Kate's Statement re Calpol

When asked, she said that before they left she took some precautions, namely placed the medicine inside a bag with a clasp in her room inside the wardrobe or the dresser. These were Calpol (paracetamol) and Nurofen (ibuprofen), for fevers and pains, both for adults and children (packages in liquid for the children). In this bag there was also a small pair of scissors. In the kitchen were cutting items that were used to prepare the meals and which were not put out of sight. During their trips it was normal for them to take these medicines. During these holidays she never gave any medicine to her children, nor did Gerry. She now says that Gerry also took medicine for acidity called Losec (omeprozole) which they also possessed."

I couldn't find the 48 questions but reading through Kate's statement found this interesting. also, Kate says Madeleine told her it was Amelie crying that night......just what is the truth ????

You have to read in between the lines Panda.


Stating that she made sure the medicines were put into the wardrobe is saying something else IMO.


Don't forget, Madeleine could off got up and gone Into their bedroom as the mccanns have stated which means she could also off got into the wardrobe...

kitti wrote:You have to read in between the lines Panda.


Stating that she made sure the medicines were put into the wardrobe is saying something else IMO.


Don't forget, Madeleine could off got up and gone Into their bedroom as the mccanns have stated which means she could also off  got into the
wardrobe...

kitti, I seem to remember the McCanns being asked by Sandra Figueras if they had given the children Calpol and they denied it. Obviously the twins were sedated which is why they didn't wake up during the commotion in the Apartment. I don't believe the Medicines were locked away for one minute , probably in the Medicine Cabinet .

Many parents take first aid items away on holiday such as plasters, antiseptic wipes, etc. because cuts and scratches are common on holiday. Also its common to take insect repellent and of course anti-vomit tablets for the change in diet problem. Although I have done the same I have not taken Calpol away with me. Calpol is for high temperature, pains, toothache and I would have thought, on a one week holiday and if the children are well and healthy before travelling, it would not cross many parents mind to include Calpol in their packing. Personally speaking, if my children became ill in that sort of way I'd go to a chemist - there are usually plenty of them abroad. Also there are always doctors and dentist surgeries to hand in holiday resorts. Every hotel and apartment room has a notice pinned up indicating where to access these services. Prescription drugs are different of course, so I can understand taking away something prescribed;

First aid emergency items never came out of my suitcase and into a medicine cabinet either. I always left them in the side pocket of the suitcase which in turn got pushed well away somewhere, like under a bed out of the way. Just knowing I had them handy in case of emergency was good enough for me. My prescribed daily blood pressure tablets would remain zipped up in my handbag which went everywhere with me.

So, it does make me wonder, judging only by my own personal practice and routine, whether Kate did consider one or all of her children to be poorly before holiday which would necessitate the need to take Calpol?

LJC wrote:Many parents take first aid items away on holiday such as plasters, antiseptic wipes, etc. because cuts and scratches are common on holiday.   Also its common to take insect repellent and of course anti-vomit tablets for the change in diet problem. Although I have done the same I have not taken Calpol away with me. Calpol is for high temperature, pains, toothache and I would have thought, on a one week holiday and if the children are well and healthy before travelling, it would not cross many parents mind to include Calpol in their packing. Personally speaking, if my children became ill in that sort of way I'd go to a chemist - there are usually plenty of them abroad.  Also there are always doctors and dentist surgeries to hand in holiday resorts. Every hotel and apartment room has a notice pinned up indicating where to access these services.  Prescription drugs are different of course, so I can understand taking away something prescribed;

First aid emergency items never came out of my suitcase and into a medicine cabinet either.   I always left them in the side pocket of the suitcase which in turn got pushed well away somewhere, like under a bed out of the way. Just knowing I had them handy in case of emergency was good enough for me.  My prescribed daily blood pressure tablets would remain zipped up in my handbag which went everywhere with me.

So, it does make me wonder, judging only by my own personal practice and routine, whether Kate did consider one or all of her children to be poorly before holiday which would necessitate the need to take Calpol?  

We know Madeleine was a light sleeper and maybe the Calpol was used as a sedative , the twins too remarkably slept through all the commotion in 5a.

Calpol, which I have never used for my children, because that wasn't the way the culture was at the time, is as you all say above merely a mild children's pain-killing and possibly fever-bringing-down medicine. It does not count as 'a sedative', though to some extent it might have the very mildest sedative effect in helping a child to fall asleep naturally. To get a child to stay in a fairly deep sleep, so they would not wake up in the midst of a lot of hullaballoo some very different kind of medication would be necessary... a true sedative.

comperedna wrote:Calpol, which I have never used for my children, because that wasn't the way the culture was at the time, is as you all say above merely a mild children's pain-killing and possibly fever-bringing-down medicine. It does not count as 'a sedative', though to some extent it might have the very mildest sedative effect in helping a child to fall asleep naturally. To get a child to stay in a fairly deep sleep, so they would not wake up in the midst of a lot of hullaballoo some very different kind of medication would be necessary... a true sedative.

Hi comparedna, we only know what Kate has told us, but Gerry's Brother John worked for Astrazeneca so the McCanns might have got freebies relating to sedatives which would have explained the deep sleep the twins were in.

