Sedation for blood test for teenager?

[Thisisarubbishusername]

Has anyone’s teenager been given nasal or other sedation at an NHS hospital to allow a blood test to be administered to a severely phobic teen? Our son needs blood tests but has a severe phobia of fainting during/after the procedure, after having fainted before. I’m not sure that all the CBT, distraction, preparation and other techniques he’s trying are going to be enough. Thank you.

You need to get a hold of it. He can’t avoid everything for fear of fainting.

He doesn’t appear to be avoiding everything. Just blood tests.

@untiloneofuscaves he doesn’t “avoid everything” thank you. Exactly where have I said that he does that?! Nowhere. He used to be very anxious about fainting as it happened several times in different circumstances and he has conquered all those worries. This one remains and is proving very difficult to address. So kindly refrain from making judgments like the above that are based on nothing .

And what if he reaches 25 and needs one urgently? If he ever (god forbid) gets really unwell and needs them regularly?

Tough love would work well with my DC1, a firm word and he will do whatever he's told. Not DC2 though. People really need to see outside their own experiences and realise we can't make all children do whatever we want.

I'm guessing he's already tried having it lying down OP? That is how I have my bloods done as I feel dizzy when I have them done. However, I have fainted nearly every time I've had sedation so introducing this may create another phobia. You need to chat with the medical professionals to decide what's in his best interests considering all the risks and benefits.

@ElizabethsTailor thank you, that’s correct x

@untiloneofuscaves im sure if he was 25 and needed one urgently he would have no choices. He’s a 14 year old boy ffs. Have some compassion!

@JLou08 thank you for your kind and considered reply. You’re absolutely right. Interesting to know about your almost fainting with sedation. I’ll discuss again with the professionals (and ignore the keyboard warriors here!).

I’m a fainter after multiple problems getting blood from my tricky veins. Be hydrated, tell them, lie down, look away, breathe deeply, have a biscuit afterwards. I’ve only actually fainted once but maybe a quarter of the time I have blood taken I go white and shaky and get stuck in the cubicle for ages, or they have to go and get the best blood letter they have. It’s embarrassing but unavoidable and they’ve always got the blood in the end. It’s just a needs must. Good luck.

I do, to an extent. I’ve had blood tests and don’t like them. But there’s no way sedation is justified. You seem to be set on the idea though, so I’d start research private phlebotomists.

It should be possible for him to have the blood test done reclined or lying down. That way he is less likely to faint and will also be more relaxed. I have worked in paeds outpatients and it is always teenage boys who get the most worked up about blood tests. Had a few fainters before too and one whose BP dropped dangerously low, but the staff will be well aware of this and will have seen it all before, and will look after him.

If it is pain he is worried about he can have some numbing cream or cold spray put on his arm before they take the blood.

They won't offer sedation as this will also require a cannula and extra monitoring so if he is likely to faint having his blood taken then the same thing will happen with a cannula. Anything they use through a mask e.g. gas like at a dentist will require an anaesthetist and there is no way in a million years they will pull an anaesthetist out of theatres to give gas to an anxious teenager having blood taken, as well as the fact that all of the equipment will be in theatres too, so it is not really comparable to a dentist's at all which is more comparable to a small operating theatre.

@Thisisarubbishusername I understand where you’re coming from. My eldest reacts badly to any cannula or blood test. Guarantee she will vomit, faint or do both. She had a colonoscopy last week, coped fine with the procedure but had to be laid down flat for the cannula.

Just a suggestion ( I am epileptic so know about this) what about Buccal medazilan (spelling?) it’s a paste absorbed through the gums primarily use is a rescue remedy for people who can’t get out of a seizure. Think it might be a benzodiazepine. Worth seeing if it can be given off license for your son’s extreme phobia.

Been through this with DC1 who has ASD. Huge issues with vaccinations, even going to the hospital for the special mat on the floor and 3 nurses option, oh and the stay in the car in the car park and poke an arm out of the window attempt - the nursing team had a bunch of things they were willing to try. Then a blood test was needed and we waited for the special difficult stick lady. However she made a real fuss of how you can't faint lying down (you can, I have) and how she always gets her vein, which just made everything worse. In the end the ordinary hospital phlebotomist did it while DC sat up in a chair without any fuss. The only difference was the complete absence of any fuss, a really quick stick by someone that did nothing else all day, and the fact DC wanted the results of the blood test.

We couldn't get anywhere with sedation but OTC emla cream for the vaccinations did help.

@untiloneofuscaves where have I said I’m set in the idea?! Stop putting words my mouth please. If I was set on it I wouldn’t have started this thread!

@lacksomjam sorry about your experiences, that sounds really unpleasant. Glad you’ve found a way through.

Is he able to be completely honest with his CBT therapist about what his fear of fainting thoughts are? They teach applied tension to make fainting less likely but he may well faint so the work needs to be in decatastrophising fainting. It's vital that he can be completely honest about his fears and not too ashamed to voice them.

@Skyspectacular he wouldnt say anything in response to your sexist and mean question, but he’d tell you where to go as would I. Now kindly leave this thread before I report you for your prehistoric attitudes.

I would suggest you consider a private hospital as they would be more likely to accommodate your request having more time and resources.

@Springtimehere that sounds awful for your child. We do have amazing patient and kind nurses so that is a real bonus. Thank you.

@Sweetiedarling7 might do that if the issue persists but live in hope that he’ll manage next time without needing to go down the sedation route

@CrimeBoyIDontKnow thanks for sharing. Glad you found an approach that worked. I’m hoping we get there too.

Oh bless him, plenty of adults faint when having their blood taken too.
But sedation isn't the answer. I'd suggest:
Telling the hcp about the previous fainting so they are aware.
Plenty of fluids before hand.
Lying down ( means he's safe on a trolley if he does pass out, as well as reducing the risk of a faint).
Distraction techniques.
Looking away so he doesn't see the needle or equipment.
Reassurance that it's nothing to be embarrassed about anyway.
You can be firm but kind at the same time, which is what people in this situation need.

@BeMintFatball i hasn’t heard of the buccal thing, will take a look. Sending well wishes to your eldest.