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Original poster

DD has to have a sweat test to see if she has CF

92 replies

WelshBoris · 01/12/2006 15:53

Had phone call from doctor about an hour ago, have to go to hopsital on Wednesday morning when the next clinic is

Someone come and tell me it will be Ok please

OP posts:
Jimjams2 · 01/12/2006 19:38

DS1 was queried as CF as well after chest infections as a baby. They always at least consider it because it is so common.

heavenlyghosty · 01/12/2006 19:40

{{hugs}} WB ... no experience but wanted to let you know you and DD are in my thoughts {{{}}}

TreeFuses · 01/12/2006 19:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

hatwoman · 01/12/2006 19:46

thinking of you and dd, like everyone else has said, I'm sure this is precaution

Original poster
WelshBoris · 02/12/2006 08:45

Thank you girls, the test is on Wednesday and I shall know the results 2 weeks from then so I shall let you know.

OP posts:
AllieAndTheIvy · 02/12/2006 09:10

boris, i'm sorry you're having such a bad time of it. If you need any stalking, please just let me know hope your lovely dd is feeling better, and that you're looking after yourself
x

Saturn74 · 02/12/2006 09:13

WB, I agree with the other posters re this being a precautionary measure.
My 2yo neice had the CF test when she was hospitalised with pneumonia, then recurring chest infections.
All was well, luckily.
Sending best wishes to you and your DD next week.

MerryChristmasfromQV · 02/12/2006 09:18

How did I miss this thread?

Boris - I'm sure she'll be fine - as I said elsewhere - I think they just want to 'officially' rule it out.

pindy · 02/12/2006 09:32

Hi WB

Haven't posted before - been following the other thread. Glad your DD is on the mend.

Just want to tell you about my experiences with ds when he was a baby. Loads of chest infections and the cough was awful and kept making him sick! Anyway to cut a long story short the doctor suggested a sweat test just to rule out cf! Yikes. Anyway, took him along and I was petrified - hadn't really thought about cf until doc mentioned it then it was everywhere!

Had the test done and THE NEXT day they rand me to say it was all clear no problems, god I didn't realise until then just how worried I had been! Yes he still got chest infections etc but they used stronger antibiotics - not the general amoxy, begins with K but can't remenber the rest. Anyway they always worked immediately.

Will point out that ds was 10 weeks early but weighed 4 lb (good for gestation) and now he is 12y 8 months and 5'11" - very very healthy. Still gets colds that sometimes go to his chest but really has grown out of whatever the reason was for it originally.

Please be positive - I know that it is very hard not to imagine the worst - but at least they are checking. One thing I would press for is a quicker result to the test. As I said the hospital called me the next day to confirm it was clear. This was an NHS hospital not private or anything special. They will understand that you are worried and need to know the result.

You may not know what happens at a sweat test, if you do please ignore the rest, but if not, the child is dressed warmly (to make them sweat obviously!!) and then there are several patches put on them, then they play for about an hour. Yes you may have to play with her - the last thing you may feel like doing - but there may also be other children there having the same test so she could play with them. May have changed slightly since we went through this but not much.

Anyway, sorry for the long rambling, but couldn't not post this time.

All the very best and I will be thinking of you and dd. Good luck. Let us know the outcome please.

X

Heartmum2Jamie · 02/12/2006 09:42

I thin it has changed a little Pindy. although our experience was 18 months ago :0

In our case, the just put these 2 sticky pad type things in the inside of ds's arm (they tried his leg in the last test) which attaches a small electrode. The then turn on this tiny little machine and it sends a small electric current to the arm, I suppose it feels a little like a tens machine that's on a really low setting. It stimulates the sweat glands. It means that the test only take 30 minutes tops. I did make sure that I dressed ds up quite warm to see if he would sweat more, but alas, his eczema meant that his skin just reabsorbed any mosture that he might have produced, lol.

Oh, and Boris, you probably won't have to wati that long for the results, I was originally told 2 weeks, but the people doing the test said they would call with the result, probably the next day. It it probably worth telling them how concerned you are. HUGS

pindy · 02/12/2006 09:54

Thanks Heartmum2Jamie - thought they may have updated things a bit!!