Panda wrote:When asked, she said that before they left she took some precautions, namely placed the medicine inside a bag with a clasp in her room inside the wardrobe or the dresser. These were Calpol (paracetamol) and Nurofen (ibuprofen), for fevers and pains, both for adults and children (packages in liquid for the children). In this bag there was also a small pair of scissors. In the kitchen were cutting items that were used to prepare the meals and which were not put out of sight. During their trips it was normal for them to take these medicines. During these holidays she never gave any medicine to her children, nor did Gerry. She now says that Gerry also took medicine for acidity called Losec (omeprozole) which they also possessed."

I couldn't find the 48 questions but reading through Kate's statement found this interesting. also, Kate says Madeleine told her it was Amelie  crying that night......just what is the truth ????

They also had an antihistamine, terfenadine, which even at that time was on the banned list for sale over the counter because it could have serious side effects.

AnnaEsse wrote:

Panda wrote:When asked, she said that before they left she took some precautions, namely placed the medicine inside a bag with a clasp in her room inside the wardrobe or the dresser. These were Calpol (paracetamol) and Nurofen (ibuprofen), for fevers and pains, both for adults and children (packages in liquid for the children). In this bag there was also a small pair of scissors. In the kitchen were cutting items that were used to prepare the meals and which were not put out of sight. During their trips it was normal for them to take these medicines. During these holidays she never gave any medicine to her children, nor did Gerry. She now says that Gerry also took medicine for acidity called Losec (omeprozole) which they also possessed."

I couldn't find the 48 questions but reading through Kate's statement found this interesting. also, Kate says Madeleine told her it was Amelie  crying that night......just what is the truth ????

They also had an antihistamine, terfenadine, which even at that time was on the banned list for sale over the counter because it could have serious side effects.

I know Calpol is for soothing, Ibobrufen for Pain , but AnnaEsse, what were the children given to sleep through all the noise , even when being moved to another Apartment. ?? Did the children wake when Madeleine was crying? Mrs Fenn doesn't say "children" crying ,everything is so vague. If those twins weren't given somethiing stronger BOTH of them must have been sound sleepers.

Panda wrote:

AnnaEsse wrote:

Panda wrote:When asked, she said that before they left she took some precautions, namely placed the medicine inside a bag with a clasp in her room inside the wardrobe or the dresser. These were Calpol (paracetamol) and Nurofen (ibuprofen), for fevers and pains, both for adults and children (packages in liquid for the children). In this bag there was also a small pair of scissors. In the kitchen were cutting items that were used to prepare the meals and which were not put out of sight. During their trips it was normal for them to take these medicines. During these holidays she never gave any medicine to her children, nor did Gerry. She now says that Gerry also took medicine for acidity called Losec (omeprozole) which they also possessed."

I couldn't find the 48 questions but reading through Kate's statement found this interesting. also, Kate says Madeleine told her it was Amelie  crying that night......just what is the truth ????

They also had an antihistamine, terfenadine, which even at that time was on the banned list for sale over the counter because it could have serious side effects.

I know Calpol is for soothing, Ibobrufen for Pain , but AnnaEsse, what were the children given to sleep through all the noise , even when being moved to another Apartment. ??  Did the children wake when Madeleine was crying?  Mrs Fenn doesn't say "children" crying ,everything is so vague. If those twins weren't given somethiing stronger BOTH of them must have been sound sleepers.

Some side effects of terfenadine may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to terfenadine: oral tablet

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking terfenadine and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention.

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
an irregular heartbeat; or
seizures.
If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking terfenadine and talk to your doctor:

drowsiness or dizziness;
headache;
nervousness;
nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort;
dry mouth; or
dry skin or itchiness.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

My Dad is a GP and whenever we went on holiday, drugs for upset tummies, travel sickness, paracetamol, antibiotics, hydrocortisone, ulcer treatments and all kinds of other stuff would be packed somewhere. He would not have relied on a local chemist being open or on another doctor being available should one of us kids be ill. No way. In my experience, doctors, especially GP's, have drugs all over the place - they're constantly given samples. And I, too, will take these kinds of supplies on holiday with me.... just in case.... and of course have never had to open the bag.

a GP I knew at one time used to give his patients the freebie samples he had and in return they put something in a charity box because prescriptions at that time were £6 per item.

It would not surprise me if one of the McCanns had not slipped the children something without the other one knowing (Gerry probably, don't know why, with a little help from David Payne). It may be the case that Calpol was administered by, say, Kate and that she would be thinking that on top of a full day's holiday, plenty of sun and fresh air, activity and exercise, followed by milky bedtime drink, the children would sleep deeply enough to allow their parents to eat in peace. However, one of them, say Gerry, (because he was playing tennis when Kate was doing the bath and bed routine) may not have realised Calpol had been administered and gave the children a conflicting medicine on top, to help them off to sleep. Again, it may not have been a sedative, but may have been strong enough when coupled with Calpol in their systems, to ensure they slept through a thunderclap. This, as well as leaving the children alone, may be sufficient reason for Gerry to take fright when he realised something was not right with Madeleine.

