Re: How do your kids do with medical exams?

[Guest guest]

It really depends on what is being done. My daughter (9.5) hates needles, but

had Flu Mist last year without problem. We used to have to hold her down for

shots and/or throat cultures, but she has gotten much better at the throat

cultures. On the other hand, when her contamination issues were quite strong

last spring, she refused to let the female pediatrician examine her below the

waist because it meant the doctor would touch her bottom. We rescheduled that

part of the exam for this fall when she was on a higher dose of Zoloft. I also

gave her a small dose of Ativan that morning because she was still expressing a

fair amount of anxiety. She did great. I don't want her to think that

medication is the only way to deal with her anxiety, but, on the other hand,

sometimes you just have to get something done.

>

> Subject: How do your kids do with medical exams?

> To:

> Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 12:29 PM

> Mat had been sick with a virus and

> then caught another within a week. I had him examined by the

> pediatrician and he was like a cat on a hot wire when they

> tried to do the throat culture (dredged up the vomiting

> fear).  He jumped off the table 3 times.  He's

> always been fearful and to his credit he is getting better

> at it.  They offered flu mist and Matt utterly

> refused.  We had a physical exam scheduled for the

> following week and he promised to take it then. 

>

> It turns out that by our next appointment, the doc had no

> more flu mist and he had to have an injection instead. 

> That brought on tears and attempts to control the situation

> again.  Eventually, he calmed and took the shot and

> announced that he would no longer require numbing cream in

> order to take shots - yeah!

>

> He's in the 97th percentile for height for his age which

> means he could be 6ft 2in by the time he's done

> growing!  He's an inch short of 5ft at age 10

> now.  I can't imagine someone his size becoming

> distraught in the doctor's office as time goes on and yet I

> can envision it given his emotionality.  Preparation

> helps a little, but when it comes to the unknown, it's not

> very helpful.

>

> He's back to his normal self and is not having any issues

> outside that.  Though, Halloween horror stories that

> he's heard at the lunch table have caused some

> anxiety.   

>

> Bonnie       

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Bonnie, we have the same issues with medical visits.

I asked a psychaiatrists at the conference I went to (on asperger not OCD) about

this and she said she would give something like klonopin for a one time use.

is just fit to be tied at the doctors. For major

tests we go to Children's hospital in Phil and they provide

a social worker (for tests like MRIs) and even have play therapy

for MRIs and other testing/surgeries.

For an heart check I told the office and they had a nurse

talk to her completely thru the EKG, echo etc.

For blood tests it is a mess. She was held in place by 4 techs

two years ago. It was tramatizing.

I let pass on a test/part of examine if he is fearful as long as she

doesn't run out of the room. She passes on some of the eye

exam the part where they test the eye pressure.

The flu mist is sometimes (always?) kept cold. freaked

out over the mist 2 years ago. She said it really hurt.

Our peditrician's has to be reminded each time we visit

that we need time and patience with her. Sometimes

we don't get it.

I hope Matt feels better!

Pam

>

> Mat had been sick with a virus and then caught another within a week. I had

him examined by the pediatrician and he was like a cat on a hot wire when they

tried to do the throat culture (dredged up the vomiting fear). He jumped off

the table 3 times. He's always been fearful and to his credit he is getting

better at it. They offered flu mist and Matt utterly refused. We had a

physical exam scheduled for the following week and he promised to take it then.

>

> It turns out that by our next appointment, the doc had no more flu mist and he

had to have an injection instead. That brought on tears and attempts to control

the situation again. Eventually, he calmed and took the shot and announced that

he would no longer require numbing cream in order to take shots - yeah!

>

> He's in the 97th percentile for height for his age which means he could be 6ft

2in by the time he's done growing! He's an inch short of 5ft at age 10 now. I

can't imagine someone his size becoming distraught in the doctor's office as

time goes on and yet I can envision it given his emotionality. Preparation

helps a little, but when it comes to the unknown, it's not very helpful.

>

> He's back to his normal self and is not having any issues outside that.

Though, Halloween horror stories that he's heard at the lunch table have caused

some anxiety.

