Is there an easier way of taking blood??

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, my DD is nearly 8 and has severe learning dificulties. She had a blood test when she was 4, as part of her investigations but it was so distressing for her! Then they tested it for something else, so it ended up being a waste of time anyway.
They have offered it to her again, but I know how much pain she was in last time. It was awful!
Is there any way they can do it under anasthetic this time? Or any other way of making it easier? They had to rute around quite a bit last time.
The reasons I'm thinking of letting her have it done are that it would be helpful if they could get a diognosis or shed some light on what's causing her difficulties, but also, we are thinking of IVF and I'd like to donate my eggs in order to help fund it. For that reason, I might be able to say it's not genetic.
If anyone can offer any advice I'd be really greatful.

Why was she in pain?

How did they manage it?

With Ds, (and dd for that matter) it's just stupid to introduce the whole build up of anxiety that goes with the magic cream ritual so I always refuse it, but I know some children find it helpful,

It is also absolutely essential that a) I have explained what will happen JUST BEFORE and b)that no well-meaning play-nurse tries to distract them from watching.

Hi, I think she just has a very low pain tollerance. She hates having her hair brushed and even says that if clothes have a tag in them, that they hurt rather than itch. She avoids touching certain materials for the same reason. I think it's due to sensory processing.

I do like Star, no fuss, no build up and go to the phlebotomy department at the hospital as they will do it quickly and get it first time. Last time ds had a blood test it was over before he remembered to protest they were so quick.

Thank you, she has been sent an appointment for the childrens ward. This is what happened last time and a Dr did it. It took about 5 mins! If felt like an hour. Can I request the phlebotomy department?

Ds2 is majorly needle phobic after some horrendous experiences with a registrar when he was in hospital for pneumonia age 4.

In the end I refused to let them near him again and they sent up the head phlebotomist. He brought some sort of instant acting cream, rather than the ridiculous Emla stuff that takes ages to work and you have to time the appointment perfectly etc. He put the cream on, was spot on with the needle and it was over in an instant. No fuss.

He had to have bloods as an outpatient last year, whole Emla debacle again and again it was really painful and took ages.

We have since found out that he has hypermobility syndrome aka Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which essentially means that local anaesthetics don't work for as well for him as they do for other people.

I would call the phlebotomy department and discuss with them what the best option is and whether they can offer a different fast acting local anaesthetic.

Thank you moosemamma. I will call them.

Ds has had bloods taken by the phlebotomy department at our hospital. We went in took a ticket and were called immediately. I had explained before waht would happen. He did sit still yelped "OW" when the needle went in, but was otherwise ok apart from when the nurse asked him afterwards if it had hurt. his reply "Of COURSE it did"

The specialist genetic team at our hospital actually ended up doing a saliva sample and were able to extract DNA from this.

I think they keep quiet about this option as blood is much better.

The problem with blood in DS case was partly the distress but also his veins proved extremely difficult to get blood from for some reason.

agree with everyone else, get it done by a phlebotomist, even if you have to go to the hospital for it, it will be worth it, as they are so experienced. and agree with star, when DS had bloods done at 4 the phlebotomist just went in and did it quick as a flash, no cream beforehand so no build up of stress.

oh and make sure she has had a drink before she goes, as being hydrated makes it slightly easier to find the vein.

When ds had his blood test at the children's dept at the hospital there were three nurses present. I sat with ds between my legs on a bed one nurse held a book over ds's arm so he couldn't see the needle, another held his arm still and one took the blood. They didn't use the cream, there was no build up, everyone just got on with. Obviously he hated it but actually he was more upset by the plaster they put on afterwards.

Not much help here but my LO has them done every 6 weeks and it doesn't get easier!! She hates them and so do I! We have tried a social story, the magic cream, preparing her before hand, not telling her, iPad, books but nothing seems to work! The only little thing that helped a little was letting her choose some new peppa pig plasters in the shop before going and she gets these instead of the hospital plasters ones.

Also an 8 year old has far better veins than a fidgety 4 year old. Local anaesthetic cream like Emla, an expert such as the phlebotomist (though not sure they do kids as a rule???) Major bribery, make sure she doesnt look (maybe sit behind a curtain with her arm through (seriously!), distraction at the time - favourite book/ipad etc. Good luck.