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Original poster

Handholding please - 3wo having lumbar puncture right now.

36 replies

dizzy77 · 27/06/2013 21:55

In pieces. 3wo Ds2 has been droopy/sleepy all day after a grumpy night. Hv was due her first visit today and recommended we see the dr. Got appt w ooh service at 1930 who found he had a temperature and called the hosp paeds to check what we could give him. They asked us to come in and now I'm in a room hearing him cry on the otherwise of the ward while they poke him.

Anyone been here? Positive stories and support? Sorry a bit brisk but I'm not at my best.

OP posts:
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BoysBoysBoysAndMe · 27/06/2013 21:56

He's in the best place. It's awful to hear and watch but they do need to do it. Hopefully you'll be able to comfort him in a few mins.

Fingers crossed hes better quickly

Wonderstuff · 27/06/2013 21:57

Not been there, but hear holding hand until someone wiser comes along. ((Hugs))

BoysBoysBoysAndMe · 27/06/2013 21:59

A and e did almost constant prodding, poking, needles everywhere, scans, samples taken for two hours when ds3 was 8 weeks old.
They have to check everything at such a young age. I know it's worrying but paediatric units are usually fantastic.

charitymum · 27/06/2013 22:00

Hand holding.0

charitymum · 27/06/2013 22:03

Sorry sent too soon! Not had this but when 3 week old admitted with wheezing nurse said any baby who was crying when they did any kind of tests was a good sign. It means baby at least alert. Hope all goes well. You are now in safest place.

StitchAteMySleep · 27/06/2013 22:04

I hope they find out what is wrong quickly. He really is in the right place and it is good that they have seen him so rapidly.

Soon you will be able to hold him and comfort him.

BeaWheesht · 27/06/2013 22:05

Can you ask to be with him?

Ds didn't have a lumbar puncture but had lots o blood tests at 3 and 6 weeks - horrible but he's a big 6.5 year old now.

Take care, hope he's ok

winnybella · 27/06/2013 22:06

We were told to go to A&E when DD was 3wo and had a slight temperature. She was kept overnight and had bloods taken few times, but no lumbar puncture. Her temp went up and she also had neon-green, frequent diarrhoea. In any case, the doctors discharged her without really knowing what it was but of course they always, always are very vigilant when it's very young babies presenting with fever in case it could be an infection caught from birth (what is it? Strep B? Sorry, don't remember). Having said that, I also have read on here about young babies having simple colds etc so it doesn't have to be anything serious at all.

Original poster
dizzy77 · 27/06/2013 22:08

Thank you this does help. He's back in my arms now and they'll shortly give him fluids by drip to see if that helps his circulation - it was murder trying to get the cannula in for bloods. It will be at least 2 days of antibiotics until the blood tests return, and 2 hours until the preliminary lumbar puncture results are back.

DH is at home with ds1 and frankly he'd just be pacing if he were here. You guys are not pacing. Flowers

OP posts:
inneedofrain · 27/06/2013 22:09

Oh sweetie that's so hard

Dd was a bit older (3mnths) and I was ready to break down the door to get to her. She is happy and healthy and has no memory of it.

Hang in there you will be able to give him a big mummy cuddle in a couple of minuets

doublecakeplease · 27/06/2013 22:10

DS had one at around the same age - they advised us not to be with him - they need to be very precise and a parent being upset isn't helpful.

It's awful op, but please remember that dc won't remember anything about it. Hand holding and hoping dc is ok x

ITCouldBeWorse · 27/06/2013 22:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fromheretomaternity · 27/06/2013 22:11

Ds1 and ds2 both had this! Horrible at the time, they got better soon and are now strapping healthy young boys. I remember the fear and stress well - the baby, at least, will forget it almost immediately.

BeaWheesht · 27/06/2013 22:13

Ah ok different hospitals must have different policies. Understandable.

Remember OP there are people here all night

Runrogrogrun · 27/06/2013 22:14

Had the same for DS2 when he was 6 weeks old. Listening to them trying to find veins and his screaming (the first time I had heard it) will live we me forever. He was in a week but he came through the other side. You really are in the best place; I cannot thank the NHS enough.
Sending hugs and support

WLmum · 27/06/2013 22:15

Poor you and lo, what a horrible experience. Dd2 had a lumbar puncture just before she was 2 having been taken in to hospital be ambulance (called by the gp Hmm). I just wanted to say that almost immediately she had no real recollection of being in hospital and certainly none of the trauma of canulas and lp - the experience was most definitely worse for me than for her.
Wish you both well. Glad he's back in your arms now.

doublecakeplease · 27/06/2013 22:17

Getting canulas in is an art form - DS was prem and tiny and i was astounded by one junior medic who got them in seamlessly first time every time. Another doc was a butcher and i stopped her on her 4th attempt and asked her to get someone else!

I remember the worry and helplessness but like i said - your little one won't :-)

Its hard but do try to rest so that you're not too foggy when docs come to talk to you. I hope you've got everything you need - don't be frightened to ask the nurses

StitchAteMySleep · 27/06/2013 22:19

Poor little thing.

Really glad that the LP went well and that they have got a line in.

They may be small, but babies are fighters. My niece was born at 30 weeks and in hospital with various infections/complications many times. She is now a strapping, healthy 3.5 year old.

I will say a little prayer for you, if you don't mind.

Wereonourway · 27/06/2013 22:21

Thinking of you and little ds op.

Fingers crossed all ok. Ds was prem and had blood taken almost daily. I remember how awful it was hearing him cry.

I hope he has settled some for you. Ill check in first thing tomorrow for some positive news hopefully x

dadditlass · 27/06/2013 22:22

My dd was 6 weeks old when she had it done and was very poorly, but as fast as babies go down hill, when they're getting treatment they bounce back quick. She was back home within 4 days and is now a very healthy 7yr old. Hugs and hand holding x

ProphetOfDoom · 27/06/2013 22:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Shiraztastic · 27/06/2013 22:25

I had this when one of my dc was 10 days old. It's horrid Sad. Turned out to be nothing sinister and said baby is now active, fit, normal, healthy eight year old.

I found it easier once we got to the ward and they looked after us both. Are you breastfeeding? They fed me because I was my baby's sole food source and needed to be there all the time. That helped a bit. G easy on yourself.

I hope you get good news to reassure you soon x

LazyMonkeyButler · 27/06/2013 22:28

No experiences to share but here to offer expert hand holding Thanks.

I sincerely hope they'll be bringing you some good news soon Smile.

crazykat · 27/06/2013 22:31

Hugs dizzy not me but SIL had similar with her DD3, lumbar puncture, blood tests the works. It turned out to be caused by strep B from birth. Dniece is a happy healthy 6 year old.

Fingers crossed for your DS

LoveSewingBee · 27/06/2013 22:46

Yes, been there. It is traumatic, I still find it traumatic to even think about it now, many years later. But they have to do it, it could be a matter of life and death.

I wish you, your ds and dh, lots of strength and positive thoughts. I hope that you can get some rest and are able to grab something to eat and drink.

Fingers crossed that LP comes back clear.