blood work

April 5, 2006

Rose,

I forgot to say that my kids have their labs drawn on their arms (not their

hands like in the picture). That's probably a position more like you would

use to start an IV.

Another use... My 5 year old had to have 2 staples in his head earlier this

year. When we got to emergency room, I asked if we could put some EMLA on

the wound. I was amazed to find out that we could put it on the open wound

(I would NEVER put it on an open wound without a doctor telling me it was

OK!). The nurse thought that was a great idea and by the time the Dr. got

there to do the stapling, the area was numb. They couldn't believe how well

it went.

When it was time to get the staples out, with the doctor's permission I put

a glob of Emla on his head before went to have the staples out and voila!

No pain. The nurse said she'd never seen a kid be so " good " about having

staples removed (now why they don't do this for all kids is beyond me).

Several times I have ended up at the hospital with a child wishing I had

EMLA and when I ask, someone always pulls a tube out of a drawer somewhere

and puts it on (but not once has anyone offered it before I asked... It just

doesn't seem to occur to them). It is a wonderful thing for kids.

Caroline

April 5, 2006

but doesn't the cream have to be covered?

We use alot of reinforcements for a blooddraw.

From a lollypop afterwards, to special fancy bandaids

to his favorite restaurant and/or bookstore.

I was told once by an older nurse to blow on his

face to distract him.

has been having blood taken, monthly, for almost

7 yrs. He's better, but Dad still has to hold him.

, who is now almost 90 lbs and 5',

sits on Dad's lap. Dad, who is 6'5 " , crosses his legs around

's legs and holds the arm not getting poked behind him.

doesn't like the anticipation of waiting for the butterfly -

we ask for a butterfly because it decreases needle movement

when they have to exchange a colored tube out.

Of course, we always blame Dr Goldberg when more

than 2 tubes have to be taken :-)

doris

land

>

> Rose,

>

> I forgot to say that my kids have their labs drawn on their arms

(not their

> hands like in the picture). That's probably a position more like

you would

> use to start an IV.

>

> Another use... My 5 year old had to have 2 staples in his head

earlier this

> year. When we got to emergency room, I asked if we could put some

EMLA on

> the wound. I was amazed to find out that we could put it on the

open wound

> (I would NEVER put it on an open wound without a doctor telling me

it was

> OK!). The nurse thought that was a great idea and by the time the

Dr. got

> there to do the stapling, the area was numb. They couldn't believe

how well

> it went.

>

> When it was time to get the staples out, with the doctor's

permission I put

> a glob of Emla on his head before went to have the staples out and

voila!

> No pain. The nurse said she'd never seen a kid be so " good " about

having

> staples removed (now why they don't do this for all kids is beyond me).

>

> Several times I have ended up at the hospital with a child wishing I had

> EMLA and when I ask, someone always pulls a tube out of a drawer

somewhere

> and puts it on (but not once has anyone offered it before I asked...

It just

> doesn't seem to occur to them). It is a wonderful thing for kids.

>

> Caroline

>

April 5, 2006

Hi Rose -

I agree with everyone suggesting EMLA cream. However,

we never had any for labs, and my (then) 2 & 4 year

old still did well. The first time was the roughest,

but it was only the part where the needle was coming

at him. I prepared them beforehand (not that the 2yr

old really understood but he went 2nd) by pointing out

the veins throughout the arms, telling them about how

a sharp needle can poke thru the skin, and pull out

blood to do tests. I spoke real dramatically like it

was an exciting phenomenon. Then I said that it can

hurt when the needle pokes the skin, and that IF it

does hurt, what you do is yell " OW OW OW " real loud

and told them that " That takes the hurt away, and it

can even scare the person drawing the lab " and

laughed. Then, when it was actually time, my oldest

sat in my lap, and I wrapped my leg around his legs

and held one arm, and we gently (with no anxiety in

our tones, very perky like it was an experience) told

him that Daddy would hold the other arm still just so

if he got scared for a minute, he wouldn't forget and

bump his arm. I told him we were going to keep him

safe by doing that - I wanted him to feel like our

holding him was to keep him safe, not to pin him down.

