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Original poster

4yr old ds becomes hysterical when he has to have ultrasound-what do I do?

18 replies

rabbitrabbit · 17/09/2007 17:53

Please help. Ds has been ill for some time, he's being tested for Neuroblastoma and he has to have an ultrasound (we're trying again tomorrow.)
He just becomes hysterical at the sight of the ultrasound machine and I don't know what to do...has anyone got any advice?

On the previous appointment we had a particularly unsympathetic sonographer and it went from bad to worse (his appointment was also 2hrs late and he hadn't eaten yet on that day.)

Has anyone's child been nervous before tests like these and how did you get through it?

OP posts:

Twiglett · 17/09/2007 17:54

have you talked him through it from beginning to end like a social story?

bribe him with a toy shop visit afterwards

sorry must be hard

Original poster

rabbitrabbit · 17/09/2007 17:56

Have done Twiglett yes. We've even acted out the whole thing with him as the doctor, then the patient, then god knows what

I know I sound pathetic but if he won't physically get on the couch what can be done?!

OP posts:

Twiglett · 17/09/2007 17:56

they might have to sedate him?

hazygirl · 17/09/2007 17:58

my 3 yr old gd was the same good staff help but when sand bag was placed on her she was hysterical he put tweenie video she still screamed to which he said doesnt she like them,it takes time last two times she was ok,read a book ,take confort toy and ask staff if they can huurry hr through good luck

Twiglett · 17/09/2007 17:58

you don't sound pathetic at all .. I understand I really do .. its like you know this isn't going to happen but you believe that the people around you just expect you to be able to make him do it like they want him to ... isn't it?

well you're right its impossible if he won't do it ..

sounds like he's developed a phobia .. he knows it won't hurt doesn't he

Original poster

rabbitrabbit · 17/09/2007 17:59

I'd never thought that far down the line tbh. I didn't even realise they did that.

OP posts:

Original poster

rabbitrabbit · 17/09/2007 18:04

Thanks Twiglett, that's exactly it. They were just stood there telling me "well it has to be done" and saying to ds "well come on now, mum and dad have probably taken time off work to be here you know"
He's ill and exhausted and he hadn't eaten and she was really mean to a little boy-and yes hazygirl you're right, I think it has given him a phobia.
I had a quite lengthy conversation with the hospital to ensure that we didn't get the same woman for tomorrow, and even that was difficult (lots of "I assure you she's very qualified" comments)

OP posts:

Twiglett · 17/09/2007 18:15

I would suggest that when you go in you have a word with the receptionist and tell her that your DS has developed a huge phobia about this particular test, ask her advice, ask if you can speak to radiogropher beforehand

maybe radiographer could do your tummy first then DS's tummy?

vole3 · 18/09/2007 01:30

It's a shame that the appointment is for tomorrow, but you may have some joy if you phone the childrens ward at the hosptial where the ultrasound is being done and arrange to meet a play therapist a little while before the scan.
They can talk through the 'jelly belly' test with your son and may be able to help during the scan with distraction techniques.
Quite often children of that age develop a dislike of undressing in front of 'strangers', so if you can make sure you take off coat / jumper when you get into the hosptial and he is wearing only a single layer that can be pulled up, then that may make things easier.

Whilst the ideal position is lying down on the couch, potentially it can be done with you lying on your back and him on top of you - face up obviously! Or, if you don't think that will work, if you sit on a chair and him on your lap, it's not ideal, but if they are considering the possibility of a neuroblastoma then the scan has to be done and soon.

The main problem with sedation is that each child responds differently. Some may zonk straight away and if there is a delay be wide awake again before the scan is done, some may not take effect until afterwards, and the usual one for me is that it turns the child into the 'drunk' version of themselves i.e. really crabby and not able to be persuaded about anything.

I hope that they get to the bottom of what is up with your son, but you may be in for a bumpy ride.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 18/09/2007 01:36

What Twiglett said. Go through it, over and over again - every 20 mins or so. Explain each bit and why its happening.

DD is like this with new things and clams up unless she is VERY prepared...

Original poster

rabbitrabbit · 18/09/2007 11:30

Thanks everyone. We're going this afternoon, we're also waiting for the results of some other tests which we hope to get today.

OP posts:

deepbreath · 18/09/2007 13:48

My dd, now aged 4.5, has had to have regular echocardiograms since she was a baby, and she's been scared witless by some of the staff, who have then tutted at her for getting distressed (you really would think they'd be a bit more sympathetic with a child, wouldn't you?)

I found that having her favourite toy around helped a little, I'm sure one nice sonographer checked Pooh bear's heart as well Maybe say you'll do something nice when you get back from hospital for something to look forward to?

Is there any way that your ds can see the screen, so he can see why he's being poked and prodded about? My dd knows about her heart condition, and we say that they are taking special pictures to see if her heart is working OK.

If it's any help, it does get easier for them. Dd was chattering away to a medical student at her last scan, and was actually making her laugh (!)

I hope it goes OK for you all today x

Original poster

rabbitrabbit · 18/09/2007 19:34

Thanks so much to everyone. We went today and he was an absolute star. The lovely lovely woman who did the scan this time was such a help. She explained what the machine did before he had to lie down and he loved it! He watched the screen and even laughed when she said his belly was full of gas- I was dreading his next comment when she said that!

Thanks again, I really appreciated all your comments x

OP posts:

Jzee · 18/09/2007 19:43

I have regular echo's so I can sympathise.. thought I might mention that perhaps you could take a portable DVD player with you next time it might help to distract him. Hope all is Ok.

Twiglett · 18/09/2007 19:46

oh you must be so relieved

hope the results are good for you all too

lenaschildminding · 11/10/2007 12:41

Any results yet? From the heart of a mum to a NB Angel... I hope it's not NB.

margoandjerry · 11/10/2007 12:47

poor little mite but well done him on being so brave. A friend of mine's son went through this and they did lots of playing sleeping lions beforehand as practice but it sounds like you are already doing this kind of thing.

Hope the results are good.

lenaschildminding · 07/11/2007 13:24

rabbitrabbit...

It's been 7 weeks since your DS's scans, I hope that your absense from this post is due to him being ok and you've put this behind you.

I'm sure many mumsnetters are as eager as I am to know the results and how things are.

I wonder if you could let us know.

With kind thoughts...

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