srs Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 My seven year old likely needs another blood draw tomorrow. The last one (a month ago) took four adults holding her down. Any way to make this go more smoothly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East Coast Sue Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Practice relaxation and deep breathing, maybe... I'm not sure if there really is a way at that age to make anything go smoothly, but it might help. When I faced a similar situation, I asked around for the best pediatric blood drawer in the area. She was confident, quick, and mild mannered (not overly happy or stern, just a happy middle ground). It went just fine and I was expecting the worst. I hope it goes well for both of you. (((hugs))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Lava Mama Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 My ds had to get a monthly blood draw when he was 2 years old for a while. What I did was sat him on my lap, made him look me right in the face (avoiding seeing the needle at all costs!) and then he was told to sing something to me or to tell me something that required him to think. This helped keep his mind busy and he didn't seem to be as freaked out by the needle. It is tough, though. My heart goes out to you. :) Hot Lava Mama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Valium if so terrified it will prevent the draw. I have one that faints.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyontheFarm Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 There is a cream you can put on their skin to help numb the sting of the needle also. Make sure she is well hydrated with water, no juice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 My kids did a lot better with their last two rounds of shots when they realized that freaking out actually makes it hurt worse. Of course, this may make your child feel paralyzed that they can't help themselves, and then it will be worse. Judgment call there. But, my kids managed to talk through some strategies about how short the discomfort would be and how much less painful it is if they can hold it together for that brief time. (My kids are 6 and 10, for reference.) Agreeing with the ideas from other posters as well. Great suggestions. Hydration is definitely a must. You might also put a warmer on the arm that is going to be used (or at least long sleeves)--warmth helps dilate the blood vessels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songsparrow Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Didn't have to go through blood draws, but when my dd hated vaccinations around that age what worked for us was letting her sit on my lap, facing away from the nurse and the supplies, and play games on the iPad . iPad games were a treat for her at the time and distracted her from what was going on around her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Make sure they use a butterfly needle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momofeat Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 We also found the cream to be helpful, as well as videos. We've been known to take a laptop with us to let the child see something they've never seen before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertBlossom Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 The EMLA or Lidocaine cream needs to applied 30-45 minutes before the draw. Put a quarter-size dollop on the arm and cover loosely with a small piece of saran wrap. Wipe it off right before they do the draw. The child won't feel a thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Make sure the person drawing the blood has a lot of experience with kids. It will make it go a lot faster. I still have a teen boy who FAINTS when he has to have blood drawn. It's a true phobia for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooRho Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 My kids find clinging to a favorite stuffed animal helps. A little sibling competition also seems to, whereby they brag to each other about how brave they are. Not sure that is a great method, but I had one of my more scared kids make it through four shots without even crying because she wanted to beat a sibling :lol: I had that with my kids, had a foster child at the time, 11, 8 and 3. They all needed shots. the oldest was already trying to freak out. the nurse tried to get her to go first, BUT I knew the little one wouldn't cry really. or at least I banked on it. They had the kids lay down and hang their legs over the edge and mom held the arms and talked to the child so he couldn't see. So I was there holding and talking to him they did 2 shots in the legs at the same time. He starts to scream- NOT cry but Scream "SHE STABBED MY BONES!!!! SHE STABBED MY BONES". It was so funny we all laughed and there was no way they other 2 could cry. We also had to get shots for overseas travel and we got them ice cream if they didn't cry/put up a fuss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 I also have to confess that we bribed DS. $10 a shot or blood draw. He made a nice tidy sum the fall he had to get two H1N1 vaxes plus a flu shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Good ideas already. If you do need to hold her down, this is the method we used with good success. MOM sits in the chair. Child sits on moms lap, facing sideways. Put one of child's arms behind mom' back........mom leans back to pin that arm back. Child's legs go between mom's thighs and she pins them there. Then nurse can hold the free arm (only limb not pinned down) and does the blood drawn. Harder to explain than to do. Might keep the child from freaking out as it is mom doing the holding, not strangers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 reading for ideas. ds11 is terrified of needles, like beyond anything I had ever seen before. And he is already 5'4" and 130lbs, meaning he is terrified of needles and the size of and adult. When we did his immunizations last I literally laid on top of him pining him to the ground while the nurse injected him. That is not going to be an option for the blood draw he needs to do this week. I have no clue how I am going to get him through it without resorting to a big bribe. Ds16 also need a blood draw done but because it is a fasting test he needs to go first right when the clinic opens which means it gives time for