Child fear needles blood test

[ithinkitsdone]

Wise people, any advice on blood tests and kids.

My 9 Yr old is petrified of needles.
Her blood test 6 months ago was awful and she now has a fear.

She has to get more blood tests done but last week was a disaster. She totally freaked and had a panic attack.

We tried this week again with Elma cream to numb the area. Doctor prescribed antihistamines to relax her.
I couldnt even get her into the surgery.

She is not an anxious kid, tends to roll with most things and take them in her stride but not this.

It's booked for next week to try again.

Any advice?

Distraction can help. iPad with a favourite show on it and headphones. If you're doing this at your local surgery it could be useful to take someone with you to hold the iPad in the right place so that you can comfort her through it.

I talk about it a lot with DD. How the procedure can be over and done in 2 minutes if we just get on with it which is much better than it taking 20 minutes. Unfortunately I have to admit that once there's a real fear there's not much that can be said to help it.

My DD(7) has had to endure 15-20 blood tests in the past few months. She is now starting to handle it a bit better but it's been bloody awful at times requiring multiple staff to hold her (but this is in hospital).

I've also given DD my complete blessing to scream her way through it. It seems to be a useful outlet for her. She will now hold her arm still but will make a lot of noise.

My 9yo is the same. Hasn't had any blood tests for awhile now but screams and panics when she does have them. Injections aren't much fun with her either.

I think in a child that age the most important thing is that they understand why the blood test is necessary so they can see why they need to go through with it. They also need to understand the consequences of making it difficult for the blood test to be carried out (e.g. takes longer but will still have to happen at some point, condition might get worse if they leave it and then may need more interventions, if they move around a lot the needle may have to be reinserted).

I think my daughter has found it helpful to hear me advocate for her - explaining how much she hates needles and querying whether blood tests are actually necessary. Sometimes medical professionals will suggest a blood test that might be helpful but isn't really essential and won't have a significant impact on treatment. If a child is having surgery, it may be possible for the cannula to be put in after they are unconscious from the gas and for any routine blood tests to be done then too.

For the blood test itself, my daughter decided she didn't want to be told about it until we were on the way there. Keeping her as calm as possible beforehand by watching something on a iPad helps a bit. But during the procedure she is in too much of a state for that to be helpful (practically threw the play therapists iPad across the room!) I encourage her to breathe but I don't think that helps much! Afterwards we go and buy some sweets or something so she at least has something positive to associate with the experience.

I think there is support available through the hospitals for children who need frequent blood tests or injections.

Have you had any play leader involvement?

Look up the “magic glove” hypnotherapy technique!! And give it a try at home first

I'm going to look up this hypnotherapy technique.

I have to say that my experience is that the play therapists aren't able to do an awful lot to help once there is already an established fear. We had a play therapist for DD's first blood test and this was certainly helpful. Unfortunately the subsequent 25-minute long failed cannulation attempt has left DD with a trauma that no one can help with.

thanks folks for your suggestions.

i think the fear is now there and i honestly couldnt get her even into the surgery yesterday - she was so upset and panicking.

she had the emla cream on and knows that she cant feel the sensation but tht didnt take the edge off her. i will look at the magic glove but not sure as it may help.

there has been no mention of play therapist etc at the surgery.

the next test was the first thing she mentionned this morning so i am just playing it low key about next week.