to be scared that my DD(12) is going for an MRI with contrast dye

[Buddhastic]

I have just had a look on the net (yes stupid I know!!) and now I am shitting myself for her. It doesn't help that we have been to four different docs who have given us four different diagnosis so feeling uptight and she is petrified too. Anyway, is this type of MRI risky or have I just landed on the wrong websites. I didn't want to ask the doc too many questions in front of her as she is already fraught with all the other docs opinions. TIA

I had this years ago. Not painful in the slightest. They inject the dye and I think (really can't remember) that they left the syringe in and taped it to my arm. Then wore ear defenders as the MRI makes repeated banging noises.

Your actions could make her apprehensive when she needn't be. DD shouldn't be scared. You get to lie on the bed for around 20 mins and hey presto, all over.

( i think they were looking at my pituitary gland)

I had a CT scan with dye a few weeks ago. As carat says, the dye part is painless, and they leave a needle stuck in your arm during the process.

I think that a difference between CT and MRI is the amount of the body that's inside the machine at any one time - with an MRI you're essentially completely enclosed in a cylinder. I know one or two people with claustrophobia type issues that this has been an issue for.

She isn't nervous about the MRI it's the op she will need if it shows up what the doc thinks it will. She is convinced she wont wake up from it and nothing I say makes her feel better.

Maybe a word with the anaesthetist would reassure her?

Oh bless her. Could you ask the anaesthetist about 'risks' of GA (they are very low esp for a 12 year old)? She will wake up - can you maybe talk about a treat or similar that you will arrange for after the op?

I had GAs as a child - I was a drama queen, so quite enjoyed all the fuss made of me, plus that strange feeling of 'going under' and then waking up feeling that no time had passed at all. If she's quite grown up maybe she could talk to a doc alone - might make her feel more 'in control'?

My DD has had quite a few MRIs with contrast dye as she had a brain tumour when little and the Drs needed the contrast to see how things were. She had GA when very little but this stopped when she was 7. A canula (is that the right word?) was put in her arm and the dye injected about half-way through the scan. Completely painless and no side effects. The MRI is noisy but headphones are provided and I used to go in with her. HTH

Poor baby

She is probably imagining all sorts. At 12 we kind of think they get stuff and then find out that they really dont. I thought my DD (12, very bright) knew what chemo was, found out just before she had it she thought she was going to be electrocuted

I NEVER made the mistake of thinking she understood again.

Ask her specific questions? What do you think will happen, why do you think that? What will make you feel safer? What do you want to ask and who?

Call the hospital and arrange for a play therapist to be present. A bit of distraction can work wonders.

I hope it goes ok.

Thanks for the reassurance. Am going to take her favourite CD this time and will speak to her in more detail re her fears. It really is the GA she is most worried about. I have told her that it is a natural feeling and have told her how I felt when i was having CS but it doesn't seem to help. I live abroad so a play therapist is not available it doesn't help that her friend's Dad is a vascular surgeon and had told his kids about cutting a mans leg off recently. The op if it happens is on her hip so will get past the MRI and then take it from there.

Hmm does sound like she has had a bit too much of the wrong type of info and its scared her.

I found being honest with my DD helped i.e. Sweetheart I know you are scared but this is something you HAVE to do. There isnt a choice, its just got to be done'

I didnt say that in a harsh way IYSWIM. I found because she knew there was no way around it, it sort of gave her permission to give in.

I had two years of DD having to go through the most dreadful treatments. Its so stressful for you and her. I hope you can help her through. Lots of treats, lots of praise and lots of love. Acknowledging how horrible it is but reinforcing it has to be done.

HTH

Thank you so much for your response and understanding. It's so hard when you can't 'solve' their worries.
I have read some of your previous posts and know your beautiful daughter is no longer with you. I am so sorry for your loss she was very lucky to have such a lovely lady as her Mum and I know you will have been lucky to have her. Thanks for making me feel better and in turn my DD x

I have gone through a number of CTs and PET scans. I can understand your worry - we mothers would rather take on the burden than see our children go through it.

It will be very hard but try be light with it, as if it is an adventure. Take something nice for her to read (there is often something of a wait) and something to eat afterwards.

A GA is actually quite relaxing - but she may feel a little sicky afterwards. Why not take a blanket from home - it will be comfort and warmth.

Wishing you all the best. Hoping all goes well. I have a 13/nearly 14 year old myself.

I am 32 and I still worry about GA's but I guess that is because I have never had one. The thought of being put to sleep like a pet is always what comes to mind with me. Definitely get her a chat with the anaethetist if you can. Fear of the unknown is far worse than the reality :)

There may be books about hospital visits pitched at children? Also, consider buying her a relaxation cd which she can listen to every night before she sleeps. You may be able to get one specifically for building self confidence and allaying fears of medical procedures.

There are also hypnotherapists who specialise in treating children facing medical procedures and they can be very effective. Not sure where you live by you may find a reputable one through your doctor or through a hypnotherapist association.

Reassuring your DD is obviously important, but if she can develop the "tools" to feel she can control her fearful and anxious thoughts by physically relaxing she will come through the whole process in a much better frame of mind.

