Re: Freaking out over blood draw

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sara and Margaret! I'd thought about staying the night but on the scale of *most to least traumatic*, spending the night away from home for is right up there in the * most traumatic* category.

Sara, you make me laugh, I think it's the same for me - *I've* been traumatized by previous blood draws while is obviously over them! Although he does still screams hysterically at the sight of a woman in a blue dress uniform (he thinks they are all nurses). I've settled down a bit now, thanks very much for the reassurance. I forgot it is a private hospital so things will probably be easier all around. We'll bring a DVD, thanks for the info, that will help enormously. We are going to have the cream as well.

I talked to the tutor who will be going with me and *she* can handle it so I'll just let her (while I melt into a puddle in the corner.) She's apparently done it quite a bit with another child and responds well to her.

We've had one great experience and one horrible one too. But then has had to have multiple IV's, Gastronasal tubes and xrays during hospitalisations ALL of which were traumatic for both of us (and his dad too).

Fingers crossed for a pleasant experience so I don't have to go into therapy (or turn to the bottle, lol).

Thanks, ladies!

Darla

In a message dated 16/10/2006 14:25:28 GMT Standard Time, Moroza-@... writes:

Hi Darla,

Tom had a massive blood draw through the NHS when he was a similar age to and I’m sorry to say it was absolutely horrific. We couldn’t draw the full amount of blood as he was too upset and it just seemed to go on forever and ever. We have a much smaller blood draw at the Breakspear and it was amazing. The nurses are nicer, they use EMLA cream and there is a room with a DVD player and you can take ’s favourite videos (although we weren’t in it). Although neither of these match what you’re going to go through, hopefully it’ll give you an idea – somewhere between absolutely fine and dandy and horrific!!! But I don’t think it will be the full-blown horrific experience we went through (hope that helps and good luck Darla). Oh and another thing, when we went through the horrific experience, it took me months and months to get over it – but I can put my hand on my heart and say Tom was over it within 15 minutes.

SARA xxx

[Guest guest]

Go up the day before and spend the night in a hotel, then have a

very early blood draw (followed by breakfast)?

Margaret

>

> Help, please.

>

> We've ordered the full DAN panel for and one additional

test

> through Muscroft. This is 8 vials of blood from what I can

tell from the

> test kits.

>

> I am not willing to go to the GP for a referral letter for NHS or

BUPA blood

> draws so all I can tell is that our only option is the

Breakspear. Has

> anyone had blood drawn from anywhere else?

>

> It is a long trip for us, we'd have to go early in the morning

because of

> the fasting requirements and I'll have to have a tutor go with me

because I

> can't do it myself.

>

> Also, although doesn't request food or drink, he does wake

during the

> night for feeds. He usually has at least one feed a night,

sometimes two. I

> don't think he will sleep if he doesn't have those feeds so he'll

be sleep

> deprived, hungry and angry by the time we get to the hospital to

get 8 vials of

> blood which just drips out of his veins. Not to mention the fact

that he'll

> have been off his supplements for two days. I'm absolutely

dreading it and

> I'm thinking what the heck are we doing? I'm really doubting

that I've made

> the right decision.

>

> Any thoughts appreciated...

> Darla ~freaking out in Putney

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Darla,

Tom had a massive blood draw through the

NHS when he was a similar age to and I’m sorry to say it was absolutely

horrific. We couldn’t draw the full amount of blood as he was too upset and it

just seemed to go on forever and ever. We have a much smaller blood draw at the

Breakspear and it was amazing. The nurses are nicer, they use EMLA cream and

there is a room with a DVD player and you can take ’s favourite videos (although

we weren’t in it). Although neither of these match what you’re going to go

through, hopefully it’ll give you an idea – somewhere between absolutely fine

and dandy and horrific!!! But I don’t think it will be the full-blown horrific experience

we went through (hope that helps and good luck Darla). Oh and another thing,

when we went through the horrific experience, it took me months and months to

get over it – but I can put my hand on my heart and say Tom was over it within

15 minutes.

SARA xxx

Freaking out over blood draw

Help,

please.

We've

ordered the full DAN panel for and one additional test through Jean

Muscroft. This is 8 vials of blood from what I can tell from the test

kits.

I am

not willing to go to the GP for a referral letter for NHS or BUPA blood

draws so all I can tell is that our only option is the Breakspear.

