Sedation during tests?? was Re: tobramycin/Roxxe

December 31, 2003

; I would not go with sedation; try to get someone who can " work " with

him as he will have to live with this all his life. I worry about any sedation

or

anaesthesia. Many do fine on Versed, but it nearly killed me once during an

upper g.i. exam, and I was given very little. I think caution is justified.

Just

typing out loud here! n, who wishes you and Levi the best!

Sedation during tests?? was Re: tobramycin/Roxxe

What would they use for sedation during a hearing test? Or any test

on children with cf, for that matter?

The reason I am asking is that we have a clinic appointment

approaching with yearly bloodwork, x-rays, etc., due.

Levi is one tough little trooper (usually) and is (generally)

fearless. Needles, however, bring him to tears easily. Okay,

maybe " tears " isn't quite the word for it. " Hysterics " would be a

better description. In fact, when we went for our annual flu shots

at our local health department, he took off when he saw them put the

needle in his brother's arm. (And his brother was putting on a very

good, **see me smiling, doesn't hurt a bit** show, too!) He got

half-way down the hall to the exit before I tackled him.

Actually, that was much easier than holding him down for the stick.

He's always been upset with needles, much more so since he had to

get stitches inside his mouth and on his chin when he was about two

years old. (14 stitches, I think - he's a really active kid. lots

and lots of injuries for him, lots and lots of gray hair for me to

color.)

I'm not looking for ways to calm him (we've tried EVERYTHING that

parenting books, doctors, nurses, social workers, family, friends,

and strangers have suggested.)

At this point, I'm just wondering if they could give him some

medication that will either calm him substantially, or knock him out

completely for the blood draw.

This may seem like I just want to drug him, but I'm really not that

way at all. I always question when medication is prescribed (is

this really neccesary? how soon can we discontinue it? is the dose

too high? what side effects are likely? etc.)

The reality is that clinic is weeks away and I am unable to sleep (5

a.m. here, been up all night) dreading it already. It is going to be

a nightmare from the time he suspects that there will be a blood

draw until we are half-way home from the clinic visit (which is

about an hour's drive on a good, clear, low-traffic day - and about

two and a half eternities with a screaming, ticked-off five-year-old

kicking the back of my seat and banging his bandaged arm on the

window.)

So, the question for those who have gone before me:

What are our options here?

EMLA cream doesn't seem to help, we've used it for the past three

years when blood draws were required, and it just doesn't seem to

make much difference. He is just petrified of the whole experience.

If sedation is an option, what are the risks? Are there increased

risks of complications due to cf? He's generally really healthy

(strong fighter, takes several people to hold him down for a stick.)

Also, will medication that sedates him affect the results of the

blood tests? I don't want to have to repeat this because of some

medication causing invalid results. It is just typical yearly blood

work, nothing out of the ordinary that I'm aware of. He will get

throat culture, x-rays, height/weight check, pfts, and the usually

exam by the dr. the same day. Not sure if any of this would be

affected by sedation - pfts maybe? Does anyone know for sure?

I am going to place a call to the clinic nurse (who is WONDERFUL)

after the holidays and before our visit to see what can be done, but

really wanted some input from the experts on cfparents before I

speak with her.

Thanks for any information or advice!

~

mommy to 3, 1 with cf

> ,

>

> Jack is in a study about the use of tobramycin (and using

bronchscopies) and

> I found out in a very round about way that tobi can cause hearing

loss when

> they asked to do a hearing test. They wanted to sedate him to do

the test

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

The opinions and information exchanged on this list should IN NO WAY

be construed as medical advice.

PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE CHANGING ANY MEDICATIONS OR TREATMENTS.

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

December 31, 2003

My daughter had this cream for the first time when she was in the hospital.

They used it for where they were going to place the IV's. It made the vein

shrink so they had a hard time finding a vein. She has never had this

problem before. So when they had to move the iv. She told them she didn't

want the cream stuff. We also think she may have been allergic to it

because it made the skin red where they put it on. Sometimes, you just have

to be firm. Have you tried bribery?

Tina W.

Sedation during tests?? was Re: tobramycin/Roxxe

Theres a cream they can put on your lil one when drawing blood.Cant

remember, emlam, or something?The dr will know.Hospitals say it has

to be put on i hr before needle, but most dr offices say 20 or so,

one office even did it 10 min b4.This will numb the area.He will not

feel a thing, unfortunately the pain tends to be psychological more

than anything else, and theres no rx for that.My almost 9 yr old

STILL wont take a shot wo it.I think with anything going IN the body

they cant use it, but ya know i think they make the rules as they go

along:(

Something at least to give you a little hope!!!

Patty

> > ,

> >

> > Jack is in a study about the use of tobramycin (and using

> bronchscopies) and

> > I found out in a very round about way that tobi can cause

hearing

> loss when

> > they asked to do a hearing test. They wanted to sedate him to

do

> the test

>

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

> The opinions and information exchanged on this list should IN NO

WAY

> be construed as medical advice.

>

> PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE CHANGING ANY MEDICATIONS OR

TREATMENTS.

>

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

>

December 31, 2003

--mild sleepiness induced by Benadryl (diphenhydramine) if doctor

approves? Typing out loud, n

Sedation during tests?? was Re: tobramycin/Roxxe

We've tried EMLA cream AND bribery - everything from

candy/Mc's/trips to the Science Center/new GameBoy Games/and

the list goes on. We've tried threats, too.

The EMLA cream makes his arm red, too. I think it just does that

with everyone. He's been wildly phobic of needles since he got

stitches in his mouth. If I told him today that we will be getting

blood drawn in two weeks, he would cry everyday until then begging

not to go. I've tried the " firm " approach and it always ends up

with me and a lab tech and a nurse holding a screaming kid down

while another lab tech sticks the arm. When he was two or three, I

just figured it was something to get through. Now he's five (almost

six) and he's big and strong and it's gotten to the point that it's

a real stress. If there is an easier way...

Thanks for the suggestions.

~

> Sometimes, you just have

> to be firm. Have you tried bribery?

>

> Tina W.

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

The opinions and information exchanged on this list should IN NO WAY

be construed as medical advice.

PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE CHANGING ANY MEDICATIONS OR TREATMENTS.

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

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

December 31, 2003

I think the imperative phrase here is " if doctor approves. "

~

> > --mild sleepiness induced by Benadryl (diphenhydramine)

if

> doctor approves? Typing out loud, n

January 1, 2004

In a message dated 12/31/2003 3:09:51 PM Central Standard Time,

ma8169@... writes: