MRI for child...HELP, WWYD?

[WeLoveLilo05]

Not sure where to begin, but i have posted on here before about DD (5) with her eating/constipation issues. We took her to a neurologist on Friday and explained her loss of appetite, taking her an hour to eat a meal, constipation issues, loss of weight, and her newly found tics that have developed as she eats (swallows). She also has had some behavioral changes.

The Neurologist ordered an MRI for Friday w/ and w/o the contrast. Yesterday all of the sudden DD is eating wonderfully and its not taking her an hour to eat either. She still has the tics though when she eats. Our ped. said (before we met w/ the neurologist) he would wait 3 weeks to see if tics are still there, sometimes kids go thru things like this and it could be anxiety about starting school. When we took her to the GI DR HE was the one who set us up to see the neurologist. Neurologist also did some standard tests and said everything seemed ok.

So now my question is....should I wait until a week after school starts (so not this Friday, but next friday) to see if the tics go away before even doing the MRI? I really don't want to put my baby through this, she will need to be sedated, I don't even know how to explain any of this to her. I am worried she will have some sort of reaction to med/contrast as she is so sensitive to things (is anaphalactic to peanuts, sensitive to almonds). I just wonder how come no one is testing her for a food allergy, that could cause a person to not want to eat. I also thought maybe something is going on with the throat/esophagus, maybe she is in pain while swallowing or something and does that tic to try to avoid the pain? Maybe she has an absorption problem w/ absorbing certain vitamins/minerals?

I really feel lost, upset, and I just don't know what to do. I feel so bad for my little one. What should I do? I haven't been able to sleep, I don't know how to explain this to her, I don't want her to go through this alone.

 

[Christine]

Your daughter has some serious issues (as stated by your last post). You went to a neurologist for help. I think you should follow his orders and have the test done.

I have a peanut/shellfish allergic child so I understand your concerns about the contrast but the stuff they use for an MRI is not the same as for a CT scan (which is highly allergenic).

I realize it's tough to put your child through these tests but you need to find out what is wrong.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I agree that the MRI should be done. And I don't know the procedures for a child getting an MRI, but I know when I have had them I have had to be awake to follow instructions.

 

[tiggger1]

Not sure where to begin, but i have posted on here before about DD (5) with her eating/constipation issues. We took her to a neurologist on Friday and explained her loss of appetite, taking her an hour to eat a meal, constipation issues, loss of weight, and her newly found tics that have developed as she eats (swallows). She also has had some behavioral changes.

The Neurologist ordered an MRI for Friday w/ and w/o the contrast. Yesterday all of the sudden DD is eating wonderfully and its not taking her an hour to eat either. She still has the tics though when she eats. Our ped. said (before we met w/ the neurologist) he would wait 3 weeks to see if tics are still there, sometimes kids go thru things like this and it could be anxiety about starting school. When we took her to the GI DR HE was the one who set us up to see the neurologist. Neurologist also did some standard tests and said everything seemed ok.

So now my question is....should I wait until a week after school starts (so not this Friday, but next friday) to see if the tics go away before even doing the MRI? I really don't want to put my baby through this, she will need to be sedated, I don't even know how to explain any of this to her. I am worried she will have some sort of reaction to med/contrast as she is so sensitive to things (is anaphalactic to peanuts, sensitive to almonds). I just wonder how come no one is testing her for a food allergy, that could cause a person to not want to eat. I also thought maybe something is going on with the throat/esophagus, maybe she is in pain while swallowing or something and does that tic to try to avoid the pain? Maybe she has an absorption problem w/ absorbing certain vitamins/minerals?

I really feel lost, upset, and I just don't know what to do. I feel so bad for my little one. What should I do? I haven't been able to sleep, I don't know how to explain this to her, I don't want her to go through this alone.

honestly I would just go to the MRI that is scheduled to rule out anything major. yes she will have to be sedated, just tell her that they are going to give her medicine to make her sleepy.. she is 5 not a toddler so she should understand what is going to happen. she will be fine

as for her allergies, I am sure a ton of people who have severe allergies have had MRI's with no issues just make sure you remind the MRI tech when you get there..

 

[treehugnmama]

i hear your pain by 8 months old my son had had 3 cat scans,mri,echo ekg and because of his age they wanted to sedate him...i was able to nurse him to sleep for some and avoid the sedation. He had brain surgery at 6 months, another sugery at 14 months. He turned 4 yesterday and he needs another surgery next month and a cat scan so I hear your pain but your little one needs it to be done....be strong as little ones pick up your anxiety....I shared my sons experience to show you how relliant children can be. If you met my son today you would never know he has been through anything. good luck and have the test done. I think it is harder on us then them.

the sedation they use is not the same as surgery and is much less invasive.

