For the record, I'd rather stab myself repeatedly in the eye with a dull pencil before doing this again. I'm pretty sure those 4 hellish hours have won themselves the title of 'Most frustrating experience of my mothering career'. It's a pretty prestigious award, so why don't I explain how I received it, in case anybody out there would like to try for one.
This last weekend Mason was given a new medication. The old one wasn't meeting his current needs so we felt it was best to try something new. Well. Apparently Mason didn't agree. The new pill is hardly any bigger than the old pill. But it's not a pill that can be crushed or chewed, it has to be taken whole. It's smaller than a tic tac, just to put things in perspective. So yesterday morning while getting ready to send my little heathen off to school we had him take his pill. Or try to. Over and over and over....
He couldn't...no, make that WOULDN'T take it. And short of waterboarding the kid, we tried EVERYTHING! He put it under his tongue, back of the throat, head tilted back, wrapped it with food, drank through a straw, you name it....we tried it. He must have gone through 4 glasses of milk and juice trying to get it down, to no avail, might I add. An hour and a half into it he had managed to throw apple juice all over the kitchen, spit milk all over us, spill water all over himself, and STILL hadn't swallow the pill. By this time Mason's crying, he's late for school, I'm bawling, Jordan's frustrated, and the pill is sitting on the table taunting us.
So I did what any over emotional and crazed mother would do....I took him to the doctor. Now I love our doctor, he really is amazing and has done so much for our children. Buuuuuut the last time I took him in because I was concerned about the medication and weight loss he prescribed ice cream before bed time. Yeahhh. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when he prescribed BRIBERY yesterday. WTF? So my kids a turd, won't take the friggin pill (when I know he can because he's ALWAYS taken pills) and not only do I have to give him ICE CREAM but I have to buy the little delinquent a TOY??? That's it...I need to see some diplomas or evidence of schooling because that's a steaming pile of dog crap. So glad I paid a $20 copay for that crap. But I'll try it. Because I'm desperate.
So we tried again last night. Only this time we used tic tacs so he was just having candy instead of the dreaded medicine. Again, we tried everything. We tried so hard to make it FUN! We wrapped it in candy, hid it in applesauce, offered him treats, toys, MONEY....ANYTHING. Sigh. Nothing worked. So one crazy mother, one exhausted son, one sexy father (yeah I said it), four horrid hours and endless tears later....we called it a day. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when Jordan came out this morning with this fantastic ghetto rigged creation....

The pill launcher 3000. Simply stick it to the back of the mouth and push the lever in and this high powered machine launches that pill straight to the back of the throat, wash it down with some milk, and you're good to go. No if, ands, or buts. The crazy thing is that Mason loved it! He thought it was cool!! WTF? So mommy gives you candy, toys, sunshine, and friggin' rainbows, and I get NOTHING! But daddy chokes you (not really, no need to call cps just yet) and you think it's COOL??? Sigh....whatever works. At least he took the dang pill.











my sister had the same problem when her son first started taking his ADHD medicine. He couldn't swallow the pill, he would trow up trying to. Finally they switch meds to one you could break open and put into chocolate pudding. He also has aspergers syndrome which makes it a bit harder. But we feel for you, my nephew isn't mine to deal with but I've been with her during the attempts to get him to swallow. I felt so bad for them both.
ReplyDeleteI would have thought that the wrapping it in food would work! That thing is awesome!
ReplyDeleteBeen there and done that, and I so feel your pain. I have two boys on ADHD medication, and I don't think I have EVER, and I mean E-V-E-R reached the level of frustration that I experienced trying to get a pill down my kids throat. Especially when you know dang good and well that they can swallow it cause they were able to swallow the other prescription, and this pill should be easier! I resorted to holding him down, forcing him to open his mouth, my husband threw it in, and then we both blew in his face so that he HAD to swallow. Three days of that and then the child just swallowed and started screaming "I did it! I did it!"....Are you freakin' kidding me? I think your hubby's contraption there is a better alternative! :)
ReplyDeletehaha... I used to have a hard time swallowing pills too... my mom would buy baby aspirin and cut it in half and make me practice (in small doses)
ReplyDeletedispensing medicine is a freaking nightmare. jordan is a genius, and super cool dad, to come up with something that makes your life so much easier! lucky you!
ReplyDeleteJordan rocks the casbah
ReplyDeleteI am laughing so hard! My daughter's doc gave me a prescription for a pill and a cream for an infection she had, and she would have to take the pill if the cream didn't work. The cream ended up working, and she still freaked over how she might have to take a pill!
ReplyDeleteYou forgot the part where you almost killed me by throwing a delicious delicious Orange Tic Tac into the back of my throat while I laid down to show Mason how easy it was to swallow it!!
ReplyDeleteBy far the worst experience EVER.
FARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i would have pulled my hair out at this situation! but the solution was brilliant!