Also I mention David Payne, because wasn't it he and his wife who said they hadn't left their table all night as they had a baby monitor? Hmm, so what if he went to the toilet -doesn't that count? Could it be he received a discreet text from Gerry at some point (I am sure they would have phones with them) and made an excuse of going to the toilet for a 'long job'. We all know that Gerry was in his own apartment for a long time during the evening using the toilet at length and Payne could get there quickly, no doubt about that, we all know how fit and lean this lot are, so is it possible he wasn't at his table all night?

 http://metro.co.uk/2007/09/13/maddie-died-from-tablets-overdose-142744/

Still there from 2007, never removed, Metro and Times never sued.

Well Payne was definately up to something when he visited Kate McCann in the apt when she was alone with the kids and it wasn't to 'top her up' that's for sure.

The antihistamine would work better than Calpol imo. Certainly knocked me out and that was the non-drowsy variant. Used it for sleeping pills for a time. There was a supply of these for Gerry.
I think anything with paracetamol in it for children should be illegal. Plays havoc with the liver. Doctors should know that better than anyone but again, imo medics are trained and subsidised by big pharma.

Besides, I don't think it was an accidental overdose. Doesn't explain the blood spray pattern.

Imo also, Sean was well under when carried off the plane when they fled back to the UK.

tigger wrote:

Besides, I don't think it was an accidental overdose. Doesn't explain the blood spray pattern.

Emergency tracheotomy would.

Snipped

tigger wrote:I think anything with paracetamol in it for children should be illegal. Plays havoc with the liver.

Really, I didn't know that.

I have a bag of medical supplies, including calpol, ibuprofen,anthihistamine, insect cream, childrens anti sickness and anti diarrhea treatments, plasters, antiseptic....the lot, with me wherever I go with the kids and have done ever since they were babies.   I like to be prepared!

Calpol is a mild analgesic, not a sedative. If it eases pain or fever, it does aid sleep though (stands to reason).

Large doese of parecetemol can damage the liver, as large doses of ibuprofen can damage the lining of the stomach.

Iris wrote:

tigger wrote:

Besides, I don't think it was an accidental overdose. Doesn't explain the blood spray pattern.

Emergency tracheotomy would.

Possibly, but I've read elsewhere tracheotomy doesn't involve blood spray. Blood must also have flowed to get under the tiles. Must admit, their telephone and behaviour pattern that week point to something happening early in the week. Imo it's pretty impossible to fit the emotional and logistic events into a few hours on the third.
I think GA had to go with the evidence available at the time, he may have had his own ideas but there was a need to stick to the facts.

Eta, the 'accident' need not necessarily have happened in connection with sedatives. Although the video in which Kate demonstrates - with a shaking motion - how she would have asked Maddie why she woke up, is somewhat worrying. The essential point seemed to be: 'what do you mean you woke up?' Shake, shake.
Seems she wasn't supposed to.

wantthetruth wrote:I have a bag of medical supplies, including calpol, ibuprofen,anthihistamine, insect cream, childrens anti sickness and anti diarrhea treatments, plasters, antiseptic....the lot, with me wherever I go with the kids and have done ever since they were babies.   I like to be prepared!

Calpol is a mild analgesic, not a sedative. If it eases pain or fever, it does aid sleep though (stands to reason).

Large doese of parecetemol can damage the liver, as large doses of ibuprofen can damage the lining of the stomach.

Sorry, that's what I meant, continued use would be very bad for a child's developing organs.

Was it on 3as that someone said David Payne had been called to 5a to perform a tracheotomy on Madeleine which obviously failed . That might account for the disparity in the McCanns Statement , Payne said he was in 5a for 30 minutes, Kate said 5 minutes.

It would account for the blood spots behind the Settee, Madeleine leaning over it and falling .

There is so much confusion about this case it will be a miracle if we ever get to know the truth.

FP's solo jog before dinner seemed a bit weird to me.

Wintabells wrote:FP's solo jog before dinner seemed a bit weird to me.

Also, the getogether in Rothley months after the holiday.

If something accidental happened to Madeleine, even something bad, whilst the McCanns were there, I doubt it would be covered up because accidents do happen but so long as you are there and have tried to supervise as best you can, its one of those things; something we all live in fear of but at least we are there to deal with an emergency.

If an accident happened whilst they were not there, that's a different matter. Even then, I feel, for it to be covered up it would have to be something fatal that they discovered. Well, it must have been fatal imo because where is Madeleine? A non fatal accident covered up would not result in the disappearance of Madeleine.

If Madeleine's body was lifeless, it would be easy to stage an 'abduction' of her. Yes, I can imagine a dead Madeleine being carried. What I cannot imagine is a live Madeleine being carried through the streets by a man and not waking up.

Transference of sleeping children from one location to another takes a lot of skill. Ever tried getting a child off to sleep in a pushchair/car seat (like on the advert on TV) and then transferring to its bed? Harder than you think in my own experience. The child almost always woke once picked up. The times I managed to achieve this, I was jubilant because it was so rare.