3.05.2009

Who Doesn't Love Drugs?

I suspect that Leelo's pediatrician thinks I'm drug seeking (and, to be fair, she has seen Leelo at his worst and so probably sympathizes with this imagined drug-seeking me).

I'm trying to figure out how to get Leelo all the shots, blood draws, and dental exams that he needs. I tend to let them stack up, because these scenarios requires a team of three-to-five people to hold him down, or (in the case of the dentistry) result in a cursory exam only. Leelo needs these procedures. And I need to figure out how to get them done without resorting to general anesthesia.

I called up Leelo's behavioral psychiatrist (the gentleman who prescribes his Risperdol) and was told that there are no contraindications between Risperdol and tranquilizers like valium or xanax, and that I could even get Leelo's pediatrician to prescribe them. So I left a message for his pediatrician, and received a call back saying that she wasn't really comfortable prescribing such things for Leelo. Which, again, is understandable. I probably wouldn't leave me in charge of a tranquilizer scrip, either.

But I'm still wondering how other violently non-compliant children and adults get through these routine procedures. I am tempted to call her back and ask if she would be comfortable giving him something in the office before the shot or exam, so that no prescription was involved, but feel that it would be better to have some anecdotal information as to what has worked for other kids like Leelo to give her, beforehand.

I am very interested in hearing what other people have tried.

After almost four weeks of fighting with various flus and colds, Leelo had what seemed to be a bout of sinus trouble this past weekend. It made him very unhappy. And his behavior deteriorated accordingly. Supervisor M said that she had more than enough data on Leelo's Risperdol experience, so we started giving Leelo Claritin at night, three nights ago. He's having a bit more trouble going to sleep at night on those three nights, but he also has been sleeping in to the point where *we* have to wake him up, and has had dry morning pullups for the first time in weeks. That's a rather marked correlation for a drug that's supposed to take up to two weeks to hit its stride. But Leelo does seem a bit better.

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8 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:22 AM

    I'm not in any medical field, but I'd rather give birth again than go through dental torture AWAKE. I currently take Klonopin to help me sleep at night, because of my miserable skin allergies (else I wake up bloody from scratching myself all night long) - and when I go to the dentist, I refuse to go unless I'll find a dental anesthesiologist who will knock me out or a dentist who will prescribe Halcion. I don't know of the drug interactions with what Leelo is currently taking, but that Halcion is God's Gift to Dental Torture!!! My kids' Godfather is a dentist, and he says it's one of those "awake but sleeping" drugs - because the dentist can wake me up when he's done without problems (though I do usually sleep it off the rest of the day). It may be something for you to check out with your doctor or research online about the drug interactions with what Leelo's currently taking.

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  2. Anonymous3:38 PM

    also not a dr. but the benzodiazepam (xanax, valium, klonopin) family reacts differently for everyone. most drs. use caution with them since they stay in the system for several hours and can produce widely varied results. I hope I am not being too naive by asking if you have tried a dose of benadryl before procedures?

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  3. I don't know what to recommend for the other appointments but have you looked for a dentist in the area that uses the GIFT of 'twilight sedation'? It's not usually covered by insurance, sadly, but it is the only only only way I got through the massive amount of dental work I needed following grinding my teeth to powder after Katrina. It does require an IV but seriously it takes SECONDS and then boom you're out until they wake you up. Is lovely, truly and something I hope you can get for your little guy.

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  4. We actually found a really good dentist who is now (after 6 years) able to do a pretty complete exam with only me and one assistant and not much physical restraint needed -- last time none. We've done anesthesia once for each kid when they needed it for tooth removal, and at the same time they did sealants, xrays and whatever else they possibly could while the kid was out. Then for the next couple of visits they did more cursory exams without too much unnecessary prodding, which served to get the boys more used to the dentist chair and not totally freaked out about being there. Email me for contact info, if interested.

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  5. I can only offer my experiences with taking my son for dental work-

    The first dentist I took him to (which I did not like), gave him Versed (Vur-said) and restrained him with a papoose board (sometimes called a "huggy board" with younger patients). The Versed didn't do much for Jaysen, and he screamed and fought the whole time. Very traumatic.

    The second dentist, sho also specializes in special needs kids, explained that drugging a child, especially a child with sensory issues, doesn't work because it freaks them out more. We're talking about kids who have issues anyway, so now on top of it, add the out-of-control dizzyish feeling, and you have one freaked out kid.

    The second dentist did use the papoose board on him- they lie on a board, their arms are velcroed to the board, and a velcro "blanket" is strapped across their chest and legs. There is also a head strap to immobilize their head. They will use a mouth jack to keep the mouth open. This was also very traumatic for the both of us, but the dentist was so good that we were in and out in 20 minutes.

    Currently, my son is able to sit for dental exams without the restraints, and without any other apparatus to assist. He does awesome now.

    Jaysen needed A LOT of dental work. He had a crown at age 4, and has so many fillings, I don't even know how many he actually has. Please don't hold off on getting him seen. :)

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  6. My thanks to everyone who wrote in, my sympathy for all the challenging experiences you've had and are still facing.

    GM Stace: Benadryl doesn't work for Leelo. And I appreciate the words of caution re: other drugs.

    Blood draws: I think we're just going to have to talk/muddle through. Perhaps now that he's on Risperdol it'll be easier.

    Leelo sees the dentist every six months. He has worked up tolerance for exams, but has still never had a proper cleaning or x-rays. I spoke to his dentist today, and she is going to give it one last shot before going the sedation (general anesthesia) route. She is clearing out her office - no other patients - for Leo's appointment. A complete gem.

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  7. We have to use general sedation for Little Man's dentist stuff, he won't even let the dentist walk in the room without flipping out. Sorry, I wish I had a magic answer. For his other stuff, blood draws and whatnot, Ativan is our calmer by choice. Doesn't make it perfect, but tolerable most times.

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  8. Anonymous2:36 PM

    twilight sedation uses IV valium - is that a possibility? and why won't the behavioral psychiatrist prescribe the benzos? I'm in the same boat, with only cursory dental exams having taken place ever (and not great compliance with teeth-brushing since Max has never learned to spit). also I'm about ready to consider sedation for flying just so we can have a family vacation. so let us know what happens!

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Respectful disagreement encouraged.