 

[tiggger1]

BTW I know how you feel!! when my dd was 4 she was having a ton of UTI's so they did a VCUG test which they had her lay on a xray table and cath'd her and filled her bladder with fluid and then take xray's when she urinated.. well try telling a 4 year old its ok to pee in front of 8 doctors.. she was crying hysterically and I was trying not to because i felt so bad..she finally went and that was the end of it.. she got a ton of stickers and was fine as we were leaving.. you would never know that she was hysterical 10 minutes before!

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

i hear your pain by 8 months old my son had had 3 cat scans,mri,echo ekg and because of his age they wanted to sedate him...i was able to nurse him to sleep for some and avoid the sedation. He had brain surgery at 6 months, another sugery at 14 months. He turned 4 yesterday and he needs another surgery next month and a cat scan so I hear your pain but your little one needs it to be done....be strong as little ones pick up your anxiety....I shared my sons experience to show you how relliant children can be. If you met my son today you would never know he has been through anything. good luck and have the test done. I think it is harder on us then them.

the sedation they use is not the same as surgery and is much less invasive.

Just wanted to offer you hugs
I hope your son is getting better, what a brave little guy.

 

[Hannathy]

If you know she is allergic to peanuts she HAS been tested for allergies.
At 5 she is old enough to tell you if it hurts to swallow so I would rule that one out.

You went to a specialist because no one could find out what was wrong, let them do their job. Have the MRI.

Tell her exactly what is happening, she isn't a baby. She is old enough to understand and cooperate. Tell her because of all the problems you have eating and going to the bathroom and the tics you must have this test done.
Tell her if she has to have an IV or an injection. tell her how it will be done and if she needs to lay still or in a "special machine" Do not sugar coat it and do not lie. Kids do better with the truth. If it will hurt (IV) tell her. Do not let her think she doesn't have to have it if she doesn't want it. Tell her it must be done and it will be done. You can promise a treat after if you want,

If you can not be with her when it is being done with out being upset then take her and let the staff be with her. If you are upset she will be to, and it will be 10 times worse for everyone.

I worked in an ER for years and also as a Diabetic educator with children. Kids handle these things usually much better than a lot of parents.
Could your DH take her because it sounds like you are very emotional and this will be passed onto her and she will feed off of it.

It comes down to do you trust the DR or not ? If you do then let them do their job to find out what is wrong with your DD.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

BTW I know how you feel!! when my dd was 4 she was having a ton of UTI's so they did a VCUG test which they had her lay on a xray table and cath'd her and filled her bladder with fluid and then take xray's when she urinated.. well try telling a 4 year old its ok to pee in front of 8 doctors.. she was crying hysterically and I was trying not to because i felt so bad..she finally went and that was the end of it.. she got a ton of stickers and was fine as we were leaving.. you would never know that she was hysterical 10 minutes before!

Aw, poor thing, I hope everything is ok.

 

[krcit]

My ds had an MRI on his brain when he was in 1st grade. I didn't over explain things,,,just told him he was going to have a test done and that they would give him medicine to make him sleepy and then when he woke up, we would be going home. He did fine, they gave him the IV right on the MRI table and he was out in seconds. I stayed in the room while he had the test and when it was over, I carried him to a recovery cubby, lol. He woke up and was very confused and seemed sort of drunk. That lasted a little while and then we took him home. By the time we got home, he was perfectly fine and starving.

Honestly, I would follow through with all of the Drs. even if your dd seems to be getting better. I hope they find nothing wrong but it will help to put your mind at ease to rule some things out. It's so scary when you don't know what's wrong. Please keep us posted.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I would also go ahead with the MRI. I've read your posts on all the difficulties your little DD has been having and how much trouble you're having getting a solid diagnosis. It sounds like you've found a doctor who is really trying to get to the bottom of things so I would follow through with whatever he wants to do. I hope you get some answers quickly!

 

[tiggger1]

Aw, poor thing, I hope everything is ok.

She is fine now thankfully. They said no reflux. We think it was because she was still partially in pullups. She is 7 now and now the problem is that she hate being wet "down there' and will constantly go back to wipe again.. she will wipe herself raw!

 

[Mkrop]

I would definitely follow through, you dont want to then have to wait again if something pops back up in a month.

Can you have the MRI done at CHOP? They will know best about handling children and how to put her at ease for getting it done. I would think they also would be pretty well informed on allergies and stuff with the dye.

GL. I hope this brings some answers or if it doesnt then you know you can cross it off your list and seek additional testing.