ReplyDeletei remember when i was a kid that all the parents fawned about me when they saw how good i was at taking allergy pills. i could not understand the fuss and couldn't fathom why pill taking was so TRICKY for others, but now i get it. at least a little bit.
that thing scares me...just don't shoot it down his trachea! That would be a big mess.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we've only had to use liquid meds - poor mommy!
ReplyDeletehttp://media.photobucket.com/image/david%20hasselhoff/admittedlyhawken/david-hasselhoff-07.jpg
ReplyDeletethought you might likey lol
This story is funny to me b/c I had the hardest time learning to swallow pills and still find it tough to swallow anything larger than my b.c. pill. Maybe you guys should patent and sell that little contraption!
ReplyDeleteHoly shit, that's the funniest story ever! I can almost feel your frustration! Your posts always make pee come out of my nether regions and water out of my nose.
ReplyDeleteMy sista, I can't wait to see what you have in store for me.
dude if i was a kid again, i would be terrified of that thing.
ReplyDeleteyou need to patent that thing. you could make a hundred million dollars.
ReplyDeleteXO
Leigh
Oh geez, I could not swallow pills when I was a kid, drove my parent nuts! Nice doc, prescribing ice cream and toys, where was he when I was little?
ReplyDeleteBoys are so funny. Bribery? No. Rocket launcher that shoots said pill into the back of the throat? Yes please!
ReplyDeleteI have been reading your blog for a few weeks.. (found you over at Brookes blog) anyways.. I have to say sometimes your life totally reminds me of mine minus the fact that I don't broadcast it publicly on a blog! LOL!! I laughed so friggen' hard when I read this because we had the same problem with my son taking pills... you crack me up pretty much daily! LOL!
ReplyDeleteyour son was making me frustrated just reading this (outta love).
ReplyDeletelike you, i woud have also been crying!
so glad with the help of your hubby he finally got it down! little stinker butt! ;)
Ok so...maybe like ummm 23 years ago, there was this lil girl named Elizabeth Marie and she was just a doll, really, a GEM. And she might have kept her Mom and Dad in the kitchen and different bathrooms for 5 hours because she couldn't swallow a pill. Her Mom might have started crying. She still might not be able to forget the frustration and just...exhaustion in her father's eyes. Now 28, STILL A GEM, might I add, she swallows pills like a champ. And is now forwarding this blog to her dad at work.
ReplyDeleteAhhh memories. :)
I will use this idea in the future. I foresee this as an upcoming issue for my son. Love the short of water boarding comment.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure you aren't describing giving a pill to my cat? Because seriously, short of the money bribe, we've done it all - even tried starving him for 2 days and then crushing it up in food (he starved himself for 2 more days).
ReplyDeleteWhile a cat is certainly not a child, I can so feel your frustration, I remember sitting on the floor covered in fur, cat drool, and my tears. It's kinda funny now - not so much at the time.
Hope the Pill Launcher 3000 continues to be COOL!!!
Girl we went through the same damn thing with Tre. Seriously, it was like you were in the room with us and describing Tre "attempt" at swallowing a pill. The exact reason that 1. we tried the patch frist and 2. We tried medidate CD and 3. are now on Adderall cause you can open that sucker up and sprinkle it in thier mouth, or food. Yup. Nothing else worked. All the others you cant open because of the time release crap. ugh! Sorry you had to go through that too. I used to blame MY genes for Tre... I think I am going to start to blame YOUR side!! lol Love you guys. Hug my crazy nephew for me! xoxo Miss you tons!
ReplyDelete*hugs* it can be really frustrating to try to get a kid to take medicine & more so if they do it for Dad & not you.
ReplyDeletewell, I'm 21 and my mom still gets annoyed at how hesitant I am to take pills. If I can crush them or drink something, any alternative to swallowing a pill... count me in!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I tagged you in my latest post, check it out (=
Medicine and kids are the worst combination ever. I feel your pain. But that is one tricked out pill launcher!
ReplyDeleteWhat ever works I say.
ReplyDeletexx
I can't believe that works. That's messed up.
ReplyDeletei hope if and when i have kids i'm as funny as you are. you seriously make having kids COOL and that's saying a LOT from me because i'm not one to want kids but yea i'm rambling...ANYWHOOZLE...
ReplyDeleteyou're awesome! so glad we found each other in this crazy blog world. thanks for sharing your TMI story. it was HILARIOUS!
ps. that doctor sounds like a sitcom character. seriously, he prescibed you bribery? LOL!
ReplyDeleteThat was hilarious! I'm so sorry you had to go throught that, but what a great idea! The pill launcher. I'll have to remember that one!
ReplyDeleteHow funny! I can't believe the pill launcher worked! That is absolutely amazing. I dread the day when I have to teach my son things like that... potty training, pill swallowing, all of that fun stuff. And by the way, who is your doctor? I want him for my pediatrician! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI hate that when that happens. Why do Daddy's gotta be so darn smart and creative?
