CT Scan

aryastark5

Has anybody ever had to go through this with their little one? My daughter may need to be scheduled for a CT scan and I've been told they may need to sedate her. What was your experience with that? How long did it take for the medication to wear off? And how long did it take for them to adjust back to their old self/schedule?

AlyLynn07

Ours had a head CT at 7 weeks old and they were able to just restrain him long enough to get it done (it takes a few seconds). I know with MRIs it takes much longer and almost always requires sedation. Haven't specifically dealt with the sedation aspect of either. Hope it goes well!

LukesMom16

Our LO has to have an MRI done this Friday.  It was originally scheduled for last month but he had a cold.  They are going to sedate him, but the nurse who explained the procedure said that it is very easy and not nearly as bad as general anesthesia.  I'll let you know how it goes!

aryastark5

Please do!

aryastark5

And good luck!!

virginiaunicorn11

Good luck to your babies. Thinking of you all and hoping for good results

Kbchavez23

My daughter is a cancer survivor, diagnosed at age 2. She was under sedation lots of time and handled it very well. A little groggy afterwards but for the most part it really is no big deal. Good luck!

laceymarie3

@aryastark5 I am sorry to hear your daughter may need a CT. The good thing is it is a very fast procedure, and she shouldn't need to be sedated. I am a Child Life Specialist, I have worked with children in the hospital for over 10 years and would accompany them to radiology for scans. Young infants typically do well since it is such a fast procedure, it is the toddlers and preschoolers that have more trouble. If she takes a pacifier then make sure you have it with you, if you can feed her immediately before and then swaddled her arms and legs straight she won't even know anything is going on. You can ask to stay with her as well so you can sing or talk to her, most places are okay with a parent staying, as long as you aren't pregnant. If they will scan with and without contrast it is a little longer, but still less than 10 minutes. 

@LukesMom16 Good luck on friday with the MRI. I hope you get the answers you need. If you have any questions that come up feel free to shoot them my way, I have spent many hours with sedated children in a MRI room.

LukesMom16

Thank you ladies.  We were really nervous at first, but the nurses at the hospital have been amazing in talking us through everything and answering any questions we have.  Good luck @aryastark5 I hope they're able to do it without sedation.

aryastark5

Thank you all so much! And thank you for the well wishes! I am sending good vibes to all of you as well!

aryastark5

@Kbchavez23 your daughter sounds so strong! I'm sorry you had to go through that!
@LukesMom16 thank you! Good luck to you, too!
@virginiaunicorn11 thank you so much for the well wishes! Hope all goes smoothly!

aryastark5

@laceymarie3 thank you! We are setting it up for Children's Hospital in hopes of her being able to do this with no (or very little) sedation. I appreciate the information!