Pico-Salax

[Twiggy930]

Does anyone out there have any suggestions on how to get a 10 year old to drink the Pico-Salax? My son has always had a really hard time eating or drinking anything that he dislikes (I think he is a super taster). It took 2 hours to get the first dose of Pico-Salax into him and he was supposed to drink it in 1/2 hour! By the end of it he as nearly hysterical. Now we have to do the second dose...

He is going tomorrow for a scope and because of suspected Crohn's.

 

[Trysha]

Hi Twiggy,
Do you have any Gatorade (must not be red or purple) you could mix it with some of the Gatorade, might help the taste.
Also if he drinks it through a straw this might help to get it down faster.
You could also use Rose's lime juice diluted before using.
He can have a hard candy, clear and again no red or purple, once the drink is down.
Also jello may help after the drink is down.
You don"t say your geographic area, different countries have different names for things.
Hope this helps.Hugs and best wishes Trysha

 

[Dexky]

Hi Twiggy, welcome to the forum! My son did it the first time at 10 as well. He had a really strong gag reflex but the Gatorade really seemed to help. Just to be safe, you can buy the clear stuff. Good luck! Let us know how his scopes turn out!

 

[Twiggy930]

We tried it in really flat 7-Up but he threw it up right away. Now we have to start again

 

[Dexky]

We can send a man to the moon, communicate with people all over the world instantly, map DNA sequences etc., etc. but we can't come up with a palatable scope prep!!! WTF!!!

 

[Crohn's 35]

Well I can help a bit. The new flavour is cranberry and it doesnt taste bad but this morning I had to take it, make it as cold as you can (takes the taste away a much as possible ) and get him to plug his nose and wait a few minutes, makes it so much easier.. I did it, shuddered a bit after but I did it. I know your not supposed to but right after I chewed some gum and (dont let him swallow it) my scope was clear as a bell! Good luck!

 

[Crohn's Mom]

Awe Twiggy,
I'm sure I'm too late now for any tips since I'm coming along a bit late...I just wanted to wish you luck with the scope and I sure hope things settled with getting the dreaded prep down
I sure hope he wasn't too traumatized by the experience ! There are a few of us moms around here that love to bribe, bribe and bribe some more on prep days ! And maybe even a little something afterwards if we feel the need!

Please let us know how his scope went
big hugs

 

[Twiggy930]

Well we got through the prep and the scope. He has now been officially diagnosed with CD. It is in his esophagus too which I wasn't expecting. Came home with a wack load of medication and I can probably count on one hand how many times I've filled a prescription for him in the past! So I now need any and all tips on how to get kids to swallow pills, he HATES it! It took 3 attempts to swallow one pill tonight, tomorrow he's got to do 14!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trying hard to stay positive (said with tears on face) :yfrown:

 

[Catherine]

We were told pills could be put in soft food like custard. Can his pills be taken with food.

 

[Dexky]

A mouthful of chewed food works for me but my son couldn't/wouldn't do it. He'd drink water and spit and gag with every pill. Now, he can take ten pills faster than I can chew a mouthful of food!! He'll find what works best for him Twiggy and it will get better with time Hang in there...mom(I assume, cause it usually is)!!

 

[Crohn's 35]

Awe so sorry this disease has hit your son. It is not fair, being so young. Some you can get in powder forms or liquids but I dont know in the states.

What meds is he taking?? Maybe someone can help.

 

[Crohn's Mom]

I'm so sorry to hear of your sons diagnosis
We will all be here to try and help you through it, and just know that now that you know why he's ill that now he can begin to get better and he CAN lead a perfectly normal life

I also agree with Dex with the pills ~ Gab (my daughter) couldn't/wouldn't swallow pills when she was 9. We did get what we could at the time in a powdered form, I'm not sure which ones are available still tho. But once she had no choice between pills and powder, and it was strictly pills, she found a way to take them and can take them by the handfuls now if needed It will just take a little time but your son will learn to do it.

Hang in there Twiggy, we're here for you. The tears will dry and you will find the strength to deal with it all ~ one step at a time. Try not to overwhelm yourself, just concentrate on learning about the disease and helping your baby. I'm sure you will see he, like the rest of our kids, is probably stronger than we are and will be running around saying "I'm fine, no big deal" soon enough

big hugs
xoxoxox

 

[Trysha]

Apple sauce can be a way of taking the pills if he will try it, might work for him.
So sad for a little one to be afflicted with this horrible disease.
Things will get better,but it takes time and patience.
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[Devynnsmom]

I'm sorry about the diagnosis
My 10 year old daughters GI told us to practice swallowing tictacs or small candies. She hasn't had to swallow pills yet though. We were talking about swallowing pills last night and she told me in her ever so drama queen way... *I'm NOT going to try swallowing pills, why would I take the risk of choking to death??*.. I explained to her that she would def not choke to death. But it didn't help lol I hope you find something that works. I usually put my other kids meds in a spoonfull of either apple sauce or pudding.

 

[izzi'smom]

I'm sorry about the diagnosis
My 10 year old daughters GI told us to practice swallowing tictacs or small candies. She hasn't had to swallow pills yet though. We were talking about swallowing pills last night and she told me in her ever so drama queen way... *I'm NOT going to try swallowing pills, why would I take the risk of choking to death??*.. I explained to her that she would def not choke to death. But it didn't help lol I hope you find something that works. I usually put my other kids meds in a spoonfull of either apple sauce or pudding.

:rof:

Sounds familiar lol!! We haven't mastered pills yet either.

OP, hoping things get easier for you. I still cry on hard days...but you will get through it. I am sorry that you have to deal with it at all...as Tess said, it is a rollercoaster ride. (((HUGS)))

 

[Devynnsmom]

Yes, she's a bit of a drama queen

 

[Twiggy930]

Swallowing Pills

Hello All,

Thank you so much for all of your tips and words of encouragement, it has meant a lot.

We had success on the pill swallowing front by putting them in a spoonful of Jello (thanks to all the Jello I had on hand due to the scope prep!). At our GI appointment yesterday I was alerted to a link about pill swallowing that looks pretty good. It is put out by the University of Calgary and the Alberta Children's Hospital. I think we will follow it and see if we can get him swallowing the pills without the Jello.

http://www.ucalgary.ca/research4kids/pillswallowing

 

[DustyKat]

Hey Twiggy,

I'm so sorry to hear of your boy's diagnosis. :hug:

It is so hard and heartbreaking Mum when you are told your child has Crohn's, I cried bucket loads and wondered how I would ever get through it but because they are our world you do. As time marches on you settle into your new norm and the laughter once again becomes a normal part of life.

Thanks for the link hun. I hope you don't mind me adding it to the helpful links thread.

Thinking of you, :heart:
Dusty. xxx

 

[LilyRose]

Hello,

I am so sorry that you son is having to deal with this condition. I think it is so hard for any parent to be faced with something like this. Allow yourself time to be upset about this, it's really normal to be sad and teary.But do take heart.Lots of kids, and adult, are getting on with life and crohns is not stopping them following their dreams.

I hope you have lots of lovely family and friends that can support you and your son. And I hope the medications soon have the crohns under control so he will feel better and so will you.

I'm sorry, I don't have any tips for swallowing pills, but I hope it gets easier soon for him. I know it is amazing what we can get used to with a bit of practice.



Take care of yourself, and let us know how you are going.
LilyRose