Fear of Blood Draws

When I was young I had leukemia, today I am 41. I had to have lots of blood draws and what worked for me is for them just to prick my fingers. It was deduced that I had 10 fingers and only 2 arms and the finger prick healed very quickly. It takes a bit longer though. I don't know if this will work but it might be worth a try.

A Pirate Eye Patch and a Pirate Bandana for both of you.
Patch on the draw side (switch if they can't find a vein) be on the other side going "Arrgggh Privateer! A little stick in the ol' arm ain't as bad as a sword in the side, smuggler!"

And then ply her with cookies and do the Deadman's Dance and jig if she tries to look at her arm or pull away.

the silly distractions will help, even if she's not into pirates.

I'm sorry your poor daughter has to go through all of that. Mine will do anything for the right fashion band aid, but I'm not sure if they would do the trick for routine blood draws...

Hi, D.!
I am so sorry that Layla is "stuck" with being "stuck" on a regular basis.
I used to draw blood for years and the little ones were always the ones that pulled at my heartstrings the most.
I found that it's not the stick so much that bothers them but the inability to move the arm - ie the restraint.
Since she already likes and trusts her doctor, I think it's a good idea that he tries. Also, a quick diversion like "did you see that elephant go by the window?" at the very moment of needle insertion always helped. Try to make the patient laugh.
My own technique was to remove the parent from the room. I know that sounds harsh, but kids just tend to be more sensitive, if you will, when Mom's around. My son is 34 and he still hurts more when he's relaying an experience to me! LOL
Also, I think the idea of a stuffed animal that Deja V suggested is great! Maybe the doc can even stick a needle in it first to show her that it will be okay. And please be sure they are using the right size needle for her little veins.
I hope this helps. My best to both of you!
Love to Layla!

Hi D.:

I wish I had the magic answer for you. Maybe giving her more control of the process would help. Can she hold a tube or maybe hold the bandaid? Has she watched others (maybe even you) have their blood drawn so she knows what the entire process looks like? The ulternative is classic distraction. Can you play a game with her other arm or hand to distract her? Have you played that game where you close your eyes and someone wiggles their finger up your arm and then you have to say when they reach your elbow? Or can you draw shapes in her other hand and have her guess what they are?

I'm sure you are doing everything right. I think some children are just more sensitive then others. My daughter, now six, still crys when she has a shot or even when she has her finger poked. I think your daughter is very brave!

God bless you and your family!

I know how your little one feels, I had to start doing regular blood draws when I was 7. I was diagnosed as a diabetic so they are regular for me now. also became a phlebotomist, not sure how to help you except maybe find one phlebotomist that she is comfortable with once she gets over her panic attacks and keep going to that phlebotomist. just keep doing what you have been doing and reassure her that nothing is going to happen . sorry I wasn't much help

D.,
I would let the doctor give if a try it sounds as though she trusts him. She will have better understanding that this has to be done and that it is not always pleasant having her choose her doctor to do it will help her feel as though she at least has some control over the cituation and may make things a little easier for her. It is rather scary most adults could not handle getting there blood drawn on a regular basis and some phlebotomists are not as gentle as others it takes only once to bring a lifetime of needle fear into a persons mind.( I drew blood for years)
Good Luck!!!!!

I have the same problem with my daughter who needed blood drawn since she was about 6 years old. It seemed to get worse as she grew older and got the idea of it. Yes, they also used infant needles.

There is a cream that numbs the skin topically that could be applied half an hour before the needle goes in, it is prescribed by our doctor: EMLA Cream (lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%)

She may have done better with the cream on, but the last few times (I forgot if she had the cream or not), she was screaming so hard, 3 people had to handle her so she wouldn't move. It could be psychological also, I can imagine my being uncomfortable/ nervous before my blood drawn. I feel so bad for her that I had given up this diagnostic procedure once it was deemed not so necessary.

My advice is pretty much the same as what you've already recieved. My son has had to get frequent blood draws since he was 4, he's now 8. For the first couple of years it was horrible, we tried everything we could think of. Then this past year or so, he came up with his own solution. He has a teddy bear that has felt patches on him (a diabetes bear named Rufus), where blood can be drawn and injections given. Anytime he has to get a poke, Rufus gets one too. Sometimes the phlebotomists will let him use a needle to poke the bear, if not they will usually at least do it themselves. When they allow him to do it things go much smoother as he feels more in control. I don't know if this helps you much, but we are now down to just crying instead of a temper tantrum that used to include hitting, kicking and spitting. Good luck.

