Sedation

[Janet]

Sick Kids hospital just called me and told me that somebody from the CT clinic will be calling me in the next couple of days to set up Fiona's scan.
She asked me if FIona is meeting all her milestones, her weight, if she snores at night, she told me the reason why she's asking me that is because of the sedation that they'll be giving her, then she told me the bad news...the usually cut-off time for oral sedation is 6 months and 22 pounds and that Fiona may need an IV :banghead , I'm not happy because Fiona also has to have blood work done that day. I'm freaking out!!!!!!http://www.craniokids.org/support/images/icons/icon9.gif

[MotheRing]

I'm sorry for Fiona. Maybe they won't have to sedate her.
Originally, I was told that Moses would be sedated. His appointment was at 11 so I wasn't able to feed him anything after 6 am. When we arrived for sedation, they told me they'd like to try the scan without sedation if I could get him to sleep naturally. It was tough because he was so hungry, but in the end, he slept through the scan without sedation. He sleeps on his stomach too, but they allow that.
Maybe ask if that's a possibility so Fiona won't have to be poked more than necessary. Hugs!

[cheryl2]

Clara also didn't need sedation for her first CT scan. She was 7 months. I was still breastfeeding, and was able to get her to sleep naturally. She has another CT scan at around 2 years old, and they gave her oral sedation, no IV. She was definitely over 6 months, and probably 26 pounds. I wonder why they have that policy. Good luck.

[Janet]

Fiona is such a light sleeper...she wakes up if the cat meows...and that's another thing...they told me I can't feed her for 8 hours!!! Fiona will not be happy...she still wakes up twice a night for a bottle!!! This SUCKS!!!!

[Jacksmum3]

Hi, I have a suggestion, over here they use gas then once they are asleep from the gas they then put in canular, so they can administer the anesthetic (sp?).
Then they could use this for bloods too.
This is what they do here, it has been mentioned to me several times about not using sedation due to craniosynosotosis children have trouble with breathing, due to airways not properly formed.
Hope it goes ok though. xx

[Jacksmum3]

Only just read that last one about the feeding, that seems a little too long. Just trying to remember. I think on Jacks Cts he's had done he was allowed milk at 4-5am, and water or watered down squash until about 1-2 hours before scan. Normally has scan around 11-12pm, so yes that is approx 8 hours. When you find out the time she is to go down you can then judge what time to give her last feed. So if around 12pm ish you could still feed her 12am then 4am, just means you will have to wake her if she don't wake first.
You will get around it though, just makesure DS, and DH don't eat around her. Lots of things to stimulate her too,in our Hospital they had a therapy room with lights and music and things in. That kept him happy for ages.
Goodluck tc Annmarie xx

[Janet]

I'm so confused...one person told me 4 hours, another one told me 6 and then today I was told 8 hours!!! Can yopu guys tell me how long you had to make your child fast if they needed sedation THANKS!!!!

[cheryl2]

I think she could have "clear liquids" or breast milk up to 4 hours before surgery. This was for the actual CVR, not the sedation. I can't remember how long it was for the CT scan when she was 2 years old. 8 hours seems too long for a baby.

[charliesmummy]

Hi Janet, Charlie had his scan a few weeks ago so it's still fresh in my mind. He had to be up and have had his breakfast by 7.30am but he could still have formular milk up until 9am. After that he was allowed to have water only up until 11.30am and then he had his scan at 2pm. We played with him in the play room at the hospital and he also had a little nap. Charlie was 10 months at the time of his scan and he was sedated with gas. It was very calm and easy. He sat on my lap with his dummy in his mouth and they put the mask over his face while i was holding him. Once he drifted off I put him on the table and left him. The put the canular in while he was asleep and also did the blood work. 20 mins later he was back with me and absolutely fine but hungry so i gave him his bottle straight away which really helped. I know it's worrying but Fiona will be fine xx

[Jennifer]

For Emily's first scan she was just 3 months, they didn't even suggest sedation, just had me nurse her to sleep and wrapped her in a blanket. For the second scan she was 19 months. They just gassed her with the mask. She was out less than 10 minutes. Recovery (she was a bit loopy) was about 30 minutes and then she was good to go. For that one, her appointment was at 10am. She was not supposed to eat for 6 hours, within the 6 hours she could have clear liquids upto 3 hours before the appointment. We just kept her distracted.....and took her to play areas she hadn't been too before the appointment-basically as soon as she woke up, we got her dressed and were out of the house keeping her busy.

[Janet]

Sick Kids just called and her appointment is July 25th at 8:00...they said that they want to do it sooner than later so she won't need the IV....THANK GOD!!!!
The only thing is the blood test...hopefully they can do it while she's still under.