Preparing my child for a 1st GI visit

[mom2277]

My 8 year-old will be having her first GI visit. It will be with Dr. Acra at Vanderbilt if anyone has info specific to him. I'm sure any scopes will be at a later date, but don't know whether she should expect anything other than a general physical and bloodwork. Do you know if any type of rectal exams or stool occult blood tests are standard at first GI visits? I want her to know in advance if any part of the exam will feel intrusive.

Thank you!

 

[Mehita]

When you get there you may want to ask for Emla creme for the blood draw. It numbs the skin to make the prick less painful, especially if this is her first time. I wouldn't think anything else would be intrusive. Patting her tummy, checking eyes and mouth. He may want to just look at her bottom on the outside, which might involve touching her cheeks? Or our GI doesn't touch and let's my son position himself so he doesn't need to be touched, but allows for a good view of things.

Usually ped GI's are very kid friendly. My son has never had a rectal exam in the five years that he's had Crohn's. She'll likely have scopes scheduled and I see no reason why they couldn't wait until then for an rectal exam then if necessary.

I have gone so far as to tell drs and nurses that my son is more cooperative if he knows what's about to happen. That usually triggers more communication directly to him, which helps in our case.

Good luck!

 

[Mehita]

Oh, and the stool tests, unless she coincidentally poops at the GI office, are usually done at home. She'll poop into a "hat" and lucky you, you get to smear it on cards and collect it in sample jars. Just be sure to get good written instructions on what you need to do for each sample. Some need refrigeration, some need to be turned in within a certain time frame, etc.

 

[my little penguin]

Rectal exam depends on her history and the doc.
WE had had them by surprise before so prepare her just in case.
Most Gi docs are good about dong them only if needed.

 

[Farmwife]

Also a clear cut time line. Showing when things started and what helped and what didn't.
By the way keep a running outline from now on. That way when you meet with a new doc you can just read from that.

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

Our 1st GI visit included a long info gathering session, asking my 8 yr old all about his poop, aches and pains, and so on. It also included a physical exam, with a rectal exam. But all was low-stress. Ped docs and nurses are great with kids. Stool tests came a week or 2 after, as well as a MRE, and scopes. We were in the ER 3 days before our 1st GI appt, so extensive bloodwork, ultrasound, and X-ray, were done then. An indium scan was also done (a test I recommend) the day prior to the appt. I hope it goes well for you!

 

[Brian'sMom]

My son does better not knowing every detail. Otherwise he just has a lot of time to stew on it. (Recently he had to be hospitalized...I did forewarn him they most likely will do an IV) But he's older now and has dealt with this for a long time...so he deals better with anxiety. In the beginning is was bad idea to tell him about things that may or may not happen

 

[Cupkatemom]

Our first appt was mostly questions. Our doctor asked a our child many direct questions and she did great answering them. I was surprised to learn some things about my daughter she had not told me before. She did have to put in a gown, but underwear and (cami she had worn that day) was kept on (my dd did not like gown). Doctor just felt the stomach area. We had no bottom issues at the time, so leaving underwear on was not a problem.

I got more questions from my dd after we left - she heard about the necessary scope. Be ready for those in case.

 

[DanceMom]

Our GI does a rectal exam at every appointment if there has been pain or bloody stools. It really isn't a big deal and my daughter tends to make jokes to lighten the mood. The doctor does ask a lot of questions and I try to let my daughter answer them when possible. Also, at the end of each appointment I always ask her if she has any questions for the doctor. I think that's so important because it allows her to be a part of the process and helps ease her anxieties. Good luck at your appointment!

 

[mom2277]

Thank you for all the helpful suggestions. I decided to go ahead and let her know that a rectal exam might be necessary to help the doctor make sure she isn't bleeding inside without knowing it. As many pointed out, it's such a fine balance between avoiding anticipatory anxiety and kids reacting with terror because something is unexpected. I'll post more when we return from the visit. Thank you!

 

[mom2277]

Thank you, DustyKate! LOVE the photo. I'm glad other people here see Dr. Acra and feel confident and comfortable with him. Dare I say, though, that when Vanderbilt assigned my daughter to him after getting our ped.'s referral and her chart, I felt scared because I couldn't imagine Vanderbilt GI assigning my daughter to him unless they felt concerned that something serious was going on. Good news, we get to see him! Bad news, we need to see him.

Happy New Year, everyone!!

 

[AZMOM]

Hi mom 2277. I'm MONTHS late chiming in here. I hope things went well for you with Dr. Acra. If I can help, please let me know.