They playing only took up to an hour depending on how much they sweated. Did the electrode method mean your ds had to stay still or could he move about?

Heartmum2Jamie · 02/12/2006 10:05

He could move about to an extent, but the electrode bit only takes 10 minutes, then they take it off and put a bit of special paper that collects sweat on the site, under a big plastic wrapping for 15-20 minutes. He could move freely then

Mirage · 02/12/2006 21:23

My friends ds2 had this test.He has virtually never been off antibiotics since he was born & has constant chest & ear infections.She was prepared for the worst,but the test came back clear.

I hope you get the same news.

DumbledoresGirl · 02/12/2006 21:30

Oh no WB, I have only just seen this. What a dreadful worry hanging over you!

Try to take comfort from what other Mners have said about this being a common precautionary test. I really hope you get the all clear straightaway.

Cappuccino · 02/12/2006 21:38

wb you keep strong lovely girl

give your dd a kiss from me

(don't tell her it's from a stranger )

tamum · 02/12/2006 21:46

I think the other thing to bear in mind is that yes, it's precautionary, but also even if the worst came to the worst and the test was positive, she must have a very mild form if her weight gain has been fine and no other signs until now. Chin up.

Babydaze · 03/12/2006 00:14

I know it is so worrying for you. My DD had the Sweat Test too because of her v slow weight gain, constant cough, chest infections etc. It was thankfully clear. If your little one's weight gain is normal then I think that's a positive/good sign, (as someone else has also said)You really can't help worrying. The silly thing is that even when the test is normal,as with our DD. You then worry that they've got it wrong! Then you keep worrying about all the other possibilities. It's never a never ending cycle! Thinking of you. (HUG)

ShinyHappyStarOfBethlehem · 03/12/2006 00:40

WB, just wanted to say that if, worse case scenario, she has CF (she very probably does not) then it is not as bad as you imagine at the time of diagnosis. DS (age 14) has it and tonight we have been to his swimming club presentation night and where he picked up 7 trophies and 6 medals. (I am a wee bit squiffy as a result.. am so proud of him .. just wanted to tell you though in case it helps.)

Thinking you of you.. don't panic over the test itself; it's not nasty or invasive and will, I hope, be negative.

RickmanAroundTheXmasTree · 03/12/2006 00:59

Hi. My dd was also tested for CF after many chest infections. She was clear for CF, but she did have an IgA deficiency. This is a fairly common immune deficiency and I can post some info if you think it would help. I don't know the background of your dd being sent for the sweat test, so I might be barking up the completely wrong tree. Anyway, if you want any info just shout, hope all goes well with the test.

mommylove · 03/12/2006 14:15

Hi I know all to well what it feels like going for a sweat test. My son was 3 months old when he had his, he is now 10. The sweat test proved positive and I was devastated, but please be reassured that this is not the end of the world. As I said, he is now 10 and an amazing boy. He plays football for his school and a local (1st division) team, and also has been picked for a football development scheme. He also plays golf regularly and skis when he has the chance and will try anything. If anyone meets my boy the last thing they would imagine is that, he is ill. Yes, we have a tough regime of medication and physio but in my eyes, you have to rule the illness and not the other way round. My son is as fit as the next boy ? if not fitter ? C.F is scary and unknown but believe me it is a start not an end. If you need to talk or just a sounding bored, don?t hesitate to message me.

ShinyHappyStarOfBethlehem · 03/12/2006 14:18

(Is that 3 CF parents, we have MN now Mummylove? You, me and Buffy? ) Glad your DS is doing so well..)

Jimjams2 · 03/12/2006 14:20

They were going to test ds1 after a lot of chest infections but the consultant decided not to because (I quote "he's hardly failure to thrive is he". I took that to mean the weight thing is quite important.

Original poster
WelshBoris · 06/12/2006 15:48

Thanks for all your advice on this girls, went for test 11am this morning, my mum works in the hosptial so rang DDs consultant at 3 and

"It" "was" "clear"

OP posts:
Original poster
WelshBoris · 06/12/2006 15:48

it was clear

OP posts:
Dottydotthehalls · 06/12/2006 15:49

Fantastic news!!!!