Then, the arm to be drawn from, I told him " Now we

hold it real straight like this " and you hold his

wrist in one hand and put the other hand under the

elbow, holding the arm firmly straight. I just kept

chattering the whole time about what we were doing,

how it keeps it from hurting, how it keeps his arm

safe, and had him 'practice' yelling " OW OW OW " . If

they can understand, the promise that he can yell out

gives them power, gives them something to focus on

doing and plan for, etc. When they get scared and

anxious when they see the needle coming - actually

when they start wrapping the tourniquet and panic is

about to set in, I acknowledge that fear saying " Boy

it sure looks scary, huh? " and tell them to say

" Scared scared scared! " I don't know why, but it

really worked for both of them. (BTW - Make sure the

tourniquet (spelling?) is on the sleeve - it won't

pinch the skin so much & freak them out.) This is,

of course, assuming the child has speech, but you can

still chatter about what is happening, and your

reassured and reverent tone (wow, check this out kind

of tone) will help a great deal.

My son started to panic and flail and struggle at

first, and I acted dumb about it, and said " Does that

look really scary? Don't forget to get ready to yell

as loud as you can " . The needle pricked his skin, he

gasped, and I said " Oooh ... look at that blood coming

out! Look how fast you can shoot it into that vial!

Wow! " and he stared at it. Then he looked at me and

said " Oops, I forgot to say Ow! " . The vein collapsed,

and they had to poke him again in the other arm, and

he proudly handed her his arm and took it like a

champ.

Then his 2 yr old brother had to go, and it was just

as easy, because he had seen it, and he cried just a

moment, and also got distracted by " You did it! Look

at that blood coming out! " . I don't remember it step

by step as clearly (poor second children!)

Then they were so pumped up and proud of themselves

that they strutted out of there, pumped up on

adrenaline, and we had a fabulous rest of the day. In

fact, every time we've ever had their labs done, the

rest of the day and evening would be exceptionally

great, maybe because of such positive feedback, maybe

because they were so proud of overcoming a frightening

experience. Don't go in expecting it to be utterly

traumatic and horrible, or that feeling and fear will

absolutely transfer to your child. Even if they are

completely freaking out and hysterical, still talk in

an upbeat way, acknowledging their fear, and the

moment the puncture succeeds and blood starts flowing,

yell out " You did it! " like he just scored a home run,

and treat him like you're so proud. I jump up and down

and squeal and otherwise make a fool of myself for

them, and also, lab techs have said they're going to

use the " OW OW OW " for other kids. It will have an

impact next time. My kids only displayed the briefest

anxiety over any future labs, and sometimes I got the

feeling it was even an act on a couple of occasions.

And I'm not talking about particularly brave or well

behaved kids, either. (But my 'ASD' son did

understand everything I was saying, which certainly

helps, but again, tone of voice is everything.)

If you can, go to a children's hospital to get the

labs, or at least ask for the best person for doing

labs on a child. You may end up having two separate

labs depending on his age/size due to the amount of

blood to be drawn, but again, ask for the phlebotomist

with the most experience. They can get the most tubes

with the least amount of blood - some can draw fewer

tubes because they know which tests can be combined on

the same tube. Your average lab tech does not know

these things. If you can, even call in advance and

ask to fax the order the day before and ask them to

code it and combine tests in advance - otherwise you

may wait over an hour for them to figure it out. Dr

's office sends lab orders with the codes (for

Quest lab at least, but some techs can convert them to

their own lab's codes over the web) - Dr G's didn't do

that when I was having the labs done but you can ask

them for the coded ones too. Also, confirm they have

butterfly needles if you don't go to a children's

hospital, and if they don't, don't go.