Has anyone had blood drawn from anywhere else?

It is a

long trip for us, we'd have to go early in the morning because of the fasting

requirements and I'll have to have a tutor go with me because I can't do it

myself.

Also,

although doesn't request food or drink, he does wake during the night for

feeds. He usually has at least one feed a night, sometimes two. I

don't think he will sleep if he doesn't have those feeds so he'll be sleep

deprived, hungry and angry by the time we get to the hospital to get 8 vials of

blood which just drips out of his veins. Not to mention the

fact that he'll have been off his supplements for two days. I'm

absolutely dreading it and I'm thinking what the heck are we doing? I'm

really doubting that I've made the right decision.

Any

thoughts appreciated...

Darla

~freaking out in Putney

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[Guest guest]

Jane, if you are going tomorrow, why aren't you writing *I'm freaking out letters* to the group?? ;-)

All the best tomorrow, hope it goes well and that your husband is spared the bloodletting!

Darla

In a message dated 16/10/2006 20:44:45 GMT Standard Time, jane_hogan@... writes:

We are there tomorrow. Will be interested to see the 'coccon' - might save dh giving blood ( usually manages to draw a bit from his shoulder as he tries to get away). Nothing but admiration for the staff at the Breakspear when it comes to blood drawing. They really do their best to help the kids get through it as quickly as possible.

Jane

[Guest guest]

Hang in there, Darla.

Easier said than done I know, and you will have a horrible night and morning but you'll survive and be glad you did it.

I wish I had got on to all this when my son was age. You are doing great!

[Guest guest]

Darla,

I think Rhona said that dr H has the ‘cocoon’

in now which wraps the kids up and stops them wriggling and just their arm

pokes out, so they can take the blood without them flailing around Callum felt really safe in it (we first used it in the US) – whether

will see it as a safe place or a straight jacket – I’m not sure;-). Anyway best of luck – when we had blood done

at Breakspear last year it was quick and painless – well for me anyway!

Elaine

Re:

Freaking out over blood draw

Thanks Sara and Margaret! I'd

thought about staying the night but on the scale of *most to least

traumatic*, spending the night away from home for is right up there in the

* most traumatic* category.

Sara, you make me laugh, I think it's the

same for me - *I've* been traumatized by previous blood draws while

is obviously over them! Although he does still screams

hysterically at the sight of a woman in a blue dress uniform (he thinks they

are all nurses). I've settled down a bit now, thanks very much for the

reassurance. I forgot it is a private hospital so things will probably be

easier all around. We'll bring a DVD, thanks for the info, that will help

enormously. We are going to have the cream as well.

I talked to the tutor who will be going

with me and *she* can handle it so I'll just let her (while I melt into a

puddle in the corner.) She's apparently done it quite a bit with another

child and responds well to her.

We've had one great experience and one

horrible one too. But then has had to have multiple IV's,

Gastronasal tubes and xrays during hospitalisations ALL of which were traumatic

for both of us (and his dad too).

Fingers crossed for a pleasant experience

so I don't have to go into therapy (or turn to the bottle, lol).

Thanks, ladies!

Darla

In a message dated 16/10/2006 14:25:28

GMT Standard Time, Moroza-@... writes:

Hi Darla,

Tom had a massive blood draw through the NHS when he was a similar

age to and I’m sorry to say it was absolutely horrific. We couldn’t draw

the full amount of blood as he was too upset and it just seemed to go on

forever and ever. We have a much smaller blood draw at the Breakspear and it

was amazing. The nurses are nicer, they use EMLA cream and there is a room with

a DVD player and you can take ’s favourite videos (although we weren’t in

it). Although neither of these match what you’re going to go through, hopefully

it’ll give you an idea – somewhere between absolutely fine and dandy and

horrific!!! But I don’t think it will be the full-blown horrific experience we

went through (hope that helps and good luck Darla). Oh and another thing, when

we went through the horrific experience, it took me months and months to get

over it – but I can put my hand on my heart and say Tom was over it within 15

minutes.

SARA xxx

e-mail provided by Moose

Internet Services

http://www.moose.co.uk/

[Guest guest]

Darla

If you are only doing blood draws it may be worth getting the emla

cream and plaster in advance. We live about 1 hours drive from

Breakespeare so we put the cream on before we left and they saw

quickly once we got in, even tho there were kiddies waiting for

vaccines. I did sit in the back of car with to ensure he didn't

rip off the plaster. We also had a supply of treats to keep him

occupied.

