ds needs bloodwork...terrified

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Registered: 09-13-2006
ds needs bloodwork...terrified
16
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 5:40pm

I took David for his physical today.

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Avatar for littleroses
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Registered: 03-28-2003
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 6:11pm

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Edited 2/19/2008 2:43 pm ET by littleroses
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 6:35pm

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Registered: 11-28-2006
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 6:43pm

There's something similar (numbing cream) that you can get your ped to write out a prescription for. I can't remember except it starts with an E. I will look around for my son's prescribtion and get back to you if you want.

Also, my boys are deathly afraid of the needle, and If it were me, I might even consider a mild tranqulizer. I even got Chris a Valium for his last dentist appt but it didn't work darn it. They were behind, so by the time he was in the chair his nervenous was stronger than the Valium. I didn't even think of giving him a second one, as my pys suggested later. My dentist wants to send him to a place that knocks you out, but you know I don't want to knock him out over one filling. A mouth full of problems maybe, but not just for one tooth.

My boys also have anxiety issue's over this, so I feel for ya Evelyn!

Oh yea, and also, can't you explain to the lab ahead of time that your son has Asperger's, and he 's very anxious and can't they make sure they put him ahead of everyone? It wouldn't hurt.....

Avatar for nutmegspice
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Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 8:58pm

(((((Evelyn)))))

Sam is exactly the same. If it's cold it's *really* cold, if it's hot it's way too hot. Any kind of pain is horrible-I'm-going-to-die pain. Then there are the times when he's crashing about and can't feel a thing.....sigh.

I don't really have any advice for you. Last time Sam had blood drawn it took several people to hold him down and we still couldn't get enough. I just gave up. We thought that he might have had mono recently and we opted not to find out for sure because of how difficult a draw he is. His MD just said, " well same as any virus, rest and fluids." I don't think it was mono, he was fine in a couple of days.

I'd make a day of it even if he gives them a really hard time. If he lets them get even close to him with the needle then he's done a great job. Promises of treats never help with Sam, but he gets them anyway for such ordeals because they're a huge trauma for him.

Good luck.....I'll be thinking about you!

Chrystee

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Registered: 04-28-2007
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 10:34pm

The numbing cream is certainly an option.

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Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 10:56pm

I didn't tell Isaac about the blood draw until right before it happened, so I can't help you with the beforehand anxiety, but I held him and talked softly and he was more upset before they did the draw than when they did it.


Ok, I totally drew the McDonalds card, too, but when I saw that bottom lip come out, I knew I had to think fast and it was the first thing out of my mouth, lol!

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 11:22pm

Call the lab first and explain the situation. Ask if there is a way you can schedule it so he can get in and out quickly. Explain that you may need extra staff to do the blood work. Write a note in advance (short as possible is best actually - just a paragraph) explaining again that your son has ..... and that for him this means....and this....would help. Hand it to everyone involved while you are in the building. Hand it to the lady who checks you in and tell them you would like it given to the appropriate lab tech or what not.

Do a social story with David in advance. Tell him you will be with him the entire time and will give him a big hug while it is going on. You know he will be brave and try his best and that is all you can ask.

You may also want to talk to the doc who ordered it. Make sure this is absolutely neccessary blood work (I am assuming it is for his medication? If so it is but if it is just regular we do this to all kids for some weird reason, maybe you can forgo it) If it is not completely neccessary, they can get the info another way, etc then ask them to do that instead.

Sometimes as well there are alternative places or ways to get this done. With a trusted doc instead, etc? My BIL is a nurse pract. Once he did one for Mike at his house. We held him down and Jim did it quick and painless and it was less traumatic for Mike there. However, it was quite traumatic for Jim who never volunteered for that again, lol.

Renee

editted to add, I do love everyone elses ideas as well. We have tried those with no luck (It is called Emla (sp?) cream I believe). Either way, still ended up in a horrible meltdown/restraint. The IV when he had his surgery was REALLY FUN! NOT!

If the tips they mentioned failed, try what I wrote above. It is what works best for us to make it the least stressful/traumatic possible for all involved but we still restrain for all those.




Edited 6/5/2007 11:26 pm ET by rbear4
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Wed, 06-06-2007 - 2:49am

Thanks, everyone.


I think I'll try a combination of all of the above.

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Registered: 04-11-2003
Wed, 06-06-2007 - 7:52am

Evelyn,

I really feel for you. Definately call the lab and tell them they'll need plenty of staff on hand and explain clearly you'll need to get right in and out.

I just saw a social story for getting a blood draw. Let me find it....Ok, here it is. I hope it helps. http://www.helpautismnow.com/?page_id=26

Samantha

Samantha
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Registered: 04-18-2007
Wed, 06-06-2007 - 8:50am

HI there - I too have to take my son in a week (he's 3) for some bloodwork but it's his first so he doesn't know whats coming. THe cream everyone is talking about is Emla - any pharmacy will know about it ( I think I've spelt it right ) and it's not by prescription. You can get a patch or cream I believe - the patch is VERY sticky so I'd go with the cream. People often use it before ear piercing.
Also,make sure the lab knows your situation. The squeaky wheel gets oiled I always say. My sons bloodwork will be done at a hospital where I was able to make an appointment. They know the situation and they will also use something called a butterfly. I believe it's a tube that comes from the needle to make switching the viles easier and faster as opposed to right up at the needle (like how us adults would have it done). Sheesh even I don't like that.

One other thing that I learned from a developmental pediatrician is to NOT say, "it won't hurt". Right away to them it implies that it might. Maybe you could practice giving him a little pinch at the injection site to give him an idea. Also, perhaps write a social story. I think being able to mentally prepare will help a lot. Often it's the unknown and making it out to be worse in our minds than it actually will be is the bigger problem. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

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