Liquid paracetamol / sore throat

[SarahWP]

Hi all

I’m not expecting anyone to be able to help really but thought I’d give it a go. I’m on paracetamol suspension now due to slight swallowing difficulties. The first batch I had from my GP was fine - quite chalky but it went down easily. The batch I got this week however is different- the consistency and taste is more gloopy, like cough medicine. I took some last night, by syringe, and it immediately stung the back of my throat - it felt like it feels when you’re frying spices and the fumes make you choke. I kept coughing and started retching after a while. I tried drinking tea and eating yogurt and honey but nothing soothes it. I barely slept because every time I breathe in it hurts. It feels rough, like sandpaper. And it’s the same today. I can still drink and eat but it hurts to breathe in.

I’m hoping I just damaged my throat by coughing so much last night and am trying not to talk today, to give it a rest. But I’m stressing about it a bit because on Tuesday I’m going into hospital to have a PEG fitted which, as you probably know, is done by them putting a tube down my throat. I had an endoscopy a couple of months ago which really hurt and I struggled with the tube, gagging a lot, so I’m quite anxious about it as it is! I don’t know if I should get it checked out - either today or tomorrow, or just wait til I get to the hospital on Tuesday and let them decide.

As I say, it’s a bit unusual so probably no one can help but any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks all!
Sarah

[Terry]

Hi Sarah,

I have liquid paracetamol, I think that it is what they give to young children, Pink suff similar to calpol. It might be a little gloopy. I find it quite nice and good for the throat.

I wonder if you can thin it with water of a similar quantity. Also you might find it easier to drink it out of a small vessel.

Maybe ring your doctor and see what different options are available.

Probably best to wait till Tuesday now, larazipan might lessen some anxiety.

Love Terry

[Ellie]

hi Sarah,

Sorry you had this reaction. I suspect your throat is now irritated, hence it’s sore today.

Do you usually take your meds with a syringe? The reason I ask is it can shoot the liquid into your mouth rather fast and directly at the back of the throat, which isn’t great when you’ve swallowing problems. If it was citrus flavoured, maybe orange, or any strong flavour, this may have caused the reflex you had.

Can you get the old brand prescribed again? In the meantime, you could try mixing the dose into a small bit of thick yoghurt maybe, or maybe you could crush regular tablets and mix into yoghurt. There are also ‘Fastmelt’ tabs for kids (you’d need to take the equivalent of an adult dose), if you can manage those? I suspect you may have to buy those, rather than get them on a script??

Re the PEG procedure: it is usual to be sedated for the procedure, so you’ll be blissfully unaware of the endoscope. If your throat hasn’t fully recovered, you may find you’re a bit uncomfortable after it - you can get anaesthetising throat sprays, which might help you now.

I wish you well for Tuesday and at least you’ll have no more worries about oral meds!

Love Ellie.

[SarahWP]

Thanks both. I’m going to ask my GP if I can have the same suspension as last time - I’ve no idea why I had a different one this time. I think I must have damaged my throat by coughing so much which isn’t going to help on Tuesday. It’s just odd that it’s so sore after just one small incident.

I’ve had 3 endoscopies and last time was the only time it’s been difficult, even though I was sedated, hence worrying about the PEG procedure now - and I don’t normally worry about these things much. Hopefully it will all go well though and, as you say, at least taking medication needn’t be a problem from then onwards!

I think I maybe just need to pull myself together and stop being so dramatic! :-)

Thanks for your best best wishes. Xx

[Terry]

Hi Sarah;

It's normal to be anxious before a opp of any kind, even a small one. They can sedate you to different levels so speak to then beforehand on Tuesday.

I have damaged my throat through over coughing and it just gets worse the more you do.

Try to break the cycle, melting tablets might be the answer but only put a little in at a time till you get used to it because it can cause problems if you put a whole one in.

Your doctor probably wrote the same prescription out but the Pharmacist gave you a different make. Take your current one with you when you see the doctor so he can write down not that make, etc.

Love Terry

[Sheila]

Hi Sarah,
Sorry to hear about your sore throat, I hope you will feel better soon. I am sure everything will go fine on Tuesday. I haven't had a peg yet, so I would be very anxious, please let us know how you get on.
Sending best wishes
Love Sheila.

[Kayleigh]

Hi Sarah,

I hope your sore throat clears up soon and I hope everything goes well on Tuesday.

Love,
Kayleigh x

[SarahWP]

Thanks all. I feel I’ve made a bit of a fuss over nothing, as it’s just a sore throat - so sorry! I think I was just a bit alarmed by how it came on. I also hadn’t been sleeping well for a few days and was overtired so I think things got on top of me a bit, but I’ve given myself a stern talking to and pulled myself together now! :-)

Thank you for your lovely messages, you’re all so kind. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Have a great day everyone.
Sarah xx

[Terry]

Hi Sarah;

If I knew you better, I would say man up but I don't so I'll say "Person up". No, sore throats are bad for us as we can be oversensitive and coughing and straining can become a bad circle. Not easy to brake.

Keep us updated.

Love Terry

[Ellie]

Sarah, sounds like you're wearing your Big Girl Pants today

Hope everything goes swimmingly tommorrow - don't be a martyr to any pain, any where; ask for pain relief when it's needed. It's tough enough dealing with MND without pain, with pain it can open up a can of worms...

Love Ellie.

[Sheila]

Don't worry Sarah, we share all sorts of worries on here, and lots of rants. There is always kind words and advice. We all get our very bad days, but what can we do. Just try and take one day at a time.

Love Sheila

[Deb]

All the best for tomorrow, Sarah. Hope all goes well and you're back home soon.

Theres no need to say sorry on here. I dont think theres such a thing as making a fuss with MND as every new symptoms is scary, whether it's related to our MND or not. It's understandable that you're feeling anxious and overwhelmed and it's especially hard if you're not getting the right pain relief.

Love Debbie x

[Gillette]

Hi Sarah,

All the best for tomorrow. I had a PEG fitted four weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was - and I am the world's worst coward when it comes to having medical things done. In fact, years ago a consultant carried out an operation under a general anaesthetic because he said I wouldn't be able to have the lesser treatment because I was shaking so much with fear when all he was doing was examining me, So, when I say it was a doddle, it really was!

[mickmac]

Hi Sarah

I hope that the Peg goes well. With that in place you might be able to take liquid medications through the tube. If that's not possible I have found using a straw to suck up liquids is easier than using a syringe. I use a big straw used for smoothies for thick liquid. This depends on weather your suction is strong enough and if you are getting a feeding tube fitted it might not be but it is worth considering.

Mick.

[SarahWP]

Hi everyone, thanks for your encouraging words. Im so touched by how caring this Forum us. As it happens , when I went in yesterday they ended up not having a bed for me but promised me one today. So returned today and actually had the endoscopy procedure but they couldn’t fit the peg as my stomach wasn’t accessible- so I’m going to have to have it done surgically instead. After all that! The endoscopy bit was horrible again today but the care I received was outstanding.

To be honest, it's most likely my own fault they couldn’t do it as I’m overweight. Oh the shame!!

Has anyone had a peg fitted surgically? What’s it like? Any info gratefully received.

Thank you
Sarah xx