ds11 to freak out more. He has anxiety at the best of times, but the thought of a needle sends him right into fight or flight mode and he is crazy strong from the adrenaline and he honestly acts like his life is on the line. I sure hope this test will be it because it will be enough to get through it once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 I have one that is very similar. we give him 1000mg of GABA, and 1000mg of l-theanine. both are antianxiety (and that is above the regular dose - but what his ND recommended when doing a blood draw.). I also allow him to play with my phone - and we drape a blanket over his head like a "tent". then he can focus on the electronics and not be distracted by the needles. (eventually I had to give him an injection daily - and that made a big difference.) his favorite sibling has come just to hold him while all this is going on. (apparently, I'm only #2.) the previous ND who did the blood draws would bring out her tablet and play movies/videos anything that the child would enjoy. for ds -it wasn't enough. eta: I also make sure he has drunk quite a bit before going in - so he should be well hydrated. it helps in finding a vein. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmama Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 I also have to confess that we bribed DS. $10 a shot or blood draw. He made a nice tidy sum the fall he had to get two H1N1 vaxes plus a flu shot. Bribery here too. If he doesn't fight it he gets to go get a toy(small) after. We have to do this for strep swabs and flu tests(the ol' bristly thing up the nose, ugh!) too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valley Girl Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Being brave entitles the patient to a stop at a favorite fast food place for a milkshake. (If it's been especially tough, Mom may need one, too.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondeviolin Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 They can do EMLA. With my older kids, I tell them if they are relaxed it hurts less. It works with my more rational one. If I have her wiggle her toes and blow out at the right time, she does just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srs Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share Posted September 22, 2014 So many great replies, thanks! Hydration makes a lot of sense for helping. And having been involved in the last pin down, I can envision the sideways hold working well for us. I think she is scared of the needle pain, and about six months ago we had a surprise blood draw that has made her anxious about the unexpected. I'm trying to decide when to let her know that there might be one today. Probably when we're already on the way, because she will freak once she gets the news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srs Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share Posted September 22, 2014 And after last time, I got a milkshake too. At 9am. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 And after last time, I got a milkshake too. At 9am. :-) We did the milkshake after for one last time and it did help calm her down. We always go out for a treat after. About the cream to numb the area, you may have to know your kid's veins. I brought that up and the phlebotomists were against using it for my one dd's veins because of the problems we've had getting blood out of her. They were vehement. They told me they can make the veins harder to get at because of the effect the cream has on the surrounding tissue and dd is a hard blood draw anyway, not because she's scared but her veins are small and deep. I have another on who reacts badly after the draw is over. I think kids like her would do better at the children's hospital because they do the draw while the kids lay back in chair. No major problems if they faint or are in shock if they are leaning back and well supported. Also, in that position they can't see the needle and blood as easily and that might help some. Some places have beds to use for draws and that might work. I saw a grown woman getting a blood draw that way because of the weird reactions she gets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 I also agree that something like valium is a good idea, though docs don't easily prescribe it for kids. If a kid has a true phobia, I could see how it would help not only for the draw but in the future because a traumatic visit makes future visits worse, but a pleasant visit will only help for future visits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 The sideways hold works for little kids. With ds7 when he was 4 I held a lollipop in his line of sight but he is my brave one. If I had to get a blood draw from ds5 I would probably have to knock him out. The most important are (more personal experience here) - hydration, a professional person, a nice person. I had to get a whooping cough swap taken from ds7 last year (they stick a really long sharp swab right up their nose), the person taking the swab was trying to bully and shame him into it and every time I got him halfway relaxed she would but in with "I haven't got all day, don't waste my time" stuff. We ended up having to leave and return a bit later (I was hoping for someone different). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinE Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 I always have my kids look in my eyes and I talk them through it. I enourage them to look away. When I was young, it was the sight of the needle going into my body that caused a freak out. I still don't watch when I get a shot or blood draw. I know the limits of my tolerance. I've also used the mantra, "What are needles for? To keep me from getting sick or to help me feel better." I think focusing on the purpose of the stick has helped my kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cera Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 We always request emla cream. It numbs the skin and makes it significantly less unpleasant for the kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srs Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share Posted September 22, 2014 So it turned out that the dr suggested we wait and see, so no blood draw today, yay! But I feel much better prepared for the next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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