Have your daughter sit in Mommys lap for the draw. Ask the nurse to place a heating pad on the arm before the draw, it makes the veins easier to see. Also ask for the "butterfly" needle, and ask for a technician experienced with small children. Sometimes the nurses are too busy to tell you these options are available. They have done it with my daughter and it helped. We also used the numbing cream, for a procedure that required the needle to be in her arm for about an hour. It worked great, but you need to be at the appointment an hour before the procedure.

My daughter had a similiar experience, I held her in my lap and reqeusted that the nurse use a butterfly rather than a regular needle, I talked with her about the colorful posters on the wall and she actually was able to get through it.

Another issue was the dentist as she had been traumatized at two years old when they actually tied her to a board to keep her still, she broke out in hives all over. I took her to my dental appointments from then on so she could see that I go through much worse. I talked with her about the experience and told her if she was cooperative and did what they asked, they would never have to do that to her again. Of course, after that first horrible experience we changed dentists immediately and found the UOP Pediatric School of Dentistry.

Good Luck!

Since it seems like this is something that will have to continue for a long time, perhaps the empowerment/control will be important for your daughter in the long run. getting your daughter involved like one of the postings mentioned sounds like a good idea. also, maybe talking about/imagining stories including the blood draw process (that a fairy or elmo or someone does?) while going to bed or reading books about it could help make the issue more commonplace.....if she gets scared/anxious you can try to coordinate that with relaxation techniques like wiggle your toe then take deep breaths, do your legs, etc. these are all techniques aimed at reducing the anxiety/fear associations that can accumulate. maybe you could have a torniquet or blood draw tube at home for her to play doctor with? my heart goes out to you and your little girl!

I tend to agree with your hesitation about the doctor doing the blood draw, but is there another lab or a different part of the current one where she could go? Maybe the change in scenery would help. Is it the same phlebotomist every time? Maybe a different person with a different technique? Or you could ask them to do the prep of the needle and collection bottle before Layla sits down and offers her arm. The anticipation of a shot or draw always freaks me out- even though I KNOW it doesn't hurt much. As far as distractions, maybe a DVD palyer or headphones with some upbeat or silly music. My kids love Jamba Juice- maybe she could have a treat like that or a milkshake to suck on during the draw? I only had to take my baby boy for a draw twice- the second time because they couldn't find the vein the first time- and it was awful. I am sorry your girl has to do this so often.

My nephew has a medical condition that requires frequent blood draws and MRI's. When he goes for a blood draw the nurses give him a "magic lotion" that numbs his arm. He really just rubs it onto his arm wher the needle will be. It is likely a lidocaine-like lotion. They give him the numbing lotion and all he has to do is look away because he isn't going to feel it. There are things available, if your daughter needs frequent blood samples, to make it less traumatic. Ask your Dr, nurse, or phlebotomist.

Hi D.,

I'm a fairly nutrition-oriented person, but I read an article in the NY Times that addresses this problem and I wanted to share it with you even though it sort of complicates my feelings about sugar intake. (If you want to look at the article itself, check out the wedsite, nytimes.com and look in the Tuesday Science section from this week, MArch 11, 2008.) Apparently a little bit of sugar water helps kids with the perception of pain, who'd have guessed? Hope this helps. Good luck, it sounds like it's hard for both of you.

My heart goes out to you both D.. You didn't say, but I am hoping that the Phlebotomist is using a Pedia-Draw needle on Layla. I am 46 yrs. old and I request one. It doesn't hurt me and I am not left with a bruise later. I am not certain but, I think there is even an Infant-Draw needle. I don't know if it would work on a 2-yr.old though. I would try and find an age appropriate book on the subject and plan an exciting outing after the draw, making it a celebrated ritual after these appointments. I don't know if Layla likes stuffed animals, but a trip to TJ-Maxx, Tuesday Mornings, etc. has reasonable prices on such items. The focus could be on Layla's bravery and picking out something soft to cuddle with and, perhaps it will accompany her to future appts. giving her something to focus on. I hope the situation improves.

Hi D.. My 2 y.o. also has to go in for frequent blood draws so I feel yours and her pain. Can they use the numbing cream? I haven't had to use it with my 2 y.o. but when my 3 y.o. was younger we had to use it on her.

I have found with my 2 y.o. if he is put more in control of the situation then he doesn't get as upset. So when we go in and sit down, they let him look at the tubes and he gets to try to put on the tourniquet himself. They use a butterfly needle and count to three before he gets stuck. That way there are no surprises.

Sorry I don't have more advice. I've been lucky he hasn't had a major reaction to the draws.

L.