For those of you who vaccinate - would you try to sedate your extremely sensitive spectrum kid?

[Michelle Renee]

Just a quick post.

It is time for us to catch our 4 year old DD up on some her vaccines. I am comfortable with that decision. Our daughter is on the spectrum, extremely anxious, and perseverates often. She is easily traumatized by things that make no sense to your average person. In the past for bigger medical things -GI scope, stitches, dental work - we have successfully and safely used "versed" to ease the trauma and reduce the intensity of her memories of the experience.

She still reacts fully and screams her head off but she does not remember screaming her head off.

I am concerned about her not telling us when she is ill because her fear will be getting a shot, etc.

How nuts am I to try for this?

[KCMichigan]

I would use ELMA (sp?) cream instead of sedation.

It is a numbing cream....we have used it for my DD w/ sensory needs. It will make the vaccinations painless (physically).

Our nurse distracted DD and another nurse gave the shot, she never saw it coming and/or was fine after the first few and knew what to expect (a band aid).

DD had to have weekly allergy shots....I could not sedate her weekly!! This cream is great- put on, wait 15 or so minutes...no pain. It can be used for blood draws, shots, etc.

It lowered the trauma of shots for us and was easy to do!

[Michelle Renee]

I have used it before for splinter removal with her :P

Hmm
Ill think about it.

Distracting her would be the issue -she is little miss observant

[bri276]

I would.

[confustication]

We are going to try EMLA with our two year old for a blood draw tomorrow. The first attempt on Monday was absolutely horrific, so I'm hoping this is a little better...

[Zan&Zav]

my son hs autism, and the sensory issues that go along with it, and the ELMA was a huge mistake for us. The numbing feeling freaked him out and now even putting sunscreen on him is a huge ordeal. He is terrified of any kind of cream now. Wanted to throw that out there just in case, the sensory stuff i find is hard to predict what is going to set them off.

[marimara]

Where do I get this ELMA cream? My 4yo has to get shots next week, I don't have time to order it online. Thanks!

[AbbieB]

I do not think you are crazy for thinking this at all. I would request both the Versed and the numbing cream and see how the doc responds.

Another idea, can you delay the vaxes until she will be sedated for something else?

The fear of a thing is almost always worse than the thing itself. I am all about helping our little ones avoid the fear.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by AbbieB

I do not think you are crazy for thinking this at all.

same here. My DD is also ASD, but is sensory seeking when it comes to shots and bloods draws. She likes them.

I think that whatever makes this easier for your DD is fine, even if someone who doesn't have a sn child and cannot possibly relate would disapprove.

[confustication]

The EMLA worked great for our blood draw. He still was scared of being restrained, but when he realized it didn't hurt he was much less distressed!

You get it with a prescription.

[starlein26]

How about nitrous oxide? Would she freak out about having to use a mask to inhale some? I'm not sure how readily available this would be at a pediatric practice though? My son has used it several times with great results (once before a dental appt. and several times prior to receiving IV anesthesia for an MRI).

[Kristine233]

The cream sounds awesome, that'd be my suggestion to try. I'd avoid sedation if at all possible. My oldest has to be restrained by 4 adults for pretty much everything, shots, blood draws etc. When she had her surgery in July they gave her the gas prior to doing anything because of her fear of needles. Otherwise they wouldn't have been able to do her IV. I may have to ask about the cream next time.

[Logan's Mom]

We give my son MB12 shots twice a week. We use the cream too. We found a video http://www.drneubrander.com/pageExample.html, showed my son and they called it "cooley cream". So, that is what we call it too. It works really well and he still is more freaked out about the thoughts of the shot vs any pain. He doesn't even know when it goes in.

Best of luck to you!