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View Full Version : 9-month old needs CT scan... what to expect?



missym
12-10-2003, 09:08 AM
I've posted before about Gwen's small head size. The ped has been watching her head growth closely and is just not happy with it. He wants us to have a CT scan to rule out premature suture closure. She will have to be sedated for the procedure. We agree that the risk of not catching a serious medical problem outweighs the risk of the sedation, but I am pretty freaked out.

We've asked for a neonatal specialist to insert the IV, but I cry just thinking about it. If anyone has had this done and can tell me what to expect, I'd appreciate it. Should I be in the room while they insert the IV if I can't control my crying? I want to be there to comfort her but I don't want to scare her by my reaction. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Missy, mom to Gwen 03/03

McQ
12-10-2003, 09:18 AM
Sorry I don't have any advice or suggestions, just big hugs. I'm sure if you're frantic that would upset her. But streams of tears from you probably wouldn't be so bad. I'm sure it will be nice for her to hear mommy's voice. If not, can your DH handle it?

Allison
~ mommy to Declan 3.24.03

Calmegja2
12-10-2003, 09:21 AM
My then 2 year old had to have a head CT, and she was not required to be sedated. We were told to give the age appropriate dosage of Benadryl, and that worked well for what they needed (we were ruling out trauma or tumor to the head, because her eye problem had a rapid onset).

They let us in the room with her, prior to the scan, and they had the machine all ready for her, with heated blankets. We carried her in, we stood there to reassure her. They let us help with the straps for her head, and we wore shields while the scan occurred. I stood there, and sang to her the entire time. She stayed remarkably calm, and was a little drowsy, but she was a trooper, and never said anything about it afterwards....

Our pediatrician was wonderful with her, and she even came down to the hospital to be there duringthe scan, both to glance at the results, but to reasuure our daughter.

NEVE and TRISTAN
12-10-2003, 10:13 AM
I have no advice, but just wanted you to know we ar thinking about you...and I hope you'll keep us posted!!!
Hugs your way!!!
Neve
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

drsweetie
12-10-2003, 10:28 AM
Missy -- Gwen will probably feel better with you there. Maybe you could be facing away from where they'll be putting in the IV (e.g., if they put it in her left arm, you're sitting at her right arm looking at her face and singing to her or waving a favorite toy in front of her and most definitely NOT looking at her left arm). She'll probably cry, but you can think to yourself "It's just like a shot", and maybe that would help make you feel a little better. It's hard to watch people do uncomfortable medical procedures to your baby, but you're being a great mom for wanting Gwen to be as comfortable as possible (and for wanting to get this head size thing checked out). When Laura had heart surgery earlier this summer, I watched them put IVs in her scalp (ew!) and it was awful, but I just kept reminding myself that it was for her benefit, and that helped me keep my cool. Good luck!

Ellen
Mom to Laura 6/9/03

amp
12-10-2003, 10:54 AM
Missy - I'm so sorry you and Gwen and DH are going through this. You must be so worried! I think you are selling yourself short. Of course you are terrified and saddened about having to sedate her! But that doesn't mean that you won't be able to be with her. Tears are okay and you may even fall apart at some point, but I think when your little girl needs you, you'll be able to handle it. Your a mom and you'll do whatever you have to to support your baby! Please have more faith in yourself. And if you cry, that's okay too. Hang in there, and hugs to all of you.

MommytoDylan
12-10-2003, 01:26 PM
Missy,

My DS had a CT scan when he was two weeks old. It was a difficult day for DH and I but the procedure was over very quickly. I agree that your daughter will greatly benefit from having you there holding her as much as you can. It is amazing how strong we mommies can be when we have to...I think you'll be surprised at your strength in the midst of it. I will be praying for you! Please let us know how it goes.

Meredith

starrynight
12-10-2003, 02:27 PM
*hugs* and thoughts for youe and Gwen. I have no advice as I haven't been there myself but I wanted to give you some support at least. Update us when you can!

MamaKath
12-10-2003, 07:12 PM
Missy, no advice, but big hugs for you, Gwen and Dh through this! Hope all goes smoothly, and keep us updated.

marinkitty
12-10-2003, 08:24 PM
Missy -

Mia had a CT scan when she was 6 months old. It was worse on DH and me than on her I think! She didn't have to have an IV though, they just did an oral sedative in some pedialyte and she went to sleep. If the CT being done on your daughter doesn't require "contrast" (i.e., dye injected into her veins), ask why they have to do an IV? The oral is so much less invasive and so much less scary for the parents too! I held Mia as she drifted off to sleep, we stood in the room with her while the scan was being done, and I lifted her off the board and right away after the test and until she woke up. She was a bit groggy and out of sorts that night but that was it. All in all it wasn't fun, but luckily there was nothing wrong so in the end it was worth the peace of mind.