I hope she gets better very soon.

Thankyou Buddhastic
I feel for you and your DD so much. If all else fails you can always try the 'just think! This time tommorow it will all be over!'

The blanket suggestion is a good one. A nice supersoft fleecy one. I think its important that children who have to act very grown up, are allowed to behave like little ones sometimes. (if that makes sense).

Let us know how you get on?

The anaesthetists are usually very good at explaining to kids what's going to happen and talk to them at a level they understand.

they also have play specialists who also 'prep' children before. I know she's 12 but they can still pitch it to their age (I once stayed behind after rounds to consent and saw them in action - very very good even for older kids).

For the MRI, it's noisy but not problematic. The dye is safe and painless - the worst bit is getting the needle/cannula done! And on the plus side, it's an MRI rather than CT. If they routinely scan children, the technicians are normally quite good at reassuring them about what's happening.

Is she having a GA for the scan? I only ask as DS1 had a MRI a couple of months ago & he was sedated with oral medication. If you have the choice that might be better for her. He still had to have a canula but that was only used to insert the dye half way through the scan whilst he was still under.

I sat in there with him throughout the scan & TBH it was a bit daunting! The room was dark, freezing cold, I could feel the magnetic force pulling at my earrings (you only have to remove large metal items!) & the machine makes a weird clunking noise but it went really quickly & I think it was reassuring for him to know that I was there. Have you asked if you can go in with her as that might help to reassure her.

My ds (7) has had a couple of these. They are harmless and painless. They will put a cannula in but if she is scared about this she can ask for the numbing cream. It might also be worth her taking a c'd in as sometimes they can play these through headphones whilst doing the scan - some even have t.v's!

It would be great if she had time to meet up with a play specialist. We had one that came with us to these appointments when at one hospital.

I have often said to my ds the same thing as thefirstmrsdevere has said because it's true - if he doesn't go through certain procedures he won't get better.

Hi my 12 year old ds had a MRI with contrast dye a few weeks ago due to a strange hip complaint.we get results on Monday. His hip clicks and he has been in agony since november on and off.what hip problem does your child have, we are a bit desperate. The MRI was fine.I could not go in with him though and he said it was fine. We had far more problems with him finding the cannula painful.if anyone has advice about hip issues please advise.good luck to you both

my dd had a dye scan when she was 2 weeks old. it wasn't an mri scan but not dissimilar. she had an iv put in her wrist and then the dye was put in and i held her on the machine.

scattermummy, when i was 12 i had sufe it caused great damage to my hips, although mine was a really bad case, my right femur entirely dislocated and the left one wasn't far behind. when your ds's hips are sore does he walk like a duck? i still do when mine get sore. if it is sufe and you want some advice PM me any time, i have a few tips.

should say scattermummy that wiki page i linked is a bit extreme, don't get worried about it.

Similar to a few here, I ahve had a few scans of various sorts. THe biggest risk is radiation, bit it is only equiv to a couple of x-rays or a few flights - ie nothing that you would worry about!

The contrast agent (depending on the one used), MAY make her feel like she needs to pee. The nurses will tell her she won't actually go but she wont believe them (I didn't believe, but also did not pee); if this is the case, it might make her a bit anxious.

Only other thing to worry about re the MRI is that it is noisy. It felt a bit like I was in a computer game, with all the whizzes and the bangs. Maybe you could somehow make that seem a cool thing?

And re the GA - might it help to mention to her friends and family who have had them and are blatantly still here and fine? Certainly I have spoken to 2x friends' children just to say that a) yup, I ahve had them, b) nope, was totally asleep and felt/remember nothing, and c) am still here.

Good luck!

Thanks all. She will need the GA for the op. She isn't worried about the MRI thankfully that was only me. The docs think that she has a tear in the labrum. This makes her hip lock and she cannot cross one leg. She is in a great deal of pain when it happens and a operation will go ahead if it is confirmed with the dye. She told me two nights ago that the other hip had done it two or three times in the last month but had been frightened of the consequences if she told anyone. Poor baby. We have been to a few docs and one says she needs the op which begins with an athroscopy to identify the problem then he will do the repair once he sees it. The doctor yesterday said no way do we go in until we have a clear picture of the tear. Other two docs were useless and had no idea what they should or should not be saying in front of a scared kid. We had to see the other docs because of our health insurance but it just made her more nervous. I will let you know how it all goes. I love Mumsnet you have all been so kind thank you.

Poor thing... I'm sure it will be all OK but her imagination must be running wild... well, I know mine would even now. I'm with the doctor that says no way to exploratory surgery; that always seems a bit dodgy to me when you can get better ideas through MRI, etc first... scalpel happy surgeons. Is there a guidance counselor or someone you could talk to and put you in touch with someone else that has been through the same surgery your DD may need to? That may help her ease her mind a little.

Bless her. I wish I could do something to help.

Breaks my heart to think of her too scared to tell about her other hip (NO judgement on you implied).

Complicated things, 12 year old girls .