ReplyDeleteI sometimes have the same problem and yet I swallow pills all the time - well, not ALL the time (and they are technically vitamins- figured I'd better specify that ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love it. That is so great - Jordan should market them - mom's across the world would buy them! LOL
ReplyDeleteMaybe you guys should patent that and sell it. : )
ReplyDeleteThat is one cool invention. Totally need a patent. :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously...just how did he rig that?
ReplyDeleteI would have done it the way I do with the dog, crammed it in the back of his throat and held his mouth closed, rubbed his throat until he swallowed, cuz I'm gentle that way, and that's how I roll! =)
ReplyDeleteIs it sad that I still hate swallowing pills? I would rather suffer with a headache then go take some damn Tylenol. Seriously...Im a big baby and need one of those pill shooters
ReplyDeletethat's what I did to my cat. ROTFL Only it was a pill launcher 1000 so not as cool
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was talking about how much she used to hate taking pills not five minutes before I read this. Coincidences like that make me nervous. Lots of things make me nervous. Lucky for me I have NO problem swallowing pills...
ReplyDeleteI had - not a doctor, but a diet counselor for a well-known weight loss program - suggest I take up smoking. (long story...) I guess that's a LITTLE worse than suggesting bribes. Or ice cream for weight gain...
What a cool idea! The only experience I've had with trying to get someone to take a pill was my dog...and the vet always said, "Get it to the back of her throat." HUH? Yeah, like THAT's easy. This sounds like a great way to do it.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I love the ingenuity!! That's a good man right there. Doing whatever it takes for everyone to CALM DOWN. Wonderful story.
ReplyDeleteWow, what an ordeal! And I thought Potty Training was difficult :) I love the Pill Launcher :)
ReplyDeleteMan I can imagine how frustrating that would be. However I am exactly the same, I cannot swallow pills, I just can't do it, I crush painkillers mix them with sugar and swallow them with a drink. There's no other way, otherwise I just choke on them. I think I need the pill launcher :P
ReplyDeleteSE x
haha, for some reason this reminds me of arrested development and GOB is trying to swallow a key!
ReplyDeletethat pill launcher 3000 is totally fetch!
I used to hate swallowing pills when I was little.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom also tried everything but I still spit it out.
I'm grateful my son doesn't have the problem. He takes his Vyvanse easily.
Hahah! I'm exhausted just reading this! Good Lord....
ReplyDeleteI am with you on this one...I dread giving my kids meds even in non-pill form. And it's just enought to piss you off when you try for hours to get the kids to do something(like take meds) and then the hubster comes along and gets r done in a hot second!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!!
Smooches,
Sassy Chica
UMMM....hear the story but you have to SEE it to believe it...lady that is hilarious!!! seriously...oh my....hahahaha!!!
ReplyDeletethat thing scared me...and I am certainly not a kid..WOW. Good luck!!!!
ReplyDeleteDude, I selfishly hate it when Daddy can do something Mommy can't.
ReplyDeleteOMG major props girl! I don't know if I could have handled that :) the pill launcher is so fricking funny..very cleaver :) I'm glad you are able to make him take it now!
ReplyDeleteHey Alicia - sorry to hear about your 4 hours of frustration yesterday but I know exactly how you feel - we had the same experience with my son when he was taken meds for his ADHD when he was younger and the ONLY thing we could EVER get him to take it with (while he was little) was Mountain Dew. I'm not kidding you - that was the ONLY thing girl - so congrats to the hubster for concocting something COOL that your son will use to take it. Hang in there - it DOES get easier - now my son can pop it to the back of his throat and takes it with water! LOL Hugs!
ReplyDeleteHere's something I bet you didn't know...it never goes away. When Hubby has to take a pill he has to take it with cookies or peanuts or chips or some such nonsense. Poor (annoying-grow-up-already-jeez-dude) baby!
ReplyDeleteLOL poor you and kid and kuddos to daddy for his great idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I have no issues with that b/c my mom and some friends have the worst time taking pills. I take 3 or 4 at a time with no problem and I pray that my kids it's like me.
I love the Mason stories. I have a Mason and it must be in the name because I think our Masons' were cut from the same mold
ReplyDeleteHow can I ever repay you? Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I got your present today. YOu crack my shit up! I have had a permagrin since the moment I got home!! Love you girl! I posted pics on my blog. Mwah!
ReplyDeleteOMG. 2 word for the hubs... SHARK TANK.
ReplyDeleteDuh Mom you should have thought about a pill launcher, how silly of you! :) lol
ReplyDeleteOh, I HATE pills. The first time my mother got me to take an ibuprofen was when I got my period. But since he's taken pills before I think he was holding out for gifts and cash!!! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL!!!!
ReplyDeleteSorry to laugh at your expense, but hey....
;-)
I had to check out your commenters!! I love them all. You found a good posse to hang with. Nice!!
ReplyDelete