 

[DVCJones]

Another mom here who thinks you should go ahead with the MRI.

My DD now 7 and healthy needed to have her first MRI ant 6months old. I was afraid to put her through it for all the same reasons you have explained. However, it turned out to be lifesaving. She was diagnosed with neuroblastoma (cancer) and has since made a full recovery and is considered cured. If it was not for early detection....well, I don't even want to go there...

I'm not saying your DD will have anything as horrible as cancer. Just saying you could possibly find out the problem and end her suffering.

My DD has had 10 MRIs with sedation and she did very well every time. It has been two years since she has had one and doesn't even remember them.

I know it is scary and as moms we worry, but she will be fine with the MRI.

 

[Pikester]

I think that you should follow through with the MRI. My son had a CT scan to find out if there was a problem with the bones in his ears and in order to do that he needed to be sedated so that he would remain still. We were able to to go trough CHAD which is the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth (in Hanover, NH) and they were wonderful. They used a scented gas (he got to choose the flavor) to put him under before they inserted his IV so that he wouldn't feel the pinch and then did the scan. They showed him what the mask looked like and what they were going to do with it so he wouldn't be scared when they put it over his nose and mouth. Once they were finished with the scan they allowed me to be in the room while he was waking up from being sedated so that he would see me first.

 

[PrincessMomto2]

I also would have the test done. You want to make sure that there is no condition that is going undetected. It is better to have peace of mind then to not know. I know it is hard but in the long run it is the best thing to do. You have gotten some great advice from lots of other parents that were in the same situation. Hopefully that will help you feel less worried. As parents we would all rather go through any tests then to have our children go through them but unfortunately we can't. Sending you lots of hugs. Please keep us posted.

 

[kelleyrn2000]

If you choose to have the test done, please request a child life specialist to be present. It was a blessing to have one present when dd was going through lots of tests. The hospital can be a scary place for little ones at that age. Not all hospitals have a child life specialist, but I was willing to drive a ways to get to a hospital that had one. GL with your decision and hopefully you will get some answers.

 

[golfgal]

If you know she is allergic to peanuts she HAS been tested for allergies.
At 5 she is old enough to tell you if it hurts to swallow so I would rule that one out.

You went to a specialist because no one could find out what was wrong, let them do their job. Have the MRI.

Tell her exactly what is happening, she isn't a baby. She is old enough to understand and cooperate. Tell her because of all the problems you have eating and going to the bathroom and the tics you must have this test done.
Tell her if she has to have an IV or an injection. tell her how it will be done and if she needs to lay still or in a "special machine" Do not sugar coat it and do not lie. Kids do better with the truth. If it will hurt (IV) tell her. Do not let her think she doesn't have to have it if she doesn't want it. Tell her it must be done and it will be done. You can promise a treat after if you want,

If you can not be with her when it is being done with out being upset then take her and let the staff be with her. If you are upset she will be to, and it will be 10 times worse for everyone.

I worked in an ER for years and also as a Diabetic educator with children. Kids handle these things usually much better than a lot of parents.
Could your DH take her because it sounds like you are very emotional and this will be passed onto her and she will feed off of it.

It comes down to do you trust the DR or not ? If you do then let them do their job to find out what is wrong with your DD.

Our pediatrician would always comment on how well behaved the kids were when we had to go in for shots, etc. I always prepped the kids telling them yes, they would get a shot or 3 and yes it would hurt for a bit and be over. DS18 had to get some ear wax taken out of his ear that we DIDN'T know about before hand when he was about 6 and OH BOY you would think were were trying to cut off his limbs . The dr commented about how well behaved our kids USUALLY were .

DD had to have a CT Scan with the barium swallow when she was 5 and you just need to let them know what to expect. It isn't fun but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.

 

[disfan07]

The contrast wont be a problem at all with a peanut allergy. I am anaphylaxis to peanuts and allergic to eggs, shellfish, lanolin, parabens plus some preservatives. I have had 5 head MRIs and 3 CT scans all with contrast since april. No problems at all.

 

[java]

Not am MRI but my then 5 year old had surgery- and we prepped him with the "you are going to be fine. It's an operation to make you better- they'll give you some medicine which will help you fall asleep. I'll be there with you until you do fall asleep. Right after the surgery I will be with you again."
Telling him exactly what was going to happen helped him. He was cool calm and collected. Did great (I on the other hand was a basket case) but he stayed strong and we stopped for a treat on the way out of the hospital.

I think you should get it done to help calm some concerns. Think of how it will feel if she gets a clean screening. Can she go for an Open MRI?