At Asher’s last well-child visit, my pediatrician asked me if I had any concerns. I shared with her that I am concerned about both boys’ lead levels due to all the renovation of 100+ yr old homes in our neighborhood. I also wonder how Asher’s system is tolerating the high amounts of vitamins we give him for his Asperger’s (which by the way are phenomenally effective). Finally, Asher has been having some long-term digestive problems, and I question whether he may also have celiac disease like his baby brother. Obviously, the pediatrician shared my concerns and proceeded to write out prescriptions for blood work.
Blood work. Fantastic. I don’t know how they do things in your neck-of-the-woods, but my experience with medical care in Pennsylvania is that blood work requires an additional “appointment” at a different facility. I have yet to find a physician who performs lab-work on site. Besides being completely inconvenient (and another opportunity to practice deep breathing), there is nothing “kid-friendly” about these outpatient labs. They tend to be noisy, crowded, with long-wait times and no play-areas. And let’s not forget that there is nothing fun about having your blood drawn! Asher has sensory issues and overreacts to mild pain; Zephan has labcoatphobia and freaks when anyone resembling a medical personnel comes near him.
My pediatrician must have intuited (or perhaps my red face, audible sigh, and dripping sweat cued her) that I had some anxiety about the labs. So she asked, “Would you like me to write a prescription for some numbing cream so the stick doesn’t hurt them?” What? Is there such a thing? Why in the world didn’t my physician father tell me about this when I was pregnant and had to be stuck like a pig a gizzilion times due to my hiding veins??? Why is this the first time I am being asked if I would like to spare my children some pain? I gratefully replied an over-enthusiastic “YES”!
The boys had their labs done on Saturday and neither of them cried one tear. They were brave, non-fidgety, and relatively unaffected by the procedure. (I didn’t tell the nurse that they had been numbed, so she was overly impressed by their courage. I figured some further positive-reinforcement wasn’t going to hurt the boys!) Now of course the cream doesn’t come without it’s label precautions, but I whole-heartedly recommend it. In fact, in the future I intend to demand it and wanted to let you know, that if you so choose, you can do the same!
avintagemom.wordpress.com says
I use this cream too, on our little boy. He has a diagnosis of homocystinurea and doesn't process protein correctly. He has to have blood drawn frequently and it breaks my heart to do it. But this creama has been a lifesaver!
Kim (Beth's sis) says
You have got to be kidding me!?! Why in the world did we not have this wonderful tube sitting around our house growing up!??!!! We should have NEVER had a painful shot! Man, I feel jipped!
Melanie S says
Oh wow, I didn’t know you could do that either! What a great idea! I am going to have my dad prescribe some too.
Your poor father. How must he feel that his own daughter has such doctor anxiety?! Hee-hee! You poor thing.
Dan says
My dear Beth — You apparently hide your fears well. If I had only known how terrified you were of getting poked, I would have suggested EMLA cream for you, too. I have recommended this for others who are truly phobic (so long as there is time to apply it well in advance of the blood draw). Unfortunately, however, for many the very sight (or thought) of sharp steel pointed at their skin causes them to panic. For these, I have learned to rely on clinical clues other than lab tests. For all the trauma, I am truly sorry, Sweetie.
Dad
Emily says
When my oldest, John, had to have a blood draw for the first time at 5, our doc looked him very solemnly in the eye and said, “Now John you’re going to have to be very still. We need to do a test to see if in fact you are a relative of the real spiderman.” John’s eyes got huge and when the needle went in he watched the whole time. He was so depressed to find out he was no relation, but ever since then, needles don’t phase him. Who knows, one day he may find out he’s related to superman or batman or some other super hero. 🙂