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SN children

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Original poster

upcoming blood test for DD - worried about the procedure.

15 replies

chocjunkie · 07/02/2012 12:37

DD (4.0 with autism) will have a blood test ion friday. she does not like it at all if people touch her, usually just kicks off and screams etc. I cannot really see how on earth the nurses are going to get even a drop blood out of her. really worried :(

can you please tell me that we will survive and it will be ok?

OP posts:

bigbluebus · 07/02/2012 12:58

Hi. Sorry I've got no personal experience of this as my DD does not have an issue with blood tests. What did spring to mind though is who is actually carrying out the test? If it is just a practice nurse or phlebotomist at GP surgery with little/no experience of children with ASD then I think you are probably doomed to failure. If however, she is going to children's ward at the hospital (which IMO will be your best option) then make sure the play therapist is available for distraction and that the doctor taking the blood is not new/inexperienced/nervous - make sure it is someone confident & unphased! (The ward nurses will be able to identify the best doctor for the job!!!)
Good luck

Original poster

chocjunkie · 07/02/2012 13:02

we are going to the children's ward.

OP posts:

hazeyjane · 07/02/2012 13:03

have you been given any emla crea to numb the area?

Chundle · 07/02/2012 13:07

My dd is 7 and had one a month ago at doc surgery we were given cream to put on an hour before. Dd is a real worrier so I expected the worst. Cream worked and she said she didn't feel a thing and even watched needle go in. I'm sure children's ward will put cream on for you then the put tape over top. The worst bit is peeling tape off before they take the blood as tape is quite sticky

Original poster

chocjunkie · 07/02/2012 13:16

oh, did not know there was this wonder cream. hopefully DD will be ok with it. feeling a bit better now. thanks :)

OP posts:

hazeyjane · 07/02/2012 13:16

With ds, our gp gave us the cream, so that we could put it on all possible areas at home, we then wrapped clingfilm round the areas, and a bandage on top.

lisad123 · 07/02/2012 13:54

We give dd the cream, sit her on my lap with her arm under my armpit, so she can't see what's happening.

hazeyjane · 07/02/2012 13:59

I think the cream takes about 45 mins to work.

I think sitting on lap facing you, is a good position.

Catsdontcare · 07/02/2012 14:58

Ds had blood tests last month. The way they did it was I sat on the bed with ds between my legs and a toy to look at and the on nurse stood and held a book over his arm so he couldn't see and held his arm still whilst another nurse took the blood. Because of how I was sat I was able to hold him tight too. He did cry but it was actually very quick and they got all they needed.

crazymum53 · 08/02/2012 15:56

How much blood do they need to take. Sometimes a finger-prick test will be sufficient if only a small amount is needed. They can use a quick-acting spray that numbs the area very quickly!

spidermanspiderman · 08/02/2012 16:01

Just had ours done today and went really well. Took dh with me! At first was panic mode as went into room and ds had a little melt down as attention on him and new room but soon calmed down. He sat on dh knee with arm going under my dh's arm so he could not see. They spayed his hand to numb it and then did bloods. Whilst all this was going on I was sat on floor with present just brought him and we unwrapped it together with his free hand. Was ben 10 toy so latest obsession. Think the curiosity of present created enough distraction. So only tears were at beginning and nothing to do with bloods.

brandy77 · 09/02/2012 13:39

my son also has autism and has had to have numerous cannulas put in during hospital admissions, hes 7 now and the sensory problems associated with needles hasnt got any better. He only has his bloods or cannula done on a ward and an experienced paed always does it with a super fine needle. The cream is good but ive always found with my son its the sheer fright of not understanding what is happening that scares him (even though hes had it done loads and loads)

Ive now taken the "hard line" attitude and just hold him tight and the nurses/doc get on with it and we just ignore the screaming. The play therapist has never had any luck distracting him but hopefully your daughter will cope ok. Good luck, ask for a fine needle if you have the courage to ask, it really does help as their veins are so tiny

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 09/02/2012 13:40

It might be OK..i worried loads before my DD had mine, but in the event she lay there and smiled!!

Original poster

chocjunkie · 09/02/2012 13:56

thank you all. we had it this morning and survived. I did it the hard line as well. we had a few tears but it was ok. DD got a big cake from her favorite hospital cafeteria afterwards

OP posts:

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 09/02/2012 13:59

glad it was OK

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