Hope that all goes well for you and that it isn't premature fusing.

Holly
Mom to Mia (3.17.03)

sntm
12-11-2003, 09:42 AM
everybody's given great advice. you can always hold her while they put the iv in so if you cry your face is behind her. having you there either way will be a great comfort to her -- sometimes the scariest thing is being taken away from her parents by strangers in a weird cold room. they may be able to pipe in some music, so see if you can bring some or at least do the radio. CTs are pretty quick, so hopefully it won't take too long.

hopeing for the best for both of you! i think you'll be surprised by how well you both do.

shannon
not-even-pregnant-yet-overachiever
trying-to-conceive :)
PREGNANT! EDD 6/9/03
mama to Jack 6/6/03

lizajane
12-11-2003, 10:34 AM
we had to have x-rays at 6 months for the same reason. they wanted us to get CT, but we asked for the x-ray first. if it was inconclusive, we would have gone for a CT. but the x-ray showed that he was a-ok.

so i empathize. i know it is really scary. and i do actually know someone (who is an adult now) who did have premature closure of sutures. he had the surgery and he is FINE and he looks FINE.

i am sorry you have to go through this test and this worry!

missym
12-11-2003, 01:01 PM
Thanks everyone for your calming words and support. I'm starting to calm down a bit and agree that it is best for Gwen for both of us to be there, tears or not. I like the idea of us being able to be in the room with her when the scan is performed and will ask about that.

The test is scheduled for Dec. 23. So all I want for Christmas is a good result!

Thanks again,
Missy, mom to Gwen 03/03

kaismom
12-11-2003, 04:13 PM
Hi Missy,

DD (Kirsten) had an MRI done at around 12 months, but for the opposite reason (big head, small body). She turned out to be fine and big heads just run in the family, we assume due to all the brains :) .

Anyway, she also had an IV inserted but before the procedure they put a numbing cream on her arm so she didn't feel anything. The anesthetic was fast acting and she was quickly asleep. After the procedure she woke up quickly and didn't seem to be traumatized. Of course now she has no memory of the procedure. I think using the numbing cream is standard procedure these days but you could ask about it in advance just to be sure.

Best of luck, should go well since it will take place on Kirsten and Stefan's birthday :+ .

Let us know how it went,

sntm
12-11-2003, 04:15 PM
It's called EMLA cream (pronounce it em-la, not E-M-L-A)
Pretty standard but doesn't hurt to ask!


shannon
not-even-pregnant-yet-overachiever
trying-to-conceive :)
PREGNANT! EDD 6/9/03
mama to Jack 6/6/03

missym
12-24-2003, 11:12 AM
Thanks again everyone for your advice. Gwen's CT scan went very well. Since we had to get there 2 hours before the scheduled sedation, the staff suggested that we try it with her awake first, and she did fine! DH and I were able to be right with her through the whole thing, and she barely fussed. She was fascinated enough by the lights that she held still during the scan itself. It took maybe 5 minutes total.

We should get the test results next week. Any extra prayers would be appreciated!

Missy, mom to Gwen 03/03

COElizabeth
12-24-2003, 11:58 AM
That's great that it went so smoothly! Please let us know the results - I hope everything is just fine!

Elizabeth, Mom to James, 9-20-02

MommytoDylan
12-24-2003, 12:03 PM
Missy,

Thanks for the update! I'm praying with you for great results!

Love,
Meredith

Sarah1
12-24-2003, 01:12 PM
Missy,

I'm glad it went so well. I know you are relieved it's over but I'm sure you're still anxious about the results. Try to occupy your thoughts with something else, if you can, and keep us updated! I'll be thinking about you.

NEVE and TRISTAN
12-24-2003, 03:00 PM
All of our prayers are heading your way!!!
I am so glad that Gwen did well during the test!!!
We're thinking of you!!!
Neve
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

jojo2324
12-24-2003, 04:57 PM
Missy, I'm so glad the scan went well! Thinking of you guys...please let us know the results as soon as you get them back! Big hugs!

amp
12-26-2003, 09:12 AM
Missy - That's great news! So glad it went smoothly for all of you. Will say a prayer and cross my fingers and hope madly that everything turns out well for little Gwen! What a trooper she is!