Hope that helps, and best of luck! And get copies of

the labs - don't fret if everything is in " normal

range " - evaluate them and post results here for

comparison regardless of how your doctor interprets

them, because it takes experience to know what you're

looking for.

Sorry so long, but hey, this is traumatic for us

parents too!

--- Rose Chand <rosechand@...> wrote:

> Hi

> I gave my Family Doctors Dr Goldberg's DVD and he

> is now willing to order Blood work for me. The

> question I have is how have other parents approached

> this with their children? My son is hyperactive and

> how do I get him to the point of the blood draw.

> Have anyone used sedation if so what type. Any

> suggestion would be great.

>

> He has a dental work that will most likely require

> him be asleep under GA....I am not sure how long

> that will take could be 4-5 months. I would like to

> get the blood work done before that.

>

> Thanks

> Rose Chand

>

> ---------------------------------

> Photos – NEW, now offering a quality print

> service from just 8p a photo.

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

__________________________________________________

April 6, 2006

> but doesn't the cream have to be covered?

Yes, we always cover it on his arm, but when he hurt his head the nurse

just put a dollop on (without covering it... since it was in his hair I

don't know how we could have covered it very easily) while we sat there and

it seemed to work fine. Of course we were right there with him to make sure

he didn't put his hand up there and eat it or something.

Caroline

April 9, 2006

Hi

Thanks for all the advice on blood drawing ...I plan on doing it next

week .

I will keep you posted on how it goes.

Thanks

Rose

--- <thecolemans4@...> wrote:

> Hi Rose -

>

> I agree with everyone suggesting EMLA cream. However,

> we never had any for labs, and my (then) 2 & 4 year

> old still did well. The first time was the roughest,

> but it was only the part where the needle was coming

> at him. I prepared them beforehand (not that the 2yr

> old really understood but he went 2nd) by pointing out

> the veins throughout the arms, telling them about how

> a sharp needle can poke thru the skin, and pull out

> blood to do tests. I spoke real dramatically like it

> was an exciting phenomenon. Then I said that it can

> hurt when the needle pokes the skin, and that IF it

> does hurt, what you do is yell " OW OW OW " real loud

> and told them that " That takes the hurt away, and it

> can even scare the person drawing the lab " and

> laughed. Then, when it was actually time, my oldest

> sat in my lap, and I wrapped my leg around his legs

> and held one arm, and we gently (with no anxiety in

> our tones, very perky like it was an experience) told

> him that Daddy would hold the other arm still just so

> if he got scared for a minute, he wouldn't forget and

> bump his arm. I told him we were going to keep him

> safe by doing that - I wanted him to feel like our

> holding him was to keep him safe, not to pin him down.

> Then, the arm to be drawn from, I told him " Now we

> hold it real straight like this " and you hold his

> wrist in one hand and put the other hand under the

> elbow, holding the arm firmly straight. I just kept

> chattering the whole time about what we were doing,

> how it keeps it from hurting, how it keeps his arm

> safe, and had him 'practice' yelling " OW OW OW " . If

> they can understand, the promise that he can yell out

> gives them power, gives them something to focus on

> doing and plan for, etc. When they get scared and

> anxious when they see the needle coming - actually

> when they start wrapping the tourniquet and panic is

> about to set in, I acknowledge that fear saying " Boy

> it sure looks scary, huh? " and tell them to say

> " Scared scared scared! " I don't know why, but it

> really worked for both of them. (BTW - Make sure the

> tourniquet (spelling?) is on the sleeve - it won't

> pinch the skin so much & freak them out.) This is,

> of course, assuming the child has speech, but you can

> still chatter about what is happening, and your

> reassured and reverent tone (wow, check this out kind

> of tone) will help a great deal.

>

> My son started to panic and flail and struggle at

> first, and I acted dumb about it, and said " Does that

> look really scary? Don't forget to get ready to yell

> as loud as you can " . The needle pricked his skin, he

> gasped, and I said " Oooh ... look at that blood coming

> out! Look how fast you can shoot it into that vial!