They were very good with him. The first time we went we had the

appointment first and then the bloods and it was too much waiting

around for him so he wiggled too much. So the bloods were done the

following week and it was fine.

Regards

[Guest guest]

We are there tomorrow. Will be interested to see the 'coccon' - might save dh giving blood ( usually manages to draw a bit from his shoulder as he tries to get away). Nothing but admiration for the staff at the Breakspear when it comes to blood drawing. They really do their best to help the kids get through it as quickly as possible.

Jane

RE: Freaking out over blood draw

Darla,

I think Rhona said that dr H has the ‘cocoon’ in now which wraps the kids up and stops them wriggling and just their arm pokes out, so they can take the blood without them flailing around Callum felt really safe in it (we first used it in the US) – whether will see it as a safe place or a straight jacket – I’m not sure;-). Anyway best of luck – when we had blood done at Breakspear last year it was quick and painless – well for me anyway!

Elaine

-----Original Message-----From: Autism Treatment [mailto:Autism Treatment ] On Behalf Of rexel45aolSent: 16 October 2006 16:40Autism Treatment Subject: Re: Freaking out over blood draw

Thanks Sara and Margaret! I'd thought about staying the night but on the scale of *most to least traumatic*, spending the night away from home for is right up there in the * most traumatic* category.

Sara, you make me laugh, I think it's the same for me - *I've* been traumatized by previous blood draws while is obviously over them! Although he does still screams hysterically at the sight of a woman in a blue dress uniform (he thinks they are all nurses). I've settled down a bit now, thanks very much for the reassurance. I forgot it is a private hospital so things will probably be easier all around. We'll bring a DVD, thanks for the info, that will help enormously. We are going to have the cream as well.

I talked to the tutor who will be going with me and *she* can handle it so I'll just let her (while I melt into a puddle in the corner.) She's apparently done it quite a bit with another child and responds well to her.

We've had one great experience and one horrible one too. But then has had to have multiple IV's, Gastronasal tubes and xrays during hospitalisations ALL of which were traumatic for both of us (and his dad too).

Fingers crossed for a pleasant experience so I don't have to go into therapy (or turn to the bottle, lol).

Thanks, ladies!

Darla

In a message dated 16/10/2006 14:25:28 GMT Standard Time, Moroza-Tiscali (DOT) co.uk writes:

Hi Darla,

Tom had a massive blood draw through the NHS when he was a similar age to and I’m sorry to say it was absolutely horrific. We couldn’t draw the full amount of blood as he was too upset and it just seemed to go on forever and ever. We have a much smaller blood draw at the Breakspear and it was amazing. The nurses are nicer, they use EMLA cream and there is a room with a DVD player and you can take ’s favourite videos (although we weren’t in it). Although neither of these match what you’re going to go through, hopefully it’ll give you an idea – somewhere between absolutely fine and dandy and horrific!!! But I don’t think it will be the full-blown horrific experience we went through (hope that helps and good luck Darla). Oh and another thing, when we went through the horrific experience, it took me months and months to get over it – but I can put my hand on my heart and say Tom was over it within 15 minutes.

SARA xxx

e-mail provided by Moose Internet Serviceshttp://www.moose.co.uk/

[Guest guest]

Hi Darla,

Hang in there.Hope it all goes well for you and .

On a seperate note i'm thrilled and happy for you that

said " Mummy " today several times.Its awesome........

Cheers

Vidushi

>

> Help, please.

>

> We've ordered the full DAN panel for and one additional

test

> through Muscroft. This is 8 vials of blood from what I can

tell from the

> test kits.

>

> I am not willing to go to the GP for a referral letter for NHS or

BUPA blood

> draws so all I can tell is that our only option is the

Breakspear. Has

> anyone had blood drawn from anywhere else?

>

> It is a long trip for us, we'd have to go early in the morning

because of

> the fasting requirements and I'll have to have a tutor go with me

because I

> can't do it myself.

