My oldest daughter (13 yr.s) had surgery to remove part of her small intestine. She seems to be pain free now and not taking any meds. Now, my youngest daughter (11yrs.) had an endoscopy and since he knew the older one had crohns he said "yep, it's crohns" Now, my youngest is so depressed. She know first hand what her future is going to be like. She has been throwing up and not eating for days. She is scheduled for a colonoscopy in 10 days. Her gastro. doc just prescribed her entocort. She is having a hard time swallowing the pills. I'm just at a loss here and feel very depressed myself. I thought we were going to have a normal life now. How do I get my youngest daughter to swallow these pretty large capsules? She has to take three of them.
Q: How do I get my 11 yr. old to swallow entocort pills?
Hi Debbie,
You're in a tough spot. But, first, I guess I have question if your youngest daughter has really been truly 100% diagnosed with Crohn's yet. From what you've written she hasn't, the doctor is just assuming because of your older daughters Dx. Maybe you'll have to wait to push the pills on the 11 year old until she has the colonoscopy and all other relevant tests to say that she does or does not have Crohn's.
If she does and has to take these pills, then I think you might need to consult with the doctor about the problem she is having taking the pills. Maybe he has some "trick" to help her swallow the pills. Or, maybe having the doctor really explain to her why the medication, hard as it is to swallow, is so important for her take.
I would also suggest that you find her a good psychologist to talk to about all of this - if you find she does have Crohn's. I saw one for the first 2 months after my Dx of UC and it helped immensely. Having already seen what her sister has gone through has set an idea in your youngests head of what is to come for her. And the reality for her may actually be quite different than it was for her sister. There really are no 2 people with IBD who react the same. But, this preconceived notion of reality with Crohn's that is in her head could become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I'd wait for that firm diagnosis, then have her doctor talk to her, and find her that psychologist who can help her in learning to live with a chronic illness.
Best of luck to all,
Elizabeth
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