>

> Bonnie

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Bonnie. Josh used to just do horrible with the doctor's office. He hated

throat cultures and wouldn't open his mouth. He was absolutely terrified of

needles when he was young too. It took forever to get a blood test. He would

completely meltdown and even start hitting, with this terrified look in his eyes

as if he was fighting for his very life. I used to wonder if he would always be

that way. But, eventually he outgrew it. He reached an age where he had some

more maturity and I noticed he would still look fearful, but would fight it

within himself, trying to not let people see he was afraid. Eventually, as he

aged even more, he just got completely over it.

At age 10, Josh was still struggling some. He didn't melt down at that age, but

also wasn't always cooperative. I think he was around 12 when things started

really improving. He was still fearful, but would cooperate with what was

needed. A couple years past that and he would just shrug things off. So don't

lose hope.

It's hard when you have a sensitive, anxious child. So many things can set them

off. I used to exhaust myself trying to control his environment, so things

would stay even keel. I still find myself feeling that way, and Josh is 17.

His grandparents like to talk about who they've outlived. lol So they are

constantly talking about this person dying, or that person dying. Well, with

Josh's fears, right now, about my health and his concerns over me dying, I just

want them to stop! So, I find myself trying to change the subject, if Josh is

around. People who haven't lived with an anxious, sensitive child, just don't

understand what goes on inside their heads. I realize death is part of life and

he needs to deal with that, but I just don't think he needs to hear about it for

hours on end. Talk about ERP! lol That's more like flooding. Sheesh!

BJ

>

> Mat had been sick with a virus and then caught another within a week. I had

him examined by the pediatrician and he was like a cat on a hot wire when they

tried to do the throat culture (dredged up the vomiting fear). He jumped off

the table 3 times. He's always been fearful and to his credit he is getting

better at it. They offered flu mist and Matt utterly refused. We had a

physical exam scheduled for the following week and he promised to take it then.

>

> It turns out that by our next appointment, the doc had no more flu mist and he

had to have an injection instead. That brought on tears and attempts to control

the situation again. Eventually, he calmed and took the shot and announced that

he would no longer require numbing cream in order to take shots - yeah!

>

> He's in the 97th percentile for height for his age which means he could be 6ft

2in by the time he's done growing! He's an inch short of 5ft at age 10 now. I

can't imagine someone his size becoming distraught in the doctor's office as

time goes on and yet I can envision it given his emotionality. Preparation

helps a little, but when it comes to the unknown, it's not very helpful.

>

> He's back to his normal self and is not having any issues outside that.

Though, Halloween horror stories that he's heard at the lunch table have caused

some anxiety.

>

> Bonnie

>

[Guest guest]

* *I almost hate to admit this, but we have a standing order for Valium for

my son for all doctor and dentist appointments. He would not be able to

participate otherwise.

>

>

> Mat had been sick with a virus and then caught another within a week. I had

> him examined by the pediatrician and he was like a cat on a hot wire when

> they tried to do the throat culture (dredged up the vomiting fear). He

> jumped off the table 3 times. He's always been fearful and to his credit he

> is getting better at it. They offered flu mist and Matt utterly refused. We

> had a physical exam scheduled for the following week and he promised to take

> it then.

>

> It turns out that by our next appointment, the doc had no more flu mist and

> he had to have an injection instead. That brought on tears and attempts to

> control the situation again. Eventually, he calmed and took the shot and

> announced that he would no longer require numbing cream in order to take

> shots - yeah!

>

> He's in the 97th percentile for height for his age which means he could be

> 6ft 2in by the time he's done growing! He's an inch short of 5ft at age 10

> now. I can't imagine someone his size becoming distraught in the doctor's

> office as time goes on and yet I can envision it given his emotionality.

> Preparation helps a little, but when it comes to the unknown, it's not very

> helpful.

>

> He's back to his normal self and is not having any issues outside that.

> Though, Halloween horror stories that he's heard at the lunch table have

> caused some anxiety.

>

> Bonnie

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Can I recommend EMLA cream for labwork? It's extremely helpful. ALso, I go to

LabCorp in Fanwood and they do all the kids from Children's Specialized Hospital

and are very good. Pediatric Opthalmology Assoc has practices in Westfield,

Cedar Knolls, and Flemington and Dr. Bernstein is gentle and kind and very

informative. They even puts the eye drops on the lashes when the kids are too

afraid (Matt).

