Guest guest Posted November 6, 2000 Report Share Posted November 6, 2000 I had to take my DS1 to the hospital today for a blood test (asthma, allergies, etc). The nurse put some 'magic' cream on this hand and arm to numb the area when taking blood. DS1 doesn't like 'pricks' (as he calls them), so I promised him that this 'magic' cream would make it so it wouldn't hurt him. I had to hold DS1 on my knee and a play worker (?) entertained him with bubbles and toys, and then the nurse put the needle in. DS1's whole body tensed and he struggled to pull away, I had to hold him as still as I could and reassure him. Being a blood test it obviously wasn't a quick 'prick'. I can be quite 'tough' about things like this, but even I cried when DS1 screamed and shouted 'help me' over and over again. He has reassured me that he still loves me, when I explained that he had to have it done. But I do feel guilty, I'm supposed to protect my son and not only did I not 'help' him, I actually held him down. Danu SAHM to Caleb (4) and Reuben (2) Manchester Central and South Trainee PNDL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 6, 2000 Report Share Posted November 6, 2000 Danu wrote: >But I do feel guilty, I'm supposed to protect >my son and not only did I not 'help' him, I actually held him down. Oh Danu, I really feel for you. The blood tests he had are for his greater benefit, and so you *were* helping and protecting him. Had you not held him down, his struggles would likely have made things worse. Please remember this and don't beat yourself up for it any longer. When Steffi had pneumonia a couple of years ago, I ended up comforting a mother whose child had suspected meningitis. She didn't want to see her child being stuck with a needle so opted out of going into the room with him. Instead she sat outside alone (until I went over to her) and cried and felt awful as she heard her child scream as tests were performed. Steffi has developed a needle phobia. Entirely our fault for letting her see her terminally ill Nana having injections - she now won't see that Nana had injections to stop her feeling pain whereas any injections she (Steffi) may have should stop her becoming ill. I have had lots of talks with my HV about this, saying there's no way I will take her into the Health Centre on a standard immunisation day only to sit around for hours waiting for the needle. I know that I will get more and more tense whilst we wait and she will pick up on this. She's far from stupid. My HV has agreed to do any vaccinations herself to help me to avoid this situation. (No more getting out of that then!!!) Best wishes, -- Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 6, 2000 Report Share Posted November 6, 2000 Danu, I felt as bad at 's first injections (at 2 months?). So bad that I cried even before they injected him and they thought it better for someone else to hold him instead. So I left him with a stranger (a receptionist) and cried outside the room. I suppose we have to be cruel to be kind. > He has reassured me that he still loves me, when I explained that he > had to have it done. And indeed he always will.................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2000 Report Share Posted November 7, 2000 Danu - how awful for you. Hope he feels better about it in the morning. danu.higgins@... wrote: > I had to take my DS1 to the hospital today for a blood test (asthma, > allergies, etc). -- See pictures of us all at: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=848605 Password: Wisley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2000 Report Share Posted November 7, 2000 .. > > He has reassured me that he still loves me, when I explained that he > had to have it done. But I do feel guilty, I'm supposed to protect > my son and not only did I not 'help' him, I actually held him down. > > Danu > SAHM to Caleb (4) and Reuben (2) > Manchester Central and South > Trainee PNDL How terribly distressing for you. My 4 year old screamed the surgery down when he had his MMR booster and it was very upsetting to hear him like that. Realistically, could you have done anything else? Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2000 Report Share Posted November 7, 2000 This is just typical! I have a needle phobia and I am 40 and an RGN (not practising). The " magic " cream has to be applied " at least " 1 hour before and held over the puncture site by an occlusive dressing. The cream will remain active for 5 hours so I always give it 2 hours to be on the safe side, althought 1 will do (so they say). When applied in this way it is truly magic. You cannot feel a thing. My life long phobia was caused by lying practioners and it really saddens me to think that the same is still happening. I don't know where you are but I am an expert user of this stuff. I simply cannot (life or death) give into a needle without it. I've been using it for 11 years for 3 pregnancies and until now for my thyroid problems. Please contact me offlist for the details on correct application etc. Fiona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2000 Report Share Posted November 7, 2000 Quick reply Blob of cream on required area. Dressing carefully applied Area kept straight - games required. Needle - feel nothing campbellsmith@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2000 Report Share Posted November 7, 2000 Danu, was there another nurse there holding his arm? I had exactly the same situation with DS3 recently. He had actually fallen asleep by the time they came to take the blood, but woke up and started to struggle and scream. The HPs assured me that it was because the nurse had to hold his arm so tightly to stop any sudden jerks while the dr. took the blood. They said that he definitely would not have been able to feel the needle. Still, it was perfectly horrible while it lasted, but was over relatively quickly. is nearly 2 1/2 so perhaps his perception of what mummy did is different and I don't think he would have understood if I had tried to explain the necessity of it. Alison I had to take my DS1 to the hospital today for a blood test (asthma, allergies, etc). The nurse put some 'magic' cream on this hand and arm to numb the area when taking blood. DS1 doesn't like 'pricks' (as he calls them), so I promised him that this 'magic' cream would make it so it wouldn't hurt him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2000 Report Share Posted November 7, 2000 How terribly distressing for you. My 4 year old screamed the surgery down when he had his MMR booster and it was very upsetting to hear him like that. Realistically, could you have done anything else? I agree - my DS2 also screamed the surgery down for his pre-school booster, but when he had his meningitis jab at school never even cried I have decided that it is just something that they go through Trisha SAHM to 3 boys in raining (yet again) Pocklington Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2000 Report Share Posted November 7, 2000 Danu, I have held many children for blood tests, as a nurse it still made me feel awful. It was even harder for me when it was mine. Sending you both lots of hugs! Mc SAHM 6, Olivia 3, 1, 15/3/00 Nearly Ex-Editor Wallingford and District Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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