved, but every one of us learned to swallow pills in one evening.

 

[Marseeya]

When my mother learned that adult meds were much less expensive than liquids, she bought a big bag of M&Ms, sat us down and taught us to swallow them. We NEVER had candy in the house, so some bribery was involved, but every one of us learned to swallow pills in one evening.

I'll second the M&M trick, only now it's better because they make the minis.

My DS was a holy terror about swallowing pills until he was 13! We practiced on the minis, and I worked on my DD (then about 8) and she took to it really well. Once he got the minis down, he did the regular size ones and then we also tried Tic Tacs.

But the trick to it is to practice when they're not sick.

 

[Buckalew11]

I was never a good pill swallower. I think I would sort of panic and then it wasn't going down, no way no how.
DD's doctor told her if she could eat and ansd swallow, she could swallow a pill. Sure enough, the doctor was right and it hasn't ever been an issue. I can't imagine dealing with a strong will child like that. Hat is off to you, I'd lose it, probably. DD is an extremely easy kid all the way around.
I hope she is feeling better very, very soon.

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

Thanks for the suport everyone .



I tried to get her to swallow pills about 6 months ago. Adult medication is less expensive and a child's dose is about 1 adult pill. Perhaps I can have the nurse teach her how to do it since I was such a failure! Any tips?

bytheblood, spanking doesn't work for us either .

My DS5 was the same way about taking medicine!! At least the liquid and chewables... until we started giving him the swallow pill of tylenol/motrin the last time he was sick, and he did great! We put the pill whole in applesauce and he swallowed it with that (made sure he knew not to chew it), then took a sip of water. No problems. It was just amazing to us. He was also just on Keflex pills for 10 days, 3 times a day for an infection from falling on a cactus (weird, I know ), and he took all the pills with no problems. In fact, he would ask when it was time to take his pill!!! Hard to believe when this was the kid we were holding down to put medicine in his mouth before!! It was always such a struggle, I would really dread having to give him medicine.

I know exactly where you are coming from and know what it is like to have a "strong-willed" child. My son is so stubborn about EVERYTHING. Like myself, I am sure you are the best mom you can be, some personality traits are inborn IMO. Hang in there, hopefully things will get easier. BTW, your daughter is beautiful!






Jen

 

[mickeysaver]

My six year old can be a strong-willed child (*ahem* aka brat). Especially when she doesn't feel good. She has been home from school since Tuesday with a fever and I took her into the doctor yesterday. She has been fighting me about taking her Tylenol to bring down her fever all week. I bought the chewables and she hides them. I bought the liquid Tylenol and mixed it with OJ, but she wouldn't touch it. When the doctor prescribed an antibiotic yesterday while waiting for the quick Strep to come back, she asked my DD if she wanted liquid, chewable pills or a shot. My DD picked the chewables and I told the doctor about the Tylenol. The doctor stressed that she had to take this medication and Celia agreed.

Last night she threw 2 pills away in the garbage. I called the doctor and talked to a nurse who talked to my DD. She agreed to take the pills if she could eat frozen grapes with them. I did not keep my eye on her like a hawk (my bad, I know) so I am not sure if she ditched those too. This morning I gave her the grapes and pill again, turned off the TV and sat on the couch and waited. I told her she had the choice to eat the pills or get a shot that's going to hurt. My DD tried her best to annoy and pick a fight with me so I would turn my back, but it didn't work. After more than an hour one pill is missing (I don't know where it is) and the other is sitting on the table.

We have an appointment in 45 minutes for a painful shot in the butt.

*sigh*

Well, you know, this is a familiar story. I think that she might get the idea that just maybe taking a pill is not so bad afterall. Maggie

 

[mickeysaver]

I'm sorry you had to go through that, but it makes me feel better that I am not the only one!

As a medical assistant that works in a busy pediatric office, I can most definately assure you that you are not the only one. We get at least two kids a month that are torturing their mothers in the same manner. Maggie

 

[mickeysaver]

By the way, this is her third case of strep this year. The last one was Oct. 20. Anyone know at what point they start talking taking tonsils out?

Most of the time, I think it's three cases of strep in the previous 6 months or a combo of 6 cases of viral and bacterial pharyngitis/tonsillitis in the past year. You need to talk with your pediatrician about when would be a good time to go see an ENT. A lot of the guidelines are based on what is needed to make the insurance companies willing to cover the procedure. Maggie

 

[mickeysaver]

When I tell my kids to do something, they do it. None of this crap about refusing to do things or throwing pills away. I give them the medicine, they take it. No excuses, no fights, and no arguing. I'm the Mom, and I'm in charge.

It may suck to be them sometimes, but I'm flabbergasted you have to try and sit down in front of a computer to freakin' explain to your child why they don't want to get rheumatic fever and that they need to take their medicine, blah blah blah.

NO.

YOU are the PARENT.

YOU make the decisions.

They don't like it, tough noogies.

You sit that kid down on the chair, hand her the medicine, say "drink it" and stand there and watch her until she does. That's called being a parent. Your kid says no, she sits in that chair until she drinks/eats it, and I don't care if you have to stand there for hours, she doesn't move until she does what you say. That's how it works.

Go ahead and flame me, I don't care, because being a parent isn't about negotiation and placation, it's about raising a healthy kid who has respect for herself and others.

Preach it sister!

OMG, I wish that I could print this out and hand it out to half the parents in our practice. But, then again, that would be too much reality for most of them.

Nice job though. Maggie

 

[cruisnfamily]

Perhaps I can have the nurse teach her how to do it since I was such a failure! Any tips?

My tip~Use a straw! Put the pill(or M&M) in your mouth and then drink water thru a straw. We taught my DS how to swallow pills at age 6 with this trick.....of course this was after 2 days of practicing with mini m&m that he couldn't swallow. I called the Dr and they gave me the straw tip...he was able to do it the very first time he tried. He's 9 now and hasn't used the straw in a year or two.