Stacy...or anyone else (UPDATED)

[jillgibson]

I need some help here. Since being in the hospital, Avery has been fighting some of her treatments. She was really good up until this hospitalization, but I think seeing other kids fight them gave her the ides. She doesn't fight everytime, but it has been about 50% of the time. Part of it I attribute to being tired of being messed with and the other part and the other part I attribute to her age.
I try to give her what choices I can in her treatments, but it is pretty limited. I let her pick out which mask (but if she isn't cooperating she usually won't), I ask if she wants it now or in 5 minutes, she picks out where to sit, and what show to watch (yeah TIVO!). Either we are 100% on the same team or I end up strong arming her through the entire treatment.
It's unfortunate that she isn't quite at the age of reason yet. She doesn't understand that it is going to happen no matter what. She also doesn't understand that it is necessary to keep her healthy.
I do explain things to her everytime and tell her these things, but she hasn't "got it" yet.
Do you have any suggestions to make it easier on us?
Our treatments are about 35 minutes twice a day, so it can turn into quite the battle.

Avery's treatments are long because of what she is on. The .5 of Pulmicort is quick (about 5 minutes), but she is also on 3 ML of Mucomist (which is a higher than average dose) and .3 CCs of Albuterol and since that is so much medicine (nearly fills the cup) it just takes a while to get it all done. Then, she also has the chest poundings which take about 10 minutes. If we were just on Pulmicort, we wouldn't have much of an issue.

[monicag]

I had to do this with Jesse from 5 weeks old to 2 years old.... We finally got in a pattern. A toy was the best distractor but didn't always work. TV was also good. Sometimes I just had to let him cry through it....I figured he breathed deeper that way. Hope you find something that works.

[tarak]

When my little ones get albuterol breathing treatments they sit in a spot on the couch with me, I hold the mask and turn on a Baby Einstein or whatever will hold their attention. I have to have it loud because the machine is sooo loud, but heck, whatever works! When they were little little I had an extra car seat in the house (the toddler kind with the harness, not the infant seat). I'd buckle them in then I could tackle holding on the mask and not have to tackle the entire kid at the same time! (While watching a movie or whatever.) I doubt it is an option for you, but we were able to not have the mask and just hold the "hose" thinger by their mouth.

[sahillma]

Jill - just out of curiosity, what are you giving her that is taking 35 minutes? When we have to double up on Mitchells treatments (pulimcort & xopenex) it takes no longer than 15 minutes. I do know that hen we were giving him 2 of the .5 pulmicorts & xopenex at once it was taking almost 25 minutes, but 35 seems like a LONG time for an almost 2 year old to sit!

Our doc told us that a single ampule of pulimicort should take no longer than 7 minutes in a properly working nebulizer. We've burned through 3 of them so far, but since the insurance pays for them I get a new one as soon as treatments seem to be taking more than 20 minutes.

As far as getting Avery to sit still / not fight you about the treatments... not sure there is a cure-ll for this. MItchell has been getting daily treatments since he was 10 months old - he is now 4. We've still have bad days where he cries about not wanting to sit for his treatments and its a huge struggle. Its harder when they are little because they just don't get it.

We've just stuck with a routine. After breakfast he picks a movie/tv show and we sit on the couch and start the treatment. I usually let him help me squeeze the meds into the cup as he seems to get a kick out of it. Over the last year he's gotten to teh point where if he's not feeling well he'll come ask for a treatment (and sure enough if I listen to his chest he's usually wheezing).

Ok, so I haven't really answered your question - but hang in there. She'll eventually realize that the treatments are helping her and the struggles will lessen. You've probably already done this, but you can sign up for free stuff at everydaykids.com We get stickers, calenders, coloring things and what not every so often in the mail.

I hope Avery continues to do better.

Sally

[wuvmyangel93]

Jill

I have to admit 35 mins. is an awful long time and I question mixing the medications, did your dr. tell you to do this.

Pulmicort and albuterol together will burn to a small child, albuterol is very very strong tasting and does burn or feel like it is burning the throats of many small children.

Xoponex is the same as albuterol, but is the newer drug and used most often in young children.

The noise of the nebulizer after that long might be bothering her, she may not like the mask for that long etc.

If you can get a portable nebulizer, but make sure it is one you can use pulmicort in.

I too used the carseat on occasion when mine was super small.

I do try to be very consistent on the time medication is given, have her do it right after the same item everyday for us its right after breakfast, night one is usually 1 hour after doing, after she reads a certain number of pages.

She doesn't tell time very well yet so we have to do it this way.

Pulmicort and xoponex takes 25 mins. and that is tough on my 11 year old.

I would allow her to practice with the dolls, save the empty vials and let her practice giving them a treatment.

Ages 2 to about 30 months was the worst for us also.