Guest guest Posted October 31, 2003 Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 Hi, We appreciate the post and lurk and look often, but don't post much cause of time issues, etc. We have some concerns re: GHT shots (Humotrope) started Sept. 24th this year for our son Jay (4 1/2). It has been pretty tenuous. After a tough start he got to the place where he would ask for the shot and grimace and cry, but he did it knowing it was right or he know it would help him get stronger and grow. We have tried to keep it light, but every night near bedtime dred sets in having to go thru this for both parents. In the middle of this we relocated for work - so lots of changes. The questions we have: 1) He seems to now be regressing not wanting the shots and putting up a big fuss - is this pretty normal? 2) We have missed a couple nights - travel and just weariness, but maybe a total of 5 missed days in six weeks - is this a cause for concern / alarm, etc. 3) We first did it when he was sleeping but he would wake up - so we tried to make it fun even letting him poke Dad with another clean needle (they are 5/16), but he always wants it in the bottom and he always cries intensely before and after for 10-20 seconds and then he is OK - but recently not wanting it - (Dad has done it to himself and it is not painful - the poke - but alot more meat, too). Do you think he is experiencing pain or is it more psycological? We stopped the injectors cause it was straight down on a 90 degree angle and now administer without any devcice on a 45 degree angle - doing 42 cc) - any advice?? Appreciate all that everybody is going thru and a grateful for any advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2003 Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 Hi, I hope I can answer some of your questions. Yes it is normal to have some regression. Once the novelty wears off, then they start trying to find ways to avoid it. I would not worry about missing shots unless you start to miss shots because you are avoiding having to give them. It happens gradually and without you realizing it until you are missing more shots than you are giving. It happened to us. We started giving our son his shot while he was awake. then we did it while he was asleep but he would wake up. Finally, we asked our son when he wanted to get his shot. He chose to get his shot while he was sleeping and in the butt. He still woke up for a while, but that faded after about a month. He now sleeps right through it. Once in a while we get a stinger and he wakes but it is not often. All of my son's shots have been in the butt. I try to pick different areas on his butt. I hope this helps. Ken M > Hi, > > We appreciate the post and lurk and look often, but don't post much > cause of time issues, etc. We have some concerns re: GHT shots > (Humotrope) started Sept. 24th this year for our son Jay (4 1/2). > It has been pretty tenuous. After a tough start he got to the > place where he would ask for the shot and grimace and cry, but he > did it knowing it was right or he know it would help him get > stronger and grow. We have tried to keep it light, but every night > near bedtime dred sets in having to go thru this for both parents. > In the middle of this we relocated for work - so lots of changes. > > The questions we have: > > 1) He seems to now be regressing not wanting the shots and putting > up a big fuss - is this pretty normal? > 2) We have missed a couple nights - travel and just weariness, but > maybe a total of 5 missed days in six weeks - is this a cause for > concern / alarm, etc. > 3) We first did it when he was sleeping but he would wake up - so > we tried to make it fun even letting him poke Dad with another clean > needle (they are 5/16), but he always wants it in the bottom and he > always cries intensely before and after for 10-20 seconds and then > he is OK - but recently not wanting it - (Dad has done it to himself > and it is not painful - the poke - but alot more meat, too). Do > you think he is experiencing pain or is it more psycological? We > stopped the injectors cause it was straight down on a 90 degree > angle and now administer without any devcice on a 45 degree angle - > doing 42 cc) - any advice?? > > Appreciate all that everybody is going thru and a grateful for any > advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2003 Report Share Posted November 1, 2003 I remember that my son did not like the shots, then seemed ok about them but every now and then we would regress and it was more of a struggle for him. Five years down the road now, he doesn't complain any more. We give them to him when he is awake and most of the time they are fine but once in a while he will say they hurt. The biggest difference for us came when we switched to the short needles. We also give the shots in the bottom which is his only source of " fat " if you can call it that. It really will become part of your routine and he won't give it much thought at night. Pattie > Hi, > > We appreciate the post and lurk and look often, but don't post much > cause of time issues, etc. We have some concerns re: GHT shots > (Humotrope) started Sept. 24th this year for our son Jay (4 1/2). > It has been pretty tenuous. After a tough start he got to the > place where he would ask for the shot and grimace and cry, but he > did it knowing it was right or he know it would help him get > stronger and grow. We have tried to keep it light, but every night > near bedtime dred sets in having to go thru this for both parents. > In the middle of this we relocated for work - so lots of changes. > > The questions we have: > > 1) He seems to now be regressing not wanting the shots and putting > up a big fuss - is this pretty normal? > 2) We have missed a couple nights - travel and just weariness, but > maybe a total of 5 missed days in six weeks - is this a cause for > concern / alarm, etc. > 3) We first did it when he was sleeping but he would wake up - so > we tried to make it fun even letting him poke Dad with another clean > needle (they are 5/16), but he always wants it in the bottom and he > always cries intensely before and after for 10-20 seconds and then > he is OK - but recently not wanting it - (Dad has done it to himself > and it is not painful - the poke - but alot more meat, too). Do > you think he is experiencing pain or is it more psycological? We > stopped the injectors cause