Advice needed on how to make 2yo happier about daily injections

[WhiteWineAndJaffaCakes]

DD 2.9 has to have growth hormone injections once a day with a pen similar to the ones used for diabetic injections. She started last week and was fine at first, but the last couple of nights she's been very resistant to the idea, saying that it hurts.

She's ok while she's actually having the injection and she gets a sticker on a chart straight after, which she takes very seriously and takes minutes choosing , it's more the anticipation that's in danger of becoming a problem. We've tried putting ice on it (coloured, in a bag so it's not wet) but she won't tolerate that for long enough for it to numb her leg enough.

I'm worried that over the days it's going to escalate into a struggle/tantrum/tears - anybody else giving injections to a young toddler that can offer reassurance or ideas/advice?

Pixie - good suggestion about the stickers, will try that tomorrow. Also about the preparing - we're trying to involve her at the moment so she feels more in control, but maybe that's not helping.

A daily injection seems minor compared to an asthma pump and canula change - dd had to have a canula for blood tests recently and went mental, so I feel for you.

My DD has GH too, with a Novopen so probably very similar to yours. Are you taking it out of the fridge a little while before giving it? It seems to hurt less at room temperature.

Ice can make injections more painful; we do DDs straight after her bath whilst she's still warm and it doesn't seem to bother her so much. She started them at 14 months and we always got her to help us - she puts her thumb on top of mine now and helps to push.

There is some research that suggests sugar really does take pain away so you could try a chocolate button as you're giving it!

Or try giving it when she's asleep - the needle is so fine that it is relatively painless and she's unlikely to wake.

Good luck

give her a chocolate button yto suck while you do it.

x post sidge

I sympathise - I am 34 and have just had to start giving myself injections for MS. For me, the anticipation is worse than the injection. How about giving it to her as you wake her up- then there would be no anticipation build up. Also, I know of a 4 yr old child that has MS and takes the same injections as me. Her parents put a numbing cream (I think it might be called EMLA??) on her a couple of hours before injecting. Or how about a numbing spray rather than an ice pack.

Lol at chocolate buttons - seems to be the recommended therapy! I might get a stock in in case things get worse over the next few days.

Sidge - yes, we're taking it out of the fridge half an hour before. We're using the Nordipen - the same as the Novopen I think except with this one you don't have to push the needle in, there's a button that shoots it in for you (very needlephobic-friendly ). She helps with counting to 5 once the plunger's pressed - a bit worried about her helping press it down, she's more likely to grab hold of it given half the chance. Not sure about giving it to her while she's asleep - if it did wake her up wouldn't it be impossible to keep her still?

Keresley - mornings would be better I think as she's more uncooperative when she's tired. Growth hormone has to be given at night though to mimic the body's natural production. The hospital have also said emla cream shouldn't be used on a daily basis, and the only time I've tried a spray on dd was a savalon spray and that prompted a meltdown so I won't be trying that again unless I've got no alternative! (Sorry, that was a really negative reply!)

Keresley, you know a 4 year old child with ms? Seriously? I am just curious, have never heard if it this young before. Are they in uk? My brother has ms and has had for 9 years, dx at 24. How are your injections going? My brother didn't go for them, but thankfully his seems mild for the minute.

There is some evidence that an oral sugar solution reduces the pain and stress response children get from an injection.

If chocolate buttons are your preferred mode of delivery I think that will work!

Well large slabs of dairy milk chocolate buttons always work for me - reduce my stress response every time