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PDyer
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| Posted: Feb 02 2010 at 10:51am | IP Logged
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How do you help a child who is of an age where they are expected to be able to swallow pills by medication manufacturers but just can't seem to do it? We've been working on this for years, and he just gags with anything larger than a old-fashioned aspirin. I can see the tension in his face and throat, and he thinking and trying too hard, I think. Any tips are welcome. We've tried washing it down with applesauce, chocolate sauce, you know it. I'm at a loss.
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Patty
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Paula in MN
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Can you cut the pills so they are smaller?
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 Paula
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Mackfam
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I'm not good at all at taking pills, and I have a son who is the same way. I use a good marble mortar and pestle, grind up the pills, and then mix it in with something like a smoothie or orange juice. I don't do this with everything...but if there's a pill that my son has to take, this is how I've gotten around it.
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SusanJ
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I have the same problem. Can you request a filled capsule from the pharmacy? I could never deal with the edges of the hard powder catching on parts of my mouth. And if the capsule still won't go down they are easy to pull apart and pour the contents into applesauce or something.
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SusanJ
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Also--most pharmacies sell a pill cutter if you want to go Paula's route.
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PDyer
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Paula in MN wrote:
| Can you cut the pills so they are smaller? |
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No, the pills in question at this moment specifically say they aren't to be crushed, chewed or broken.
The last antibiotic he was asked to take was a capsule, I think, and he had such a hard time with it we called the doctor and asked for a liquid version just to get him through the course.
He takes pills/capsules so infrequently (praise God) we forget how difficult it is until he has to take something, and then there's the pressure and the struggle. Poor guy.
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Patty
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dakotamidnight
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I'm in my 20's and still can't do pills. So not much help here. I either crush or ask for a liquid version.
But I will say that if he persists having issues with swallowing pills {and food as well at times} have his thyroid checked for enlargement. I never was able to swallow pills and it turned out to be a large goiter blocking part of my throat that was missed on regular checkups.
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anitamarie
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We just went through this with our oldest. We eventually got him to put it way back on his tongue and swallow it with yogurt. But, this only works with pills that can be taken with food/dairy. He was quite proud when he finally got it.
Anita
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JodieLyn
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Part of the problem is that they can stick to your tongue.. so putting it way in the back of your mouth seems to help but by the time you get fluid in there.. the pill is stuck and then lifts and floats around instead of going down. Part of it is simply being able to swallow any bit of thing.. Usually it's a bit easier from the front of your mouth because it's easier to get it floating.. and with a smaller amount of water so that you don't lose control over where it is in your mouth.
It's always weird saying this for kids but.. it's like taking a shot of alcohol. You don't sip it in.. you tip your head back and toss it down your throat. In many ways taking a pill is the same way.
Another thing is have you tried a "spoonful of sugar". That's how my grammy gave pills when I was little. Not sure why it helps over something like applesauce or such.. but it did help.
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florasita
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usually we do the place on very back of tongue and take a swig of juice . I am like this dh and some of the kids can just swallow a dry pill.
when ds was 3yo and he was on anti biotic for 3 months the pills were huge . the only way was to give it like you would a cat or dog . I had to hold his head tilted and basically place it right at the back of the tongue as far back as my finger could reach . I was surprised at how well the pill did go down . again he'd have a drink afterwards but it was like he had an atuomatic reflex to swallow when it went in that far back .
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organiclilac
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I have heard of people having their kids practice with a frozen pea or blueberry every morning with breakfast. It's less intimidating than a pill when you're still trying to get the hang of it. I've been meaning to start this for ds.
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amarytbc
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My aunt buried my cousins in ice cream. I have a 12 yo who struggles with this and when they can't give us liquid I have had success burying it that way.
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: Swallowing pills
