Who's kids have had CAT scans w/ sedation?

[admin]

our daughter just had an MRI with sedation. She was given a drink called chloral hydrate or something like that. We were not allowed to stay with our child, I had metal in my back anyway, but there were several nurses by her side. It took roughly a half hour. If your child has had sugery it is a good idea to make sure they scan both arms so that they can compare to what it should look like. We have to go back and do it all over again because they only did one side and didn't know what the mod quad would turn up like on film.

[francine]

Hi..

Before her caps surgery - Maia had an MRI and CT scan.

She was sedated 1/2 hour before the MRI with chlorohydrate. It tasted really bad and Maia would not take it no matter what - not even alternating with a lollipop. So they had to give it to her as an enema (which was just horrible - made Maia SO MAD!) The drug made Maia fitful - she was all over the place - I had to hold her down. She was trying to bang her head against the wall a lot. And then she was out like a light. I was able to go in with her for the MRI - which lasted about 2 hours because they had to do it 2 times. She was breathing very heavily and it messed up the scans so they started it over. They put her on the board, put her arms on her belly just folded over and wrapped her in a sheet and then with velcro (very wide) belts. The technicians monitored her from the next room - constantly watching through the window. I sat in the MRI room and read some magazines - it was VERY loud. Maia remained asleep and inside the 'tube' for the whole time.

Then we brought her to the CT scan room which looked much less scary than the MRI. It was just the flatbed and a donut shaped machine that her body passed through. Maia woke up for the CT scan but they had her really tied down in this one. I just stayed very close to her and tried to get her to calm with my voice. They also played music and had hanging mobiles everywhere. This test only took about 5 minutes in total but the setup took the longest - we were probably in there for about 30 or more minutes.

Maia was fully awake by the time the CT scan was done. With this scan, if she moved, they could just redo the 'slice' she moved through and not the whole series.

The MRI showed soft tissue issues (atrophy). The CT scan showed structural issues (her posterior dislocation).

Maia was completely off the wall coming out of this and she slept in the car. It took until the next day for her to 'come back'.

There it is - hope the details are helpful,
francine


PS - if you are goin got get IV sedation - then ask about EMLA - it's a numbing cream so that the IV insertion won't hurt. It takes one hour to work - so it has to be talked about in advance - extra time needed.

[admin]

Hello, my daughter Machera has had several MRI's and CAT skans and she was never sedated for the CAT scans, but with the MRI's she was usually sedated by drugs through an IV. Afterwards, she'd be so weak that for the rest of the day she couldn't even sit up alone more less do anything else! I totally agree with Fran about the CAT scan equipment being less scary than the MRI machine. Either way, sedating your child is scary so just try to stay strong and remember it will be over soon! Prayers to your family! Joni Sandoval

[TNT1999]

Jennifer, I think most of the answers to your ?s vary with the hospital's procedures where you go. I would recommend calling a couple different hospitals in your area and asking them these ?s and deciding where you want to have it done. Nicole never had a CT scan, but she did have 2 MRIs done. The latest one was about a year ago and she was 22 months at the time. They gave Nicole and oral sedative (which she drank with no problem) and I rocked her a bit then put her in the bed to fall asleep. She was sleeping very soundly when the picked her up and brought her into the actual room where they do the scan. Troy and I both got to stay in the room with Nicole during the entire scan (30-45 minutes) and they gave us ear plugs. They also put them in Nicole's ears even though she was asleep. She was wrapped in a blanket and secured to the table which they then wheeled under the big machine. Another interesting idea that I've heard of is one parent staying in the room with the child and the other parent going back to where they take the films (if you're interested and if they let you do that). Remember not to wear anything metal. They'll prob. either have lockers or a room where you can put your belongings that contain metal. Don't carry a credit card in your pocket either. LOL! I felt that the test itself wasn't bad b/c Nicole was sleeping and it wasn't painful, but it was hard seeing her in such an "unnatural" sleep if you know what I mean. Also, the hospital had a little booklet that was designed for children to help explain the process in simple terms and with pictures of what to expect. I would inquire about something like that too. Well, that's our experience based on an MRI, not a CT scan, and based on our local hospital.

I know that some hospitals require an IV rather than an oral sedative. Upon waking, there can be some rage as a reaction to the meds. I think it's very rare, but I have heard of it happening and it was when they used the IV for the sedation.

If you're having a CT Scan done, you might also want to consider the MRI or ask about it. I know that I read a paper by Dr. Waters indicating that the MRI is usually the most useful for under 5 y.o. and then the CT Scan is recommended for 5+. Just thought I'd share that info. with you. Keep us updated please. Take care. -Tina )

[tina arvizu]

Gabrielle (21 months)just had a MRI a few weeks ago. First an hour before I put EMLA cream on her hand. Then they gave her a little oral sedation. It just made her relax so they could get an IV in. We put her on the table and I sang to her while they put the IV in. It only took a minute and she was asleep. I had to leave and they came to get us when she was waking up. It took about an hour. Gabrielle does not do well with any needles so the key was the EMLA cream (thanks Francine) and the oral sedation before the IV. It was actually one of the easiest doctor visits we have ever had.