Exhaustion/Fatigue in 12 year old resulting in blood test tomorrow - any advice?

[ArtyFartyQueen]

DD (12) has been suffering from exhaustion/fatigue for the last couple of weeks and has missed nearly a week of school because she can't stay awake! The doctor has requested she has a blood test which is tomorrow so I'm looking for ways to help DD with it as she is terrified of needles and the last time she had to have a blood test, she had to be pinned down!

We've got the numbing cream and I've got some chocolate for afterwards but wondering if anyone else had some helpful tips?

Let the nurse know beforehand...I hate them too...I find it helps if I lie down to have it. Do you think DD might do that? Is it possible she's got a shortage of iron? how is her diet?

Thanks MrsTawdry...I'm a bit concerned that DD is going to lock herself in her bedroom and refuse to come out and I can't force a 12 year old all the way to the doctors!

Her diet isn't great, she refuses to eat much fruit or veg, but most meals I make have blitzed up veg and fruit in them but it's been like that all her life so I don't think that's what it is. The doctor thinks it may be low iron or thyroid issues or just a nasty virus. Whatever it is, I hope we can sort it soon, she's missing quite a bit of school :(

Bribe her. Tell her if she keeps it together for the test then she'll get something lovely. I know it's crap but it might just make her keep it together.

I am sure it probably IS low iron...has she started her periods yet?

DD had blood tests recently and was really nervous. Once the area was numbed though, she said she literally didn't feel a thing.
She had the same symptoms as your dd and it turns out she has a vitamin d deficiency.
Best of luck- soon be over.

Hi as a nurse and the owner of a DH who is needle phobic, i recommend if you have it, an MP3 or i phone with music, plug her in to that and let the nurse get on with the blood taking.

Hope all ok it's worry though for you.

Thanks all - really appreciate your responses. DD has created a playlist for her phone, I've got chocolate in my bag and I've set my alarm to get up super early to put the numbing cream on. She started her periods in the summer and they are really heavy which she is really struggling with. I'm hoping it's something that is easily solvable as it's so horrible to see her like this.

Hi ArtyFarty - good luck with your DD. Pls let us know how she gets on. My 11 yr DD v tired at the moment too, plus very low mood too. She started periods last month. I've suggested we go to GP but she says no so forcefully, it is almost as if she is frightened of going. Very upsetting to see DD's like this isn't it?

Hi starsinthenight - sorry for not replying sooner. We had the blood tests results back on Monday and everything was fine so it's a bit of a mystery. The doctor thinks that DD might just be fighting a long virus and that's why she's so tired. It's been a bit of a struggle this week as I have had to be very firm with DD about going to school and trying to keep up with her homework as her teachers have not given her any slack at all, thankfully it's half term next week so hoping she can recuperate and be feeling much more energised and fresher for the following week. How is your DD doing? Hope she is feeling better!