Also, we use Watchung Pediatric group (in Fanwood and Warren), they are

considerate. I've had the best experience with Dr. Knowles.

Bonnie

> >

> > Mat had been sick with a virus and then caught another within a week. I had

him examined by the pediatrician and he was like a cat on a hot wire when they

tried to do the throat culture (dredged up the vomiting fear). He jumped off

the table 3 times. He's always been fearful and to his credit he is getting

better at it. They offered flu mist and Matt utterly refused. We had a

physical exam scheduled for the following week and he promised to take it then.

> >

> > It turns out that by our next appointment, the doc had no more flu mist and

he had to have an injection instead. That brought on tears and attempts to

control the situation again. Eventually, he calmed and took the shot and

announced that he would no longer require numbing cream in order to take shots -

yeah!

> >

> > He's in the 97th percentile for height for his age which means he could be

6ft 2in by the time he's done growing! He's an inch short of 5ft at age 10 now.

I can't imagine someone his size becoming distraught in the doctor's office as

time goes on and yet I can envision it given his emotionality. Preparation

helps a little, but when it comes to the unknown, it's not very helpful.

> >

> > He's back to his normal self and is not having any issues outside that.

Though, Halloween horror stories that he's heard at the lunch table have caused

some anxiety.

> >

> > Bonnie

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I know what you mean by controlling the environment. When the stimulus in the

environment is what triggers severe anxiety, I think it's appropriate to try to

control the amount of exposure. Unfortunately, when it comes to health and

safety, you don't have much choice. I hope that Matt will be like Josh and grow

out of it some. We are lucky that physically, he's healthy.

Bonnie

PS I think any kid would become anxious if they heard about death too often let

alone one with an anxiety disorder.

> >

> > Mat had been sick with a virus and then caught another within a week. I had

him examined by the pediatrician and he was like a cat on a hot wire when they

tried to do the throat culture (dredged up the vomiting fear). He jumped off

the table 3 times. He's always been fearful and to his credit he is getting

better at it. They offered flu mist and Matt utterly refused. We had a

physical exam scheduled for the following week and he promised to take it then.

> >

> > It turns out that by our next appointment, the doc had no more flu mist and

he had to have an injection instead. That brought on tears and attempts to

control the situation again. Eventually, he calmed and took the shot and

announced that he would no longer require numbing cream in order to take shots -

yeah!

> >

> > He's in the 97th percentile for height for his age which means he could be

6ft 2in by the time he's done growing! He's an inch short of 5ft at age 10 now.

I can't imagine someone his size becoming distraught in the doctor's office as

time goes on and yet I can envision it given his emotionality. Preparation

helps a little, but when it comes to the unknown, it's not very helpful.

> >

> > He's back to his normal self and is not having any issues outside that.

Though, Halloween horror stories that he's heard at the lunch table have caused

some anxiety.

> >

> > Bonnie

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Don't remind me, braces are next!

Bonnie

>

> >

> >

> > Mat had been sick with a virus and then caught another within a week. I had

> > him examined by the pediatrician and he was like a cat on a hot wire when

> > they tried to do the throat culture (dredged up the vomiting fear). He

> > jumped off the table 3 times. He's always been fearful and to his credit he

> > is getting better at it. They offered flu mist and Matt utterly refused. We

> > had a physical exam scheduled for the following week and he promised to take

> > it then.

> >

> > It turns out that by our next appointment, the doc had no more flu mist and

> > he had to have an injection instead. That brought on tears and attempts to

> > control the situation again. Eventually, he calmed and took the shot and

> > announced that he would no longer require numbing cream in order to take

> > shots - yeah!

> >

> > He's in the 97th percentile for height for his age which means he could be

> > 6ft 2in by the time he's done growing! He's an inch short of 5ft at age 10

> > now. I can't imagine someone his size becoming distraught in the doctor's

> > office as time goes on and yet I can envision it given his emotionality.

> > Preparation helps a little, but when it comes to the unknown, it's not very

> > helpful.

> >

> > He's back to his normal self and is not having any issues outside that.

> > Though, Halloween horror stories that he's heard at the lunch table have

> > caused some anxiety.

