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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not want DD to have more blood tests

34 replies

wejammin · 26/04/2018 17:49

DD is nearly 4. For the last few months she has been complaining regularly of having pins and needles in her hands and feet. Eventually I thought it was getting worrying so I took her to the GP who checked her over and said it could be a deficiency and she would need a blood test to diagnose.

Fair enough so DH took her to the hospital for the blood test and it was really really distressing for DD. I'd prepared her in advance, shown her a children's video of blood tests etc, she took toys for distraction. She's never one for fuss and has her immunisations fine, but she was hysterical. They couldn't get blood from either arm and had to use the back of her hand whilst she was restrained. After the test she wouldn't let anyone touch her arms for 2 days and I couldn't even change her top as she wouldn't lift her arms up.

The results came back and the GP wanted to see us, DH took her today and she has a mild to moderate calcium deficiency (normal range is 2.2 - 2.6, DD is 2.05). GP said it could be various things and she would need a different blood test to diagnose the cause. She wasn't really willing to engage in any discussion about it according to DH and dismissed his concern about DD being distressed again.

I fully accept that I am not a doctor and not medically trained. I've spent half the day doing online reading and tried to look at what seem to be reputable sources. From what I can see, the deficiency is most likely to be dietary or poor absorption due to low vitamin D. DD is dairy intolerant so dietary is very possible.

My thoughts were can't we try her with a supplement, see if it resolves the pins and needles, and if not then have the blood test? What happens if you don't agree with the GP? Should I try and have a telephone appointment to discuss this? I rang the surgery today but they were closed for training.

OP posts:

JamPasty · 26/04/2018 18:05

I know this isn't what you're asking, but if she has to have another blood test, I would ask if they could try her hand first, and use a topical anesthetic so it doesn't hurt. Having people try and fail with the arm is bloody grim. And restraint may well be needed, but the quicker it's done the better, then off for massive treats. Hugs

moita · 26/04/2018 18:21

I totally understand it's upsetting but maybe next time you could both go and restrain her. Just get it done quickly.

Bambamber · 26/04/2018 18:21

Take her for a second opinion if you don't yo go straight for more blood tests, but I imagine that they would want to find the cause of a calcium deficiency in a growing child as quickly as possible to be able to treat it and prevent any problems

Bambamber · 26/04/2018 18:21

*Don't want to go

Bambamber · 26/04/2018 18:31

If you think it may be dietary, I've taken this page from my booklet in case it helps until you speak to the GP. And apparently 1-3 year olds need 350mg per day and 4-6 years need 450mg

Bambamber · 26/04/2018 18:32

Photo didnt post

BexConnor · 26/04/2018 18:35

I have very narrow veins and getting blood out of me/a needle in to a vein for an IV is generally a bit of a nightmare and I'm well known for it at my surgery. It's horrible being repeatedly jabbed and back of the hand is rather painful so I do sympathise with your DD.

If you do take your daughter for the second test, make sure her arm(s) are really nice and warm and get her moving before the test, it really helps me to flex my arm up and down and make opening and closing grips with my fist, it gets the blood moving and widens the veins. Last time I did this in the waiting room and wore a really nice warm fleece etc and they got blood out first try and I was in and out in a couple of minutes so there are ways of making it happen a bit easier. Difficult with a little one, I know but if there's a medical problem there (or could be) it might be best to know.

DuchyDuke · 26/04/2018 18:35

They need to rule out hypoparathyroidism, malabsorption, hormonal conditions, Cancer, and kidney problems - all of which can present with slightly low calcium levels. Moderately low calcium only tends be seen as ‘normal’ for non-white people as brown and black people and even then under specific conditions.

Perhaps try to bribe her with sparkly plasters / lollies or other treats? Pandering to her now is not the right decision at all - her health should be the top priority for you.

DuchyDuke · 26/04/2018 18:37

as brown and black people have lower vitamin d serum levels.

Justanotherzombie · 26/04/2018 18:39

Calcium deficiency could be the symptom not the result. If the dr is saying she needs further tests then I’d be doing them but did the doc say what he’s trying to rule out?

I’m not sure I’d have shown a 4 yr old videos in advance. My eldest is a worrier and sometimes more information is counterproductive when it’s sonething non-optional and potentially distressing. I’d downplay it all as much as possible and avoid too much detail about blood etc.

Justanotherzombie · 26/04/2018 18:40

I definitely wouldn’t be avoiding the test.