> Wow! " and he stared at it. Then he looked at me and

> said " Oops, I forgot to say Ow! " . The vein collapsed,

> and they had to poke him again in the other arm, and

> he proudly handed her his arm and took it like a

> champ.

>

> Then his 2 yr old brother had to go, and it was just

> as easy, because he had seen it, and he cried just a

> moment, and also got distracted by " You did it! Look

> at that blood coming out! " . I don't remember it step

> by step as clearly (poor second children!)

>

> Then they were so pumped up and proud of themselves

> that they strutted out of there, pumped up on

> adrenaline, and we had a fabulous rest of the day. In

> fact, every time we've ever had their labs done, the

> rest of the day and evening would be exceptionally

> great, maybe because of such positive feedback, maybe

> because they were so proud of overcoming a frightening

> experience. Don't go in expecting it to be utterly

> traumatic and horrible, or that feeling and fear will

> absolutely transfer to your child. Even if they are

> completely freaking out and hysterical, still talk in

> an upbeat way, acknowledging their fear, and the

> moment the puncture succeeds and blood starts flowing,

> yell out " You did it! " like he just scored a home run,

> and treat him like you're so proud. I jump up and down

> and squeal and otherwise make a fool of myself for

> them, and also, lab techs have said they're going to

> use the " OW OW OW " for other kids. It will have an

> impact next time. My kids only displayed the briefest

> anxiety over any future labs, and sometimes I got the

> feeling it was even an act on a couple of occasions.

> And I'm not talking about particularly brave or well

> behaved kids, either. (But my 'ASD' son did

> understand everything I was saying, which certainly

> helps, but again, tone of voice is everything.)

>

> If you can, go to a children's hospital to get the

> labs, or at least ask for the best person for doing

> labs on a child. You may end up having two separate

> labs depending on his age/size due to the amount of

> blood to be drawn, but again, ask for the phlebotomist

> with the most experience. They can get the most tubes

> with the least amount of blood - some can draw fewer

> tubes because they know which tests can be combined on

> the same tube. Your average lab tech does not know

> these things. If you can, even call in advance and

> ask to fax the order the day before and ask them to

> code it and combine tests in advance - otherwise you

> may wait over an hour for them to figure it out. Dr

> 's office sends lab orders with the codes (for

> Quest lab at least, but some techs can convert them to

> their own lab's codes over the web) - Dr G's didn't do

> that when I was having the labs done but you can ask

> them for the coded ones too. Also, confirm they have

> butterfly needles if you don't go to a children's

> hospital, and if they don't, don't go.

>

> Hope that helps, and best of luck! And get copies of

> the labs - don't fret if everything is in " normal

> range " - evaluate them and post results here for

> comparison regardless of how your doctor interprets

> them, because it takes experience to know what you're

> looking for.

>

> Sorry so long, but hey, this is traumatic for us

> parents too!

>

> --- Rose Chand <rosechand@...> wrote:

>

> > Hi

> > I gave my Family Doctors Dr Goldberg's DVD and he

> > is now willing to order Blood work for me. The

> > question I have is how have other parents approached

> > this with their children? My son is hyperactive and

> > how do I get him to the point of the blood draw.

> > Have anyone used sedation if so what type. Any

> > suggestion would be great.

> >

> > He has a dental work that will most likely require

> > him be asleep under GA....I am not sure how long

> > that will take could be 4-5 months. I would like to

> > get the blood work done before that.

> >

> > Thanks

> > Rose Chand

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Photos – NEW, now offering a quality print

> > service from just 8p a photo.

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

>

> __________________________________________________

>

August 31, 2006

Hi,

Yes you are in need of more T.

It is very difficult to get an endocrinologist that treats andropause.

It is best to choose a reproductive endocrinolgist who treats couples

for fertility problems. He/she will determine whether your testicles

don't work well or if the messenger hormone is not high enough to turn

on your testicles to give you what should be normal.