> >

> > Bonnie

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We put braces off for years, Bonnie, because of Josh's inability to deal with

things that were uncomfortable. Amazingly, he went through them with no

complaints.

I think it might have helped that his best friend, who lives next door, had them

at the same time.

Was I relieved! Hope it turns out better than you expect (like us), for you

too.

BJ

> >

> > >

> > >

> > > Mat had been sick with a virus and then caught another within a week. I

had

> > > him examined by the pediatrician and he was like a cat on a hot wire when

> > > they tried to do the throat culture (dredged up the vomiting fear). He

> > > jumped off the table 3 times. He's always been fearful and to his credit

he

> > > is getting better at it. They offered flu mist and Matt utterly refused.

We

> > > had a physical exam scheduled for the following week and he promised to

take

> > > it then.

> > >

> > > It turns out that by our next appointment, the doc had no more flu mist

and

> > > he had to have an injection instead. That brought on tears and attempts to

> > > control the situation again. Eventually, he calmed and took the shot and

> > > announced that he would no longer require numbing cream in order to take

> > > shots - yeah!

> > >

> > > He's in the 97th percentile for height for his age which means he could be

> > > 6ft 2in by the time he's done growing! He's an inch short of 5ft at age 10

> > > now. I can't imagine someone his size becoming distraught in the doctor's

> > > office as time goes on and yet I can envision it given his emotionality.

> > > Preparation helps a little, but when it comes to the unknown, it's not

very

> > > helpful.

> > >

> > > He's back to his normal self and is not having any issues outside that.

> > > Though, Halloween horror stories that he's heard at the lunch table have

> > > caused some anxiety.

> > >

> > > Bonnie

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Bonnie thanks so much!!! I will have to try Labcorp in Fanwood.

and the other professionals you mentioned.

Pam

> > >

> > > Mat had been sick with a virus and then caught another within a week. I

had him examined by the pediatrician and he was like a cat on a hot wire when

they tried to do the throat culture (dredged up the vomiting fear). He jumped

off the table 3 times. He's always been fearful and to his credit he is getting

better at it. They offered flu mist and Matt utterly refused. We had a

physical exam scheduled for the following week and he promised to take it then.

> > >

> > > It turns out that by our next appointment, the doc had no more flu mist

and he had to have an injection instead. That brought on tears and attempts to

control the situation again. Eventually, he calmed and took the shot and

announced that he would no longer require numbing cream in order to take shots -

yeah!

> > >

> > > He's in the 97th percentile for height for his age which means he could be

6ft 2in by the time he's done growing! He's an inch short of 5ft at age 10 now.

I can't imagine someone his size becoming distraught in the doctor's office as

time goes on and yet I can envision it given his emotionality. Preparation

helps a little, but when it comes to the unknown, it's not very helpful.

> > >

> > > He's back to his normal self and is not having any issues outside that.

Though, Halloween horror stories that he's heard at the lunch table have caused

some anxiety.

> > >

> > > Bonnie

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Why valium rather than xanax or klonopin? is it faster or shorter

acting.

Pam

>

> >

> >

> > Mat had been sick with a virus and then caught another within a week. I had

> > him examined by the pediatrician and he was like a cat on a hot wire when

> > they tried to do the throat culture (dredged up the vomiting fear). He

> > jumped off the table 3 times. He's always been fearful and to his credit he

> > is getting better at it. They offered flu mist and Matt utterly refused. We

> > had a physical exam scheduled for the following week and he promised to take

> > it then.

> >

> > It turns out that by our next appointment, the doc had no more flu mist and

> > he had to have an injection instead. That brought on tears and attempts to

> > control the situation again. Eventually, he calmed and took the shot and

> > announced that he would no longer require numbing cream in order to take

> > shots - yeah!

> >

> > He's in the 97th percentile for height for his age which means he could be

> > 6ft 2in by the time he's done growing! He's an inch short of 5ft at age 10

> > now. I can't imagine someone his size becoming distraught in the doctor's

> > office as time goes on and yet I can envision it given his emotionality.

> > Preparation helps a little, but when it comes to the unknown, it's not very

> > helpful.

> >

> > He's back to his normal self and is not having any issues outside that.

> > Though, Halloween horror stories that he's heard at the lunch table have

> > caused some anxiety.

> >

> > Bonnie

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>