Our 1 year check up nightmare

[Anonymous]

Ariella had her one year appt a few days ago. After checking her height, weight, etc..her ped told me that he had to do some blood tests for lead and it has to be taken through her arm (like they take blood from adults). Well, she has terrible veins (she took that after me) so the dr attempted to do it TWICE while fishing for her veins under her skin with the needle. Ariella was screaming like someone was trying to kill her (and I was on the verge of killing the dr) while I, DH and him were holding her down. After the second attempt I said “enough” and just didn’t let him proceed. He asked me to come back in a month to “try” again and I really don’t want to!!! I can’t put her through this again. I asked him if I can turn this test down until she’s older and he told me “no, it’s the law, we have to do it” and explained that it’s done to check for lead levels in her blood to make sure they are not high. I know my sister had to do the same thing for her DD but others did it through a finger prick. Anyone heard of this??? I really don’t want her going through this again.

[Anonymous]

I know Kaden had a blood draw at age 1 as well, but I believe it was a finger prick. Although they warmed his hand really good with something to get the blood flowing. They just taped this warm thing to his hand while we were waiting for the blood draw and I made sure he didn’t pull it off (occupied him with some Goldfish crackers ). I am so sorry, that sounds HORRIBLE. I know for a fact that there are things like numbing patches, warming patches to make blood flow easier, etc. I would demand these things if they are demanding a re-draw. Poor Ariella and poor mommy!

[Anonymous]

oh i am sorry to hear that.. i could only imagine how hard that would of been..

we had to draw blood for an allergy testing.. and boy it was a scary sight!

but.. i also wanted to say that my ped. never asked to check for lead! i am wondering if everyone elses ped’s do this??

[Anonymous]

Lauren, I would not do this if our insurance would not actually call us to remind us that she needs to have her blood drawn at her one year check up. I really want to see if I can do it through finger. I think I can handle that but having her go through that nightmare again…I don’t think I can. I was bawling after we got out of the office saying “mommy’s sorry” b/c I felt like I failed her at letting the dr do this to her.

[Anonymous]

I don’t blame you! I would check to see if there is any way they could agree to doing a finger prick. The result would be the same right, unless they need a LOT of blood and think it would be easier to get a lot at once somewhere else, which in that case, I’d insist in a numbing patch. I know I’ve heard other moms talk about those patches. Maybe someone can chime in.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for mentioning the patch. If there is no way around it, then I’ll definitely request it.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm, that’s interesting! We had the lead test done a few months ago and it was done through a finger prick. It wasn’t pretty though. They had to squeeze her little finger for soooooooooo long trying to get enough blood for their vile. I don’t know if Sarah was screaming so hard because it hurt or because I had to physically hold her still for so long. I think having blood work done in general just SUCKS! Hopefully you can try the finger prick since the other method was obviously NOT working. UGH! Poor baby!

[Anonymous]

Marianna,
I’m sorry you had such a bad experience. We’ve had to have Bryce’s blood drawn MANY times, so I know how you feel. Do you have a children’s hospital nearby? If you do, you might try taking her there to have the blood drawn. They are trained in drawing blood specifically from children and usually do a MUCH better job. We always try to do it there when we have to. Of course, if you CAN get the finger prick that’d be much better. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Lauren-

Our doc said Gabby didn’t have to have a lead test because our house was built after lead paint was being used. Although, I am a little nervous now due to all the lead painted toys and knowing our water supply is city of Milwaukee.

Gabby had to have her blood drawn on a previous occasion to have her live enzymes tested. Did anyone else have to do this? My doc wants us to do this every three months as long as she’s on 30mg. Anyways, they took it out of her arm and she screamed bloody murder. I can relate to how much it stinks. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I have never heard of the lead test. Luke’s last visit other than being sick was two and Justice we stopped at one. We just don’t go to the dr. unless something is really wrong. Interesting though. Is it a new test?

[Anonymous]

Chloe had her lead test done with the finger prick and then they squeezed it to get the blood out, it took awhile but at least Chloe didn’t cry. They did it that way because they couldn’t find a good vein and they didn’t want it to be an ordeal. I can say that the best place we have had blood work is at Hasbro (local children’s hospital). They have done bloodwork several times (including a second draw when the doctor added last minute test) they used a butterfly and there was not a single tear. I will always go there now after ordeals elsewhere. I second the going to the children’s hospital if you can do that.
I think the lead testing is a big deal where lead paint is a big problem.

[Anonymous]

I’ve never heard of that. They don’t do it in Canada. If you have to have it done, then I’d take her to a children’s lab and get them to do it. It’s still unpleasant (we’ve had it done a few times with Hailey) but at least they know all the tricks that can be done to try to find a vein. Sorry that it was so painful for her.

[Anonymous]

A lead test is required only if your house was built before 1978 due to the lead paint usage. They are trying to make it a mandatory law to get every child lead tested before the age of 6, but that has not been in effect yet. The finger prick is much less painful but they do have to squeeze and squeeze to fill a mini vial of blood, many doctors offices do not do this since by the time the vial is filled the blood has clotted and the lab cannot run the specimen so they have to call the parents to come back in for an venous blood draw. We have had Taylor’s blood draw quite a few times and she has horrible veins as well, we go to the hospital (which has a peds floor, so I know they do routine draws on little ones) for the draw since they are much more experienced and they also have the Vein light if needed they typically only use it for insertions of IVs but sometimes if it is a really hard stick they will use it. And definitely as mentioned make sure they use a butterfly needle, which is what they should use on all kids!

[Anonymous]

Sue..when the dr was trying to take her blood, he had 3!! viles ready to fill. Does that make sense?? I thought I was going to faint when I saw so many.

[Anonymous]

OH, and in NY, they check for anemia as well (along with lead).

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