Advice on pilling a cat

I'm hoping that someone has a new suggestion for me. I have a semi-feral cat (inherited him when we bought our house 5 years ago). He is hyper-thyroid & has responded well to meds (gained about # in the past 18 months). My problem is getting him to take the pills.

Pill pockets worked for a few months, cooked chicken has worked for about a year, but now he's eating around the pill... Liquid was unsuccessful, tuna didn't tempt him more than twice. I haven't tried the transdermal cream & am hesitant, as I am hypo-thyroid & don't know if the cream will transfer to me, plus I hear it's difficult to get the dosage correct.

We recently added anti-anxiety meds to his regimen, but now I can't get him to take either pill, so I'm prepared to drop the paxil, as I think the methimazole is more important. Pilling him by hand (or with a shooter) really isn't an option - he's a lover, on his terms - sleeps with me & follows me everywhere, but those feral instincts are still strong.

I'm hoping some of you cat whisperers have a trick up your sleeves.

Thanks.

Liz