Bloodwork for toddlers...there has to be a better way...

[Imerald]

So this is our second set of labs that Ella has just screamed and kicked and fought having done. It's the same labcorp we've gone to for her labs for the last year or so. About a total of 6-7 times. The last two were very traumatizing for all of us. The women there are great, same two that do it every time and are good at what they do. Only ever had to search for a vein this last time, but for as much as she was screaming and kicking, I'm not surprised. We did get the blood, but I can't do that anymore and I don't think it's good for her to go through that with us holding her down. Her arm is bruised from where my hubby was holding it so tightly. Basically, hubby sits in the chair, she sits in his lap and he holds her arm out that they stick and uses his other arm across her chest and other arm.

What have your experiences been? Is there something else we should try? Other labs we should go to? At this point were willing to drive and stay overnight somewhere if it will make it better.

I'm still shaking and it was almost an hour ago.

~Susan
Mom to Ella, dx'd with UC on 11/13 at 2.5y/o

 

[Clash]

Do they use EMLA cream to deadening the area for the shot? You can also Google Buzzy Bee for a device some parents use to distract from the shot using vibration.

I think my little penguin can give you info on both of these. Since I tagged her she will hopefully see this thread.

 

[Jenn]

I'm so sorry, that is so hard. My son is older and is good about doing what he has to, but he did scream at the hospital middle of one night when they had to move his IV. It's traumatic. the numbing EMLA cream is a good idea. Can't really discuss it much with a toddler, but a little could help. Maybe have her role-play giving shots to a baby doll, look for some helpful videos for her to watch, or offer a reward or special treat afterward? Distractions during it with a video player or music with earphones or something she can't usually play with, like an iphone might work. I use a mini-fan on my son to keep him from getting woozy. Try to time it when she's not hungry or too tired, and be sure she's well-hydrated and warm, it helps keep the veins up and open. The techs are usually great, but they are better if at a children's hospital or clinic, used to little kids. Watch your energy too, if you expect a battle, you'll get one, try to keep it positive and lots of positive praise after. I suppose last resort would be sedatives or maybe therapy, probably limited with a toddler though. one last thought, sometimes restricting her too much can backfire and make her fight harder, maybe encourage her to be a "big" girl, offer her own arm out, let her feel she's got more control? getting it done is non-negotiable, like a carseat, maybe try whatever works to get her buckled in? It's a really hard age... Good luck!

 

[my little penguin]

Second the children's hospital for outpatient blood draws.
They have smaller needles ( tiny butterflies for infants)
Regular labs are used to adults .
Our kiddo hospital has a toy cart outside the blood door, plus buzzy bee.
We bought our own for DS ( too many blood draws /Iv's much easier.)
Ipad with earphones playing Sesame Street or a new movie she loves .
Start it before she gets there this worked well for DS and allergy shots - they were weekly- I bought a lot of movies till he got older .
There is a new numbing spray that is fast quick and doesn't burn ( old version burned).
Emla cream is can be messy for toddler since it needs to go on early and sit there .
DS hates blood draws at the lab but willingly goes to the children's hospital lab .

The kiddie hospital has a double seat so the kiddo is beside the parent plus a table.
Our ped also did a trick of having them lay on the table and use pink elastic wrap with a Purple Heart . The little kids love it .

 

[my little penguin]

http://buzzy4shots.com/children/

Buzzy link

 

[my little penguin]

Also ask for child life at the hospital they might have good ideas as well

 

[Maya142]

Definitely ask for a butterfly needle. I do it for my 17 year old because she has been having weekly bloodwork for a while!!

Sorry no other ideas since my kids are so much older. Sending hugs:hug:

 

[DanceMom]

Our children's hospital doesn't have an outpatient lab anymore.

We used bribes until A became more comfortable with needles. My mom also had the genius idea of creating a "Tough Girl Club" that A can earn certificates for when she is exceptionally tough. My grandmother just became President of the club for being tough during her shoulder surgery. Seems silly, but our family has fun with it and the girls know if they aren't tough they risk getting kicked out of the club. Lol

 

[Imerald]

Hubby had his labs done before her and we always get donuts after, plus the lab gives her stickers and the woman always has a beanie baby for her. We've tried the iPad and iphone and today we brought her favorite book to no avail. They do use the butterfly as well.

I'll look into the buzzy bee and also see about making her own it more than forcing her. That sounds like a good idea. I'm going to ask the GI for suggestions/recommendations too. Thanks everyone, I'm so ready for bed after all of that!

~Susan
Mom to Ella, dx'd with UC on 11/13 at 2.5y/o

 

[Lam123]

Sorry to hear you are going through this. My son has food seller goes and the first round of blood tests were horrible. So we talked to the dr and he recommended a lab he knew was experienced with kids. We went there and it was a much easier experience. The dr told us that you can call the labs and ask if they are well experienced with young children.

