Griff has a recheck appointment with his allergist coming up and I think they're going to take a blood sample, whereas last time they just scratched the allergen into his skin. I'm extremely worried because I don't see how they'll get blood from him. Do they actually use a needle?? Do they take it from the arm? I know these must be ridiculous questions because how else are they going to take blood from a person but ack! I really don't think Griff is going to sit still.
Anyone elses LO need a blood draw? How did they take it? What exactly did they do? TIA
Re: taking blood samples
Yes we've had a few - 1 & 2 yr lead tests & a re-do because one test didn't work out. When she was one it was a lot harder. This time around, she was far braver than me! Hardly cried and just lied there, clearly nervous but got through it just fine. The nurses who draw the blood are professionals who do this everyday all day. Just let them take the lead and be there to help keep him calm and give him hugs when its all over. It's not traumatizing and he'll probably forget all about it within a day or two
I think it's WAY harder on the parents! Good luck!
Yes, both kids have had blood drawn. N for an anemia check and C for jaundice/liver function. Both from the arm. They do it just like if you got blood taken, but with a smaller needle and vial. If your kid tends to freak out at shots, maybe have a distraction ready - like candy or a video on your phone... C seems like he's going to be a crier. N never really cares about shots or blood draws.
DS has had blood drawn twice, both for allergy testing. At around 6 months, he cried soooo badly. It was rough :-( But he was fine soon after. At around 1 1/2 years, he barely flinched and just watched them drawing his blood.
Hopefully Griff will be ok. I'd make sure to bring some treats with you or a favorite toy to distract him with.
When they scratched the allergen into his skin, he was freaking the fark out. I think they had DH hold him in his lap and hold his one arm down, the dr held the other arm out that he was scratching. It was horrible to watch. I had treats and he was playing games on my cell but it didn't help. He also cries bloody murder with vaccines. I think G is going to give the nurses a run for their money. Crap.
Thanks for the help.
DS had it done as part of his 2 yr well visit. I was so nervous about it, but DS did great.
He sat on my lap. I held his one arm & distracted him with a small book toward that side, while the phlebotomist drew the blood from his other arm. He didn't even flinch - it was pretty incredible, quite honestly, lol.
GL to your LO!
I hope it's not too traumatic for everyone!
DS has had two, for lead testing at 1 and 2. they took it from his thigh. I was nervous and hated seeing them do it, but he didn't seem to make any bigger a deal than with shots, which is to say - flinched and cried at first, but quickly calmed down and tolerated. He was chiller than me, anyways.
A hates get vaccines but surprisingly does great with having blood taken. Like PP said, we had to have lead testing done at 1 and 2 year old. I am so surprised at how well he does. I sit with him and they nurses tell me how to hold him while one takes the blood and another holds his arm. He actually does better than I do with getting blood taken.
Good luck!!!
oliver had his blood taken at 18 months for the standard anemia and lead screenings. we were late though, they prefer it at one year. he did great. he looked a little shocked and said nothing while the blood was being taken. as we were leaving he teared up a little bit (which of course broke my heart), but overall he was very brave.
duncan just had his taken last week (at one year). he had to have a lot more blood taken. in addition to the anemia and lead, they tested for celiac and did a metabolic panel. so he had the needle in for quite a while. he screamed the entire time, but stopped the second the needle was removed and i was able to hold his arm still enough that it worked fine. random: the nurse told me that for his age they usually take from the outside of the arm because the veins on the inside of the arm tear easily in the wee ones.
good luck! it is sad while you are there, but it will be over before you know it.
DS had a blood test done, and I have to be honest, it was not an easy experience. They didn't get the vein in the first try, so they ended up poking him twice, once in each arm. He was hysterical and looking at me like how could I let them hurt him. Pretty bad experience, and he is really good with shots. Hope you have a better experience than we did!
Yes, C's had it done about 7 times, mostly for allergy testing since his allergist does both scratch and bloodwork every 6 months to monitor for trends.
Since he's now a child and not a baby, they'll probably have you hold him in your lap and they'll take it from his arm. After having done this many times, what works well for us is loading him up on fluids 24 hours before (including apple juice immediately prior for the sugar/pain reduction) plus a special treat during (a few m&ms), and best of all, the numbing cream! We got it the last time and it was sooo worth it. It takes 30 minutes to take affect, but definitely worth it. I'd also advise trying to go somewhere that does lots of kids blood draws if you have a choice. Good luck and keep us posted. FX that he's outgrown everything.
My DD has had this done twice now for lead checks. The first time was somewhat traumatic as my DH held her on his lap and she stared at me crying and looking like I was horrid for letting them hurt her.
The second time I cried. The phlebotomist was an idiot and pulled the needle out after some failed attempts at locating the vein, blood squirted out everywhere like it was some horror movie. DD had blood all over her arms and some on her jacket and her face. I was traumatized and so was DD. I am sure this is not typical and G will be fine but I wanted to sympathize.
In reality if done right it's quick and he will forget it ever happened after it's done.
A doesn't get worked up over shots, he had blood drawn once in Jan and did ok. They had him sit on my lap and he is so obsessed with the phone I don't even think he really noticed.
When he gets scratch tested though... It's actually super quick and doesn't seem painful. He doesn't even flinch. They have some weird contraption that has the little allergens on it and they press it on his back while he is standing or sitting on my lap, kinda like a big ink pad but it does scratch him. Seriously takes less than 3 seconds, maybe check with the allergist to see what kind of test it will be blood vs scratch and if it is a scratch ask if there are other ways that wouldn't be so stressful on G.
Good luck!!
DS has had to see a hematologist every three months since he was one for a (thankfully benign!) blood condition and they draw his blood at every visit. Between those visits and a few other things we've had to draw blood for, he's had a lot of blood drawn.
For us, it's always been exactly like a grown-up blood draw. They find a vein on his inner arm, rub with alcohol, tie the tourniquet thing, and stick in the needle to draw blood. Sometimes they've had me or DH hold him still, other times a second nurse has done it, but DS is a cool customer so we've never really had to hold him that much. He likes to sit and watch them do it!
Hope everything goes smoothly! If you're worried about holding him, I might ask the nurse if they have any suggestions on the best way to get him to sit still. They probably do this all the time.