Home
Log in / Sign Up
    Private Messages   Advanced Search   Rules   New User Guide   FAQ   Advertise   Contact Us  
Forum -> Children's Health
My 13 year old ds to undergo a colonoscopy...



Post new topic   Reply to topic View latest: 24h 48h 72h

Cheshire cat




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 1:26 pm
He is not a model patient at all. He cries (screams!) when he gets a shot, rolls on the floor and moans when he has a headache, etc. He dramatizes things in his own head, and gets terrified out of his mind whenever medical intervention is needed.

So, he is having an endoscopy/ colonoscopy next week, and I would appreciate any advice or insight you can share.

I am nervous about the prep, worried about how he will deal with the anesthesia... it will be tough.

Thanks!
Back to top

amother
Forestgreen


 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 1:44 pm
My son had both when he was 8. Prep is the worst part if I remember correctly. Lots of bribes Smile Hatzlacha!
Back to top

anonymrs




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 2:23 pm
Oy I feel for you and him too. It's difficult and definitely frightening, even for a 13 yr old. The best trick I've learned over the years is to ask for them to give him zofran in his IV line before he wakes up. And if he's a candidate for it, a dose of steroids too. It will help him feel better and recover from anesthesia more easily. This is not easy to watch a child go thru. Hugs to you! Hatzlacha!
Back to top

amother
Mauve


 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 3:07 pm
Chai Lifeline helps kids with chronic conditions. Maybe they can be of help. Hatzlacha!
Back to top

amother
Coffee


 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 3:18 pm
My dd who is 10 just did her second one (first at 7)
She is a major drama queen.
Are you using a pediatric hospital - they are typically amazing at dealing with kids. It’s the only place my dd doesn’t throw a fit when getting needles.

For the day of these foods work well:
Strained chicken soup - lunch, supper, snack
Make sure to buy Gatorade flavors he likes for the prep
Fun lollipops
Ice pops
Jello

We stated prep 2 hrs early bec my dd is slow at drininking. Spread out the drinking. When she does too much at one shot she gets nauseous. So if it’s 6 cups of Gatorade figure one every 40 min or so.

If does get nauseous try a shower to clear his head.

Get an activity or movie that can keep him busy. We did paint by number and it’s great to pass the time.

I’ve read to have wipes or spray if he gets uncomfortable but my dd was really ok in that regard.

In the hospital they will insert a port for the iv. That should be the only actual needle. They will use the port for blood work and to put him to sleep.

After he should feel fine. They say tovtake it easy but my dd went back to a regular day after.

Bring nourishing food for the way home bec he may be hungry. But nothing too heavy.

Are they making you quarantine in advance due to covid? My dd thought that was worse then the test.

Hatzlacha. And I hope you get some answer.
Back to top

Cheshire cat




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 3:19 pm
Thank you very much.

I appreciate your advice and your wishes.

Anonymrs, just wondering, how would the steroids help?
Back to top

amother
Orchid


 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 3:20 pm
2 ideas:

1. Can the Dr recommend a child life specialist who can help your child prepare for it and cope with it? If the Dr is part of a hospital system, they usually have these therapists on staff

2. Can the Dr prescribe an anti anxiety med for the morning of the procedure, so at least he will be calm until he is out to sleep?
Back to top

Cheshire cat




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 3:22 pm
Coffee,
Thank you!

Your post is very helpful.
Back to top

amother
Coffee


 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 3:23 pm
Do you think your son over deals with pain bec he is afraid how bad it can get.
I find my dd does that and in general we are working on dealing with typical life pain with appropriate response and not Over reacting.
Back to top

mommy12




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 3:33 pm
I've been getting them every year for almost twenty years. Follow the guidelines the doctor gives, especially regarding not having liquids of certain colors. I was very excited when I learned slurpees were allowed. Coke slurpee became my pre colonoscopy treat! (Except for the one I'm having this week, don't want to drag all my kids into 7-11 this year and my husband in working the day of the prep). The prep drink was always the hardest part for me. I found it easier to drink using a straw and chilled. Depending on the type of prep given, some take effect right away and others take awhile. I used to drink the prep and then have a cup of coke immediately after to get rid of the taste.

One of my son's needed surgery a couple years ago. He hates medical things, has a phobia of needles and I was expecting the worst. They were incredibly gentle with him. They explained everything ahead of time and he was very calm and relaxed with them. I was so impressed.