RedOrange21 · 26/04/2018 18:41

Did you use the topical anesthetic cream? My 3 year old daughter also had a blood test recently and didn't even notice it being done that stuff worked so well! You can get it over the counter if it's not prescribed (called EMLA).

Original poster

wejammin · 26/04/2018 18:42

Thanks everyone. Consensus is to take her then.

I should have said in the OP - I'm mixed race so she does have a predisposition to vitamin d deficiency.

@justanotherzombie she asked to see a video. She loves Dr Ranj on CBeebies and we were looking for one of his when I found the other one. It was very very preschool friendly.

OP posts:

Rawhh · 26/04/2018 18:43

I was your daughter. Having blood test were horrible and traumatic.

However, you need to rule out anything more sinister.

Make sure DD is well hydrated.
Get her blood moving.
As other have said ask for them to try the hand first with numbing cream. BUT Some places won't even try the hand first - my surgery won't even though they always end up taking from my hand in the ens.
Make it fun - don't tell her she's having a blood test before going in. The more the fear has time to grow in her the more hysterical she will be.

Original poster

wejammin · 26/04/2018 18:43

@RedOrange21 she did have the cream but it was only on 30 mins and I read that might not be long enough?

OP posts:

Chatcat1 · 26/04/2018 18:44

My dd aged 2 has blood tests a few months ago at a private hospital. It was horrendous so I feel you pain and understand your hesitation.
The private hospital put a cream on each arm for half and hour to numb the areas and they used an infra red roll that finds the veins under the skin.... could you possibly try private?
It wasn't uneventful but it got it done quicker then if they'd were manually searching for a vein x

Uniquack · 26/04/2018 18:45

Find a hypnotherapist to do the 'magic spot' for her. We hypnotise children (and adults) who are scared of needles into believing they have a magic spot on their arm/hand/wherever, where it won't hurt to have an injection/blood taken. It really works .

RedOrange21 · 26/04/2018 18:45

Yeah the nurse told me it says 1 hr on the packet but recommended 1.5hrs over the phone - maybe it needs longer.

claraschu · 26/04/2018 18:46

If you have the test, also give her a large warm drink in the half hour before the test, and keep her very warm and comfortable. My daughter had trouble with a blood test, and the wonderful nurse gave her tea, wrapped her in blankets, and sat chatting with her till she was comfortable, relaxed, warm, and full of tea.

Original poster

wejammin · 26/04/2018 18:50

Can you request a different hospital? They went to the local General hospital last time and I wonder if the Children's Hospital might be better with more distraction techniques? We've had treatment there before and they were wonderful with DS. We're about equidistant from the 2 but the Children's Hospital is in a different local authority.

OP posts:

RafikiIsTheBest · 26/04/2018 18:50

I don't think you did anything wrong with preparing her with videos, sounds like for your DD it was the right and best way forwards. Seems that all was well until they couldn't get blood. I've had it taken from the back of my hand and it was bloody painful. I'm hoping they used that numbing gel for her but it can take a while to work and it (IMO) only takes the edge off. Add in already upset and being restrained I'm not surprised she was distraught. I would be too. Poor kid.

All that said, I think she needs to carry on with the tests. If I were you I'd sit with her whilst playing with some toys (brushing dolls hair, jigsaws or colouring in are good - something as a alternative focus but not taking full attention) and talk to her about it. You know it was horrible last time, Daddy say's it was horrible too, validate her feelings on it, but the tests have shown that some special nutrients are low, it could be as simple as not enough vitamins in her diet or it could be something else that needs special medicine, to find out they will have to do another blood test. You know it's not nice, and you, the nurses and doctors wish there was an easier way but you all need to know she's healthy and stop those horrible pins and needles that happen too. Tell her about things that might make it easier... being warm and active before to get her blood pumping faster and veins wider or whatever she will understand and that it will have to happen.
There really isn't anything more for it.

Good luck

Original poster

wejammin · 26/04/2018 18:50

@Uniquack that sounds great but is it expensive?

OP posts:

Original poster

wejammin · 26/04/2018 18:52

@RafikiIsTheBest thanks that sounds like good advice

OP posts:

LemonysSnicket · 26/04/2018 19:00

I’d get a brain scan too tbh - epilepsy can present as pins and needles.

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 26/04/2018 19:03

I would ask about paediatric specialist blood collection services, either in the paeds department or if you have a children’s hospital locally.

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