My doctor is Dr. Gambrell of Augusta GA who provides all forms of T

therapy including hormone pellets which I count the best as there is

no day to day patient involvement and I go back for more pellets every

4 months. Pellets provide 24/7 dosages as the pellets have a constant

rate of dissolving. Shots should be weekly of twice/week in order to

avoid a reaction of the body that converts surges of T into E2 causing

adverse effects to the patient.

Most doctors do not provide enough T to allow the patients to receive

the benefits of a level over 800. It is not uncommon for some men who

can not use the creams and ointments as they are not absorbed well in

some.

ernestnolan

>

> I just got my T levels checked and I came in at 133. I am a 37 year

> old male and the lab slip says that I am out of range. The range

> being 241-827. I have tried the patch and the gel but it never seemed

> to work. I will be seeing a Endo next week, so any suggestions?

>

August 31, 2006

Yep, welcome to our club.Your T is definitly out of range for your age and this

level is around the norm for a male centarian (hope I spelled that right). Your

next step is more tests for LH and FSH but with this level of T it's an easy

diagnosis. Your step from here will be either androgel or T injections,

regrettibly for the rest of your life. Alternate treatments with HCG and

arimidex will depend on your doctor.

Ask plenty of questions here; we either know it or we can point you in the

right direction. We also pride ourselves in finding BS from unqualified doctors.

L

ogarchamplin <gripperm@...> wrote:

I just got my T levels checked and I came in at 133. I am a 37 year

old male and the lab slip says that I am out of range. The range

being 241-827. I have tried the patch and the gel but it never seemed

to work. I will be seeing a Endo next week, so any suggestions?

August 31, 2006

Not much to go by what dose were you on and what were your levels on the patch

and on the gels. How did you feel what labs were done before you went on this.

Phil

ogarchamplin <gripperm@...> wrote:

I just got my T levels checked and I came in at 133. I am a 37 year

old male and the lab slip says that I am out of range. The range

being 241-827. I have tried the patch and the gel but it never seemed

to work. I will be seeing a Endo next week, so any suggestions?

August 31, 2006

I just got my T levels checked and I came in at 133. I am a 37 year

old male and the lab slip says that I am out of range. The range

being 241-827. I have tried the patch and the gel but it never seemed

to work. I will be seeing a Endo next week, so any suggestions?

You are really low on Total T. I would suggest you get a complete

blood work up first to find out why you are so low at your age. Then

if he finds out you need Testosterone I would sure go for the shots

rather than gels or patches, have been through both of them and

they won't get my Total high enough to help any. How do you feel?

Can you get an erection? Tell us a little more about yourself and

what your condition is so someone here can help, thats what this

is all about.

Regards

Roy

---------------------------------

Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+

countries) for 2¢/min or less.

September 1, 2006

>

> I just got my T levels checked and I came in at 133. I am a 37 year

> old male and the lab slip says that I am out of range. The range

> being 241-827. I have tried the patch and the gel but it never

seemed

> to work. I will be seeing a Endo next week, so any suggestions?

>

That was about the level I had when first tested. I also had E2 at

about 84.

Get your Estradiol E2 tested.

My total T is now in the upper 1/4 & the E2 is in the lower 1/4 of

the ranges.

I went from patch to gel & then self injection of .25cc or 50mg twice

a week,

It would have taken $600 a month for AG to reach that T level & the

self injection is about $25 per month.

Good luck

> You are really low on Total T. I would suggest you get a complete

> blood work up first to find out why you are so low at your age.

Then

> if he finds out you need Testosterone I would sure go for the

shots

> rather than gels or patches, have been through both of them and

> they won't get my Total high enough to help any. How do you feel?

> Can you get an erection? Tell us a little more about yourself and

> what your condition is so someone here can help, thats what this

> is all about.