 

[Imerald]

I was just doing some research and one site mentioned talking about the tourniquet, letting her play with it and explaining that it might pinch since that is the first thing they feel and likely the scariest since it's the start of the procedure. They also suggested some type of candy/lollipop that they never get to have to distract them.


~Susan
Mom to Ella, dx'd with UC on 11/13 at 2.5y/o

 

[Sascot]

Sorry to hear you had such a traumatic time. It must be so hard when they are younger. My daughter is 11 and very mature but will cry at even the mention of getting a blood test. I have a feeling she might need one in the next few months so have bought something she really wants and it's sitting hidden away until it happens. I really hope you find something to help.

 

[Mehita]

Ask about a j-tip! My son has never done well with needles and is ok with Emla creme, but the best has been j-tips. He uses them before Remicade pokes.

www.jtip.com

It's hard to explain how it works exactly, but it looks like a syringe, they place it near the skin but it never touches, it makes a pop noise, and then the area is magically numb. It takes about 5 seconds. He never feels a thing.

It might only be available in hospital settings though and have to be prescribed by a physician, but well worth the trouble in my opinion.

My son was dx'd at age 8 and is now in therapy for fear of pain. I think it goes back to being dx'd so young and having so many pokes (amongst other things), so I completely understand your concern about being traumatized by this all.

Good luck!

 

[Pilgrim]

Our daughters are about the same age, looks like. Ours also became very sensitive to pain with the blood draws (probably when she was feeling at her worst) and had a few where she screamed for the entire process, and one where she kicked the lab staff. Very hard. She is not normally a brat, lol.
She doesn't usually eat candy, but I allowed her a lollypop for after the blood draws. That was motivating. But I also made sure she had a fair bit of juice in the morning and took her for a short walk near the hospital before the draw. It helped them get to her vein the first time.
I also recommend the hospital lab.
Can't do lollypops right now. She's on EEN.
I hope it gets easier for your daughter.
I love the tough girl club idea.

 

[Imerald]

Well we talked with the GI and he said that since she's been doing so well, as long as we're not seeing any changes, pains, blood, etc, we can go 6 months before our next labs! Yay! We went down on her Flagyl slightly (1.6 to 1.3 3x daily) and are staying par for the course on her other meds so he felt it would be OK given her labs were mostly normal aside from her Vit D being low even though it's doubled in the last 3 months. He also suggested checking with our pedi to see if they'll do the draws otherwise the other children's hospitals in the area. Were up 1.5 lbs and grown .5 inches since June. She's gained a total of 4.5 lbs and grown an inch since we started seeing him in April.

Thanks DanceMom for recommending him. We love him to pieces. Such a great guy, down to earth and very personable. I think we spend half of the appt just chit chatting about our families mis-adventures etc. Today was definitely a good day.

~Susan
Mom to Ella, dx'd with UC on 11/13 at 2.5y/o

 

[DanceMom]

I'm glad you like him! We feel the same way about him! He really cares about his patients and is so easy to talk to. I told my husband if he ever moves we're moving too! Lol

 

[izzi'smom]

DD started her journey at 4 -it's tough! Emela was too much trouble for us-the hour of waiting gave her more anxiety than the bloodwork! I've seen the buzzy used with some success. (The j-tip looks pretty neat!)
I gave dd prizes (OK bribes lol!). At four, she loved ponies-she got a new one every time she had labs or an IV. We talked about how it was easier for the phlebotomist if she held still (and relaxed), and how it only hurts for a minute. (It's more difficult for them to draw from a tense arm. Hydration also plays a huge role).
She used to scream but at about 5 she started sitting quietly.
DS is 4, and 4 of us had to hold him down and wrap him in a sheet to get an IV in. It was hard. (I cried). The next time he needed bloodwork, it was easier, and the one after that, easier still.
I worked closely with the lab at my last job-they have different gauge needles despite the type-it is a common misconception that the butterfly is a smaller needle-they all come in different sizes. I agree that a lab used to drawing children can be a huge help-and going to a hospital lab with access to child life specialists can be wonderful (Izz played with an iPad while being drawn).
HUGS-it's not an easy journey.

 

[Imerald]

I think we'd move too DanceMom. Let's hope it never comes to that! We were also fortunate enough that our insurance provider and Nemours came to an agreement and we can continue to use our insurance. Phew!

She was definitely more anxious about going to her appt and we had to promise no shots as we were getting ready. (She was hiding in her closet). I'm going to contact KidsTRACK at Nemours and see what they recommend as well.


~Susan
Mom to Ella, dx'd with UC on 11/13 at 2.5y/o

 

[DanceMom]

That hospital is amazing. We've only come across one doctor we didn't care for but it seems that he is a respected and accomplished doctor (personality conflict I guess). Let me know if KidsTRACK is helpful. Haven't used that resource yet but may need to in the future.

 

[Imerald]

Definitely!


~Susan
Mom to Ella, dx'd with UC on 11/13 at 2.5y/o

 

[positivemum]

butterfly needle and numbing cream - and he is 15