it was straight down on a 90 degree > angle and now administer without any devcice on a 45 degree angle - > doing 42 cc) - any advice?? > > Appreciate all that everybody is going thru and a grateful for any > advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2004 Report Share Posted February 10, 2004 Sometimes the burning is because of the alcohol - if you are using alcohol swabs make sure you wait at least 30 seconds for them to dry before injecting. Steph > We have been giving our son, Jay, shots (we call them pokes) for > almost 5 months. We tried when he was a sleep but he was a light > sleeper and woke terrified a couple of times. He is our only child > so I am sure we have coddled a bit too much, but anyway we give > 50cc every night and it is still torturous for him and I dread > bedtime for him knowing what his reaction will be. We try to make > it light and help him to know how to breathe. But he screams bloody > murder right after the shot and seems to suffer during - it probably > takes us 4 -6 seconds we push in a little slower vs. fast all at > once. I know it burns (we are doing Humatrope and I do it free > hand subcutaneously on about a 45 -60 degree angle in his buttocks) - > the only place he wants it. I asked him tonight would he scream > like that in Dr. H's office he said no, but the discussion got no > where else. Anyone else have similar experience(s). Really > appreciate any help. > > Dave and Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2004 Report Share Posted February 11, 2004 Dave & , I have a few suggestions for you that may help. Sometimes numbing the area with ice or an ice pack first helps. You only have to hold the ice on the spot you wish to inject for 10-30 seconds max. This may take the sting away, and is also supposed to help lessen bruising. Fortunately, my son has never complained about the GH shots, but he does complain a lot when we give him Lupron shots, although these are intramuscular. It pains me to give my son these shots while he screams bloody murder. Several months ago, my son had bloodwork done in the endocrinologist's office, which also included a Lupron injection. The nurse sprayed the area with ethyl chloride, a topical anesthetic. This works instantaneously unlike emela cream. It is considered a skin refrigerant, and is so cold that it may burn a little. This does not bother my son. This has been a godsend as he doesn't flinch at all now when I give him the Lupron shots. For the GH shots, we use a device called a Cool Click to give him the injections. This is a needle-free device that delivers the GH via a high pressure stream. I am not sure that it can be used with all GH meds though. My son is on Saizen. While I have never ued this device on myself, it is supposed to feel a bit like a rubber band snapping against you. We have used this for 2.5 years now with no complaints from us or my son. I wish you the best of luck with Jay. Hang in there! Kim C. > We have been giving our son, Jay, shots (we call them pokes) for > almost 5 months. We tried when he was a sleep but he was a light > sleeper and woke terrified a couple of times. He is our only child > so I am sure we have coddled a bit too much, but anyway we give > 50cc every night and it is still torturous for him and I dread > bedtime for him knowing what his reaction will be. We try to make > it light and help him to know how to breathe. But he screams bloody > murder right after the shot and seems to suffer during - it probably > takes us 4 -6 seconds we push in a little slower vs. fast all at > once. I know it burns (we are doing Humatrope and I do it free > hand subcutaneously on about a 45 -60 degree angle in his buttocks) - > the only place he wants it. I asked him tonight would he scream > like that in Dr. H's office he said no, but the discussion got no > where else. Anyone else have similar experience(s). Really > appreciate any help. > > Dave and Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2004 Report Share Posted February 11, 2004 I would recommend either purchasing or getting insurance to cover the Eli Lilly Injectease. The syringe fits inside. From what I have heard from other parents, a lot of the pain is the actual parent " pushing " the needle into the skin. But the Injectease uses a spring to push the needle so far and so steady that the pain is GREATLY reduced (my daughter dreads if we can't find the Injectease) -- plus it also hides the needle..... Also, you aren't wiping the area with alcohol first are you? As that can cause extra burning. Lastly, you can ask your endo to try a different " dilutant " -- some children have sensitive reactions to the dilutant that is mixed with the GH, which can cause a burning sensation as it goes into the skin. When the dilutant is switched, that feeling goes away. Lastly, since this has gone on for 5 months, I would definitely try the above 3 things, since it has gone on so long. Normally it stops after a week or two. A reward system can work for some kids -- Dr. H recommends giving one star each night for taking your shot, and TWO stars for each night that you take the shot without crying (so they get a star no matter what). Keep us posted! Oh, and also make sure to help your son see how much he grows so that he can visualize/connect the results between shots and growth. > We have been giving our son, Jay, shots (we call them pokes) for > almost 5 months. We tried when he was a sleep but he was a light > sleeper and woke terrified a couple of times. He is our only child > so I am sure we have coddled a bit too much, but anyway we give > 50cc every night and it is still torturous for him and I dread > bedtime for him knowing what his reaction will be. We try to make > it light and help him to know how to breathe. But he screams bloody > murder right after the shot and seems to suffer during - it probably > takes us 4 -6 seconds we push in a little slower vs. fast all at > once. I know it burns (we are doing Humatrope and I do it free > hand subcutaneously on about a 45 -60 degree angle in his buttocks) - > the only place he wants it. I asked him tonight would he scream > like that in Dr. H's office he said no, but the discussion got no > where else. Anyone else have similar experience(s). Really > appreciate any help. > > Dave and Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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