Hatzlacha!
Back to top

amother
Yellow


 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 3:35 pm
I heard a gastroenterologist recommend for kids the method he called "slow and tasty".
Start limiting heavy foods for several days before the test and increase the Gatorade/ clear liquids. This will leave less to clean out the day before the test.
Back to top

FranticFrummie




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 4:54 pm
When DD had her tonsils out, the anesthesiologist gave her the sedative gas first, and then once she was under they put the IV line in. It was SO much better that way!

Seattle Children's Hospital is amazing. Everyone was so gentle and understanding.
Back to top

amother
Mauve


 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 4:56 pm
Have you had a colonoscopy yet? I don't know if the prep has got easier but it's NOT painful. Yucky, but not painful. The colonoscopy itself isn't painful. Ds (teen) said as he was coming out, it felt like Purim. Then he was alert enough to look around to see if anyone heard, lol.
Back to top

amother
Coffee


 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 5:10 pm
FranticFrummie wrote:
When DD had her tonsils out, the anesthesiologist gave her the sedative gas first, and then once she was under they put the IV line in. It was SO much better that way!

Seattle Children's Hospital is amazing. Everyone was so gentle and understanding.


We’ve done both. The colonoscopy is different because they need an IV long before the procedure So that is while still awake. And the ‘sleeping potion’ is a ‘shot’ in the IV line so kid doesn’t even realize it.

One thing DH and I both wish we were warned is that once getting the shot dd ‘passed out’ in an instant. It was pretty scary to see without warning the first time. Like she went from verbal to asleep in a second with no drowsiness.
Back to top

anonymrs




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 5:40 pm
amother [ Coffee ] wrote:
We’ve done both. The colonoscopy is different because they need an IV long before the procedure So that is while still awake. And the ‘sleeping potion’ is a ‘shot’ in the IV line so kid doesn’t even realize it.

One thing DH and I both wish we were warned is that once getting the shot dd ‘passed out’ in an instant. It was pretty scary to see without warning the first time. Like she went from verbal to asleep in a second with no drowsiness.


When my child had a colonoscopy, they put dc out with gas and then put in the IV line.

I'm not sure how or why the steroid works, but somehow helps with nausea and recovery.
Back to top

Cheshire cat




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 9:15 pm
Just so you know, I'm reading each post, and I find them incredibly helpful.

I appreciate it very much.
Back to top

amother
Sapphire


 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 9:31 pm
Ok, sort but my first advice is to change your attitude. You say that he is "not a model patient". He is a child and he is SCARED. A little bit of empathy and validation will go a long way.
Second, unlike the others who posted here, I did find mine painful. It felt like labor pains. So don't make any promises in this regard.
Back to top

amother
Plum


 

Post Tue, Jul 07 2020, 9:43 pm
My DH has had to undergo many colonoscopies (Crohn's disease). One of the things they don't warn you about before is the gas pain you will have when you wake up from the procedure. Bear in mind he will likely have pain and should feel comfortable passing gas right there in the recovery room until he feels the pressure/pain go down.

The prep itself sucks but it's not worth it to skimp on it! Make sure that what is coming out of his behind is liquid, the color of the drink he had and not much else. I remember by one of DHs colonoscopies, the doctor went into the patient next to us (separated by curtains) and told her that they were unable to visualize anything because she had not cleaned out well inside. That's the worst thing you can hear after all of that! So make sure he does it, no matter how long he has to sit on the toilet. My DH drinks his drink right there in our bathroom and stays there for hours.
Back to top

amother
Coffee


 

Post Wed, Jul 08 2020, 7:22 am
But don’t worry too much if bowel doesn’t look correct if you do the prep correctly.
The most recent time dd did prep 100% but she was still having dark colored bowels. I was nervous that maybe I messed up the prep. (I spent all night googling and was convinced they wouldn’t do the procedure) But the nurse said it was fine as long as we followed the instructions.
In the end they said it was perfect so I guess it doesn’t always have to run clear.
Back to top
Page 1 of 1 Recent Topics




Post new topic   Reply to topic    Forum -> Children's Health

Related Topics Replies Last Post
Birthday gift one year old
by dbg
2 Today at 1:11 am View last post
Affordable 3 year old girls clothes
by amother
4 Today at 12:46 am View last post
[ Poll ] S/o of $40k is $150k a year enough to get by?
by amother
31 Yesterday at 6:40 pm View last post
Smelly feet - 10 year old girl
by amother
4 Wed, Mar 27 2024, 9:45 pm View last post
10 year old isn't emotionally regulated
by amother
23 Tue, Mar 26 2024, 2:47 pm View last post
by keym