> Regards

> Roy

>

> ---------------------------------

> Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and

30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

>

September 1, 2006

I just had a ton of blood work run so let me know what results you

would like and I can tell you. I suffer from no sex drive at all and

ED. Plus if I can manage an erection I wind up not lasting long at

all. My first family doc tried the patch but my skin broke out. Then

we tried the gel but once my level hit 245 he said that was " in range "

but i did not feel any different and told him that I needed more gel

even thou it was killing the checkbook. I switched family docs and he

was giving me injections but it was monthly and the week of the

injections were great but by mid month it was gone. Then we move to

another state and I am starting all over again

>

> I just got my T levels checked and I came in at 133. I am a 37 year

> old male and the lab slip says that I am out of range. The range

> being 241-827. I have tried the patch and the gel but it never seemed

> to work. I will be seeing a Endo next week, so any suggestions?

>

> You are really low on Total T. I would suggest you get a complete

> blood work up first to find out why you are so low at your age. Then

> if he finds out you need Testosterone I would sure go for the shots

> rather than gels or patches, have been through both of them and

> they won't get my Total high enough to help any. How do you feel?

> Can you get an erection? Tell us a little more about yourself and

> what your condition is so someone here can help, thats what this

> is all about.

> Regards

> Roy

>

> ---------------------------------

> Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and

30+ countries) for 2ï¿½/min or less.

>

December 13, 2006

> >>

> >> Our Dan doctor told us to keep our 3 and a half yr old on CLO

along

> >> with the PRO EFA. Isn't this too much efa? I thought that the

PRO EFA

> >> replaces the CLO execpt for Vit A and D (which I was going to

give

> >> other supplements in place of.)HELP.

> >> Tanja

> >>

> >

December 13, 2006

> >>

> >> Our Dan doctor told us to keep our 3 and a half yr old on CLO

along

> >> with the PRO EFA. Isn't this too much efa? I thought that the

PRO EFA

> >> replaces the CLO execpt for Vit A and D (which I was going to

give

> >> other supplements in place of.)HELP.

> >> Tanja

> >>

> >

June 5, 2007

Woohoo!!

Kristy

Blood work

I forgot to mention that for the first time, we have *almost* normal

blood work!!! There were just 2 things on there that were out of

normal range and I think Dr. G retested those. I was so excited to

see the progression in his labs!

Cheryl

June 6, 2007

I think this is the best way to know your child's body is getting

better, and in turn you then see the development come back. So

exciting!

>

> I forgot to mention that for the first time, we have *almost* normal

> blood work!!! There were just 2 things on there that were out of

> normal range and I think Dr. G retested those. I was so excited to

> see the progression in his labs!

>

> Cheryl

>

March 26, 2008

I had it done on the same day and called for my results yesterday and they

called me

back about 4 hrs. later but sometimes you just have to keep after them.

A few times my doc apologized saying my results got buried on her desk and

said

to not hesitate to call her if I had a question.

Joy

Sharon <Fotograffa@...> wrote:

Hi everyone,

I have a question. On the 13th I saw a doctor regarding my condition

which is still undiagnosed. She gave me a script for blood work and I

had it done on the 18th. Today is the 26th...does that seem like a

long time to wait for results?? I called yesterday to see if they

had gotten the results yet and someone was going to call me back. No

one did. I called again today and was told as of yesterday they had

no yet received it and that's why no one called. ?? I called again

today and asked if 8 days is along time to wait and she was a little

vague saying some tests take 7 days..blah, blah, blah. All I am

asking is that someone check..PLEASE???? I feel like I'm getting a

run around. She said she would check and call me back. I would like

to get this information so hopefully I can get DX and start

treatment. It's not like I'm getting any better.

Not a great day for me and in fact, I think I'm on my own nerves

today.

Do any of you have to wait for what feels like eternity for lab work

to get back to your doctor's office??

I hope you're all having a good day.

Take good care,

Sharon in NJ

------------------------------------

March 26, 2008

Sharon, I get my bloodwork done at a Quest draw location, the doctor has the

results the next morning. Love that. mary in pa

[ ] Blood work