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Original poster

So how on EARTH will I get ds, not yet 2, to lie still for a series of x-rays?????

38 replies

emkana · 12/03/2008 23:13

In May they want to do a full skeletal survery of ds again, to try and find out what type of dwarfism he has.

ds is extremely shy and esp weary around medical staff. There is no WAY he's going to lie still just like that, and he doesn't respond to bribery yet either. So what can I do???? Is there anything harmless I could give him to take?

OP posts:

yurt1 · 13/03/2008 09:05

Oh that might be why they don't bother (no-one has ever managed to take ds1's blood pressure and they obviously can't chat to him).

Original poster

emkana · 13/03/2008 09:21

It will be done in Bristol Children's Hospital.

It will be more than one x-ray though, they have to do his legs, his arms, his torso, his hand, his skull...

don't know what to do...

postpone, sedative...

[emkana frets]

OP posts:

tortoiseSHELL · 13/03/2008 09:42

emkana, that's where ds2 had his, they were lovely (once I got past the receptionist, who told me categorically that we couldn't have an x-ray there, because it was a CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, and I was not a child.....).

Don't fret - I was really impressed with how they handled it, there were 2 x-ray people, one to do the actual x-ray, one to help with ds2. Obviously he didn't need so many x-rays, but they did cope with him going absolutely ballistic...

Don't worry though - there'll be a solution!

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 13/03/2008 18:01

They'll be used to fractious children Em so I'm sure it will be fine. Although I don't promise that there won't be tears or that you won't have to hold him down/still.

Sedation may not be possible because the leg/hip x-rays are often done standing. dd has been sedated in the past with chloral hydrate but I'm not sure they use it anymore and they probably would need a doctor present even if only to administer.

Original poster

emkana · 13/03/2008 23:11

standing up? STANDING UP?

OP posts:

Haribosmum · 14/03/2008 07:48

My DS2 had a series of xrays last november when he was 11 months. The hospital had a piece of apparatus to strap him into which kept his body still. Yes, it wasn't easy and I still had to hold him down (which made me feel really mean as he was screaming and looking at me with a look of 'why are you doing this Mummy') BUT he didn't hold it against me LOL and I'm sure he doesn't remember it now. The important thing is to TRY and give the impression of being calm (even if you're a nervous wreck inside LOL), reassure him LOTS and give plenty of kisses and cuddles afterwards. I wish you luck.

tortoiseSHELL · 14/03/2008 08:26

Ds2's hip one was lying down emkana (standing would have been an impossibility at the time as he couldn't!).

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 14/03/2008 08:39

Sorry Em - didn't mean to make you fret further. dd has definitely had standing ones but I'm not sure at what age.

sallywally27 · 16/03/2008 21:54

see if you can visit the xray suite beforehand, also ask to speak with play specialists who may have some advice. It's really hard, but if you perhaps play some standing still games so he gets used to it beforehand then you might be ab;e to do that when the time comes - if you can't get sedation sorted out.

Original poster

emkana · 16/03/2008 21:56

Well according to the consultant at my local hospital they won't be keen on using sedation, but she feels that they have a lot of experience at the children's hospital and might manage it.

I'll just have to wait and see. If it doesn't work out, we'll just have to wait till he's older. It's not a matter of life and death to get those x-rays now.

OP posts:

worley · 16/03/2008 22:23

speaking as a radiographer, we are used to doing lots of skeletal surveys on all sorts of children, quite ones, loud ones, ones that kick and bite!! we are used to it dont worry and dont worry what we will thinks.
we try to get it done as quickly and as calmly as possible for the child. i appreciate its not nice havibng to help hold your child still and know that we wont always get a perfect image from a child.

i've never come across a child being sedated for an xray, an mri or ct maybe, but as we have to move the position of the child so manytimes its easier to have them awake and not happy with us than to have them flopping about.

we always keep the parents in the room with the child, and have one radiographer positioning the child with the other radiographer taking the image. the will give you a lead gown to wear, check youre not pregnant etc etc.

it will be fine, dont worry , we've all seen it before!!

worley · 16/03/2008 22:26

i also meant to add that i personally get the children to play statues with me, put their arms/legs/whatever in the right place then say ready statues, they only have to be still for half a second for each image, its just getting them in the right position to start with!!

Original poster

emkana · 17/03/2008 09:45

worley, that's really helpful and encouraging. Thank you

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