DENTAL:IV Sedation/22mo.old/Support Please

[aimeemac]

hi.
my 22 month old is scheduled for IV sedation in October to repair her molars (they didn't form correctly...have deep grooves and have started to form cavities).

we have chosen the IV sedation for several reasons. my 3 yr. old son had a similar procedure done several months ago and had no problems. we like the dentist and anesthesiologist (they have worked together for 20 years and are very experienced). my dd experienced an emotional trauma with stitches in her forehead (she ran into the corner of a wall and needed 6 stitches in april). they used the papoose board to put the stitches in. we thought the stitches would dissolve, but they didn't, so it required holding her down to remove the rest! for months afterward, she didn't want to go in the stroller or carseat (didn't liked to be strapped down). so, we think the iv sedation will not cause her further emotional pain.

i guess i am just a bit nervous because she is my "baby" and i am a nervous nilly about EVERYTHING! and she can sense this. i plan on giving her rescue remedy or young's peace and calming before hand and afterwards.

has anyone had similar experience?

and has anyone used the RR or peace and calming before such a procedure?

i am interested in holistic energy healing for my nervous tension, anyone know where i could get information?
i
know in my heart that this needs to be taken care of....and this is the best way, but just a little nervous, as anyone would be. i am a great worry wart!

thanks, aimee

[hippiemom]

My son had 2 teeth repaired/pulled when he was just about your daughter's age, and had general anesthesia for it at the hospital. This was due to his young age and the nature of the procedure. Personally I was comforted by having it at the hospital. (The dentist brought his own dental nurses in to assist.) He explained that b/c my son was so young and small, it was better to give him the meds at the hospital instead of the dentist's office in case there were any reactions or complications. The anesthesia was very light as those things go, and wore of quickly afterward. He went in at about 7:30 am. By 11:30 we were back home and he was playing normally, feeling fine. It *was* nervewracking for me of course, but he handled it well. It is certainly preferable to strapping them down, etc. This was a way to get it all done with the least possible trauma to the child, and that is how it went. So, good luck to you, she will be fine!

As for you, bring along a support person for you to sit with during the procedure. My dentist told us that one of us could accompany my son into the ER and hold him until he was fully asleep. My hubby did this, and then came out and held me until my son came out! I suffer from general medical anxiety, so I understand your fear. It is hard to hand your babe over, so be prepared and bring someone along who can give you some tlc.

[amnesiac]

My dd did have IV sedation when she had to get her lip stitched. It wasn't bad for her. I did request that they apply EMLA to her IV start site, so you may want to ask ahead about that. Also, you might find out ahead of time what medications they plan to use so you can look them up & know what their potential side effects are. Try to be as calm for her as you can because kids really do pick up on that & it will freak her out if she knows you are freaked out.

I have never used any of the products you mention, but I have/do use this for myself & the kids:
http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/3...lemon-balm.htm

[aimeemac]

thanks for your responses!

yeah, our dentist has another dentist assist, as well as a nurse and the anesthesiologist. the office is around the corner from the hospital. they use the minimal amount of anesthesia, the procedure should only take 20 minutes, fill one cavity (small) and seal her other molars, unless the x-rays show her other molars to have cavities as well. so, if all goes well, we get there at 7:30 and should be on our way by 8:30 or 9:00.

i did research the drugs when my son had a similar procedure done and know the side effects, mainly respiratory distress. my son was under for several hours and did just fine.

i get to be with my daughter the WHOLE time! so, that is wonderful. my husband and son will be there, too.

you would think since i went through it a few months w/ my son, i would be a little less nervous. i guess i am less nervous, but it would be weird if i wasn't a bit nervous? also, with my son we had the procedure done within a week of scheduling it (so didn't have so much time to think and boy does my mind think!), this time with my dd she will have it done in 3 weeks.

thanks for the reassurance! you guys are great.

ps: i will look into the lemon balm.

[SoHappy]

Oh, boy, I really wish we still had SmileMomma here. She was so awesome. She had some excellent advice on this subject, but I can't get my dang brain to remember what she said!!

Malamama, Simonee, where are you? Your brains seem to retain things better than mine.

[aimeemac]

hi amnesiac, what is EMLA?

[amnesiac]

It's a topical anesthetic cream that is applied to the spot where they will start the IV- it numbs the area so the actual IV start doesn't hurt. It's a mixture of lidocaine & prilocaine.

http://www.emla-us.com/facts/

[aimeemac]

thank you, i will look into it.