M’s daily batch of medicines
Today’s post was going to be a relatively short one. One to just give you a glimpse of the amount of medicine M takes every day. One to raise your awareness of the medical impact of this condition; but the thing is, taking 9 medicines on a daily basis is never going to be a short story, even though compared to some EGID children, this isn’t necessarily a lot. M does a great job of taking his daily doses and has moved on from last summer’s need for Grandma’s jam to being grown-up enough to take his capsules the “adult” way, sometimes even swallowing both of his lunch tablets at the same time – something I don’t think I could do. I’m also going to attempt to explain what each medicine does and why he takes it, but keep in mind that I’m no medic and so my knowledge is that of an EGID Mum, nothing more.
| Medicine | Dose | When taken | Why? |
| Calcichew D3 | 1 tablet |
|
A calcium supplement to ensure calcium intake is sufficient to protect bones due to malabsorption issues |
| Movicol | 1 sachet mixed with 65mls milk |
|
An osmotic laxative, which means that they relieve constipation by drawing water into the bowel to soften stools. Used to ensure M doesn’t get impacted again and we can adjust the dose as we need |
| Cetirizine | 5mls |
|
This is an anti-histamine and is used to reduce or relieve the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Typically used to help skin reactions and hayfever. |
| Ketotifen (Zaditen) | 5mls |
|
This is an anti-histamine and is used to reduce or relieve the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Typically used to help symptoms of allergic rhinitis. |
| Nalcrom (Sodium cromoglicate) | 1 capsule |
|
An anti-allergy medicine specifically used to prevent the symptoms of food allergy. It works to prevent the allergic reaction happening when food is eaten |
| Lansoprazole | 1 capsule |
|
A Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to reduce the amount of acid produced by the lining of the stomach when digesting food and thereby reducing acid reflux |
| Senokot | 5mls |
|
A stimulant laxative used to encourage the muscles of the bowel to move the stools through the body and prevent constipation. Again, we are able to adjust the dose as M needs |
| Neocate Active | 1 sachet mixed with 300mls water |
|
An elemental feed that contains amino acids, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins and minerals. Used to provide dietary supplementation for children with multiple food allergies. In M’s case, we believe that this is what helps him maintain his weight |
| VSL #3 Probiotic | 1 sachet mixed into his Neocate |
|
A probiotic supplement frequently used in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). It works by forming a protective barrier on the walls of the GI tract |
As well as keeping on top of all that and making sure M has the right medicines in the right doses at the right times, we also have to make sure he’s eating well and nothing creeps into his diet that shouldn’t. Tonight was “Film night” at school and I was the parent standing at the tuck shop, scanning the ingredients of each and every item being sold to check what was and wasn’t M-friendly! In comparison, our meals today were a lot easier:
|
M |
Me |
Mike |
|
| Breakfast |
|
|
Bowl of:
|
| Lunch |
|
|
|
| Dinner |
|
|
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| Snacks |
|
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7 years to diagnosis 