>

> Also, although doesn't request food or drink, he does wake

during the

> night for feeds. He usually has at least one feed a night,

sometimes two. I

> don't think he will sleep if he doesn't have those feeds so he'll

be sleep

> deprived, hungry and angry by the time we get to the hospital to

get 8 vials of

> blood which just drips out of his veins. Not to mention the fact

that he'll

> have been off his supplements for two days. I'm absolutely

dreading it and

> I'm thinking what the heck are we doing? I'm really doubting

that I've made

> the right decision.

>

> Any thoughts appreciated...

> Darla ~freaking out in Putney

>

[Guest guest]

Unfortunately we had the opposite experience at the Breakspear. Our

child went ballistic at having blood taken from his hand/arm and

then they couldnt find a vein. I insisted they take the blood from

his foot which they did not want to do. Finally, after a few

unsuccessful tries at the arm/hand and after bloodcurdling screams

from my son, ,they took the blood from his foot. Then, they came

back 20 minutes later to tell me that the blood was taken out too

slowly and they couldnt use it. so they had to take 4 more tubes of

blood. It was a total nightmare.

If you know that your child has problems with getting blood out of

arms/hands, perhaps suggest the feet. The foot isnt so sensitive.

Our boy was also covered in excema at the time and it must have been

very painful for him. It was a case of the practitioners not

listening to the parents and i am still months later, very angry

over this, considering the cost, time and effort we as a family put

into it, and considering that the Breakspear deal with children

every day, they should have known better and listened to

this " expert " parent.

>

> Darla

>

> If you are only doing blood draws it may be worth getting the emla

> cream and plaster in advance. We live about 1 hours drive from

> Breakespeare so we put the cream on before we left and they saw

> quickly once we got in, even tho there were kiddies waiting for

> vaccines. I did sit in the back of car with to ensure he

didn't

> rip off the plaster. We also had a supply of treats to keep him

> occupied.

>

> They were very good with him. The first time we went we had the

> appointment first and then the bloods and it was too much waiting

> around for him so he wiggled too much. So the bloods were done the

> following week and it was fine.

>

> Regards

>

>

[Guest guest]

> ...

> Also, although doesn't request food or drink, he does wake

during the

> night for feeds. He usually has at least one feed a night,

sometimes two. I

> don't think he will sleep if he doesn't have those feeds

I took my 3YO to a local hospital for bloodwork & MRI last month. I

was told that it is ok to give a light feed up til about 3 am (?) or

so and after that he has to starve. Might be worth checking with

the Doc to see how late you can get away with feeding him.

By the way, I took him on a day trip to Edinburgh (fly over from

Ireland early in am, back late in pm) and had some blood taken by

Lorene Amet at ATT. Took about an hour of screaming to get get 2-3

vials out of him. Most of the blood didn't survive the shipping to

the lab over a weekend, so it was a bit of a waste. Not looking

forward to doing that again, but if it's the only way....it'll be

worth it in the end hopefully.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 17/10/2006 17:53:27 GMT Standard Time, jane_hogan@... writes:

Well, we survived again. I asked about the cooon. However, it is only used for younger children.

Darn! I was hoping they would put me in it while they took 's blood. ;-)

Andy, one of their nurses and I just held on tight and the whole thing was over in less than five mins. did his usual screaming throughout the whole thing but then refused to leave the room (can't be that scary) because he was watching The Lion King on dvd!

Lol! Yes, they are quite dramatically recovered from their *trauma* sometimes, aren't they. Glad to hear it went ok (by that I mean you got the blood!)

Darla

[Guest guest]

Well, we survived again. I asked about the cooon. However, it is only used for younger children. Andy, one of their nurses and I just held on tight and the whole thing was over in less than five mins. did his usual screaming throughout the whole thing but then refused to leave the room (can't be that scary) because he was watching The Lion King on dvd!

Re: Freaking out over blood draw

Jane, if you are going tomorrow, why aren't you writing *I'm freaking out letters* to the group?? ;-)

All the best tomorrow, hope it goes well and that your husband is spared the bloodletting!

Darla

In a message dated 16/10/2006 20:44:45 GMT Standard Time, jane_hoganbtinternet writes:

We are there tomorrow. Will be interested to see the 'coccon' - might save dh giving blood ( usually manages to draw a bit from his shoulder as he tries to get away). Nothing but admiration for the staff at the Breakspear when it comes to blood drawing. They really do their best to help the kids get through it as quickly as possible.

Jane