Injection Anxiety

Hi K.,
I have three girls and have been through this stage with two of them. I always told mine that I didn't think they were due for any shots this visit! Once we are there it is easier to handle. I always had them lean their head into my shoulder and talk to them about something silly until it was over. I also let the doctor know to prepare things in another room and not give a warning. Believe it or not, sometimes they did not even know what had happened. The anxiety is the biggest issue, not the pain! This has always worked for me, hope it helps!

We always go for ice cream afterward, that helps take the edge off, knowing they will get a treat.

I’ve learned that there is absolutely nothing I can do to ease the fears/anxieties of my child before getting shots. They know its coming and no matter what, they fight it. I wait till the day of to tell them. I avoid telling them the night before as they would go to bed all anxious.

Last Dr. appt. for shots we stopped by a Walgreens beforehand and I let my son pick out a new toy, anything he wanted. I told him that as soon as he is done at the Dr. office, and if he REALLY tried to be brave, he can open up his new toy at his favorite frozen yogurt shop we would be going to after. I told him he could pick whatever toppings he wanted for his yogurt. He took the unopened toy into the office and held onto it the entire time while I talked about what flavor frozen yogurt he would get and how many M&M’s he would put on top. It really helps too if I’m cuddling and kissing him a lot while in the dr. office.

He still cried and went through the “No I don’t want a shot!!!!” but it wasn’t the kicking and screaming I experienced with him the past times. I kept my promise of the frozen yogurt shop and M&M’s =-)

He’s due for his shots next week. I’ll be stopping off at Walgreens again and making promises of frozen yogurt with M&M toppings!!

I’m wishing you luck as well as myself! LOL

What about a treat or something he really likes as a reward for a shot? I personally had a phobia of needles and blood, and I HAD to know in advance if I was getting a shot. Springing it on me as a child was far more traumatic for me, so I don't recommend that unless you really believe it would benefit your child. Maybe if he knew when it was coming, he wouldn't stress so much about other visits, at least?

My son (7) was the same way, we would have to hold him down, while they stuck the needle in, making it such an ordeal, then one day he had a bad allergic reaction and had to have a blood test, so they used a special needle called a butterfly, and it didn't hurt at all, so he is fine about it now - I dont believe they can use them for vaccinations though - they are always jabbed in no matter what because they are intramuscular.

you could try giving him some numbing cream like orajel and tell him it will numb him, that may make him feel better, or get him to rub an ice cube on the areaa first

My son was terrified of getting his last round of vaccines, and did not want to go. It just happened that one of the shots he was to get was his polio vaccine, so I introduced him to a fellow I worked with who did not get his vaccine, got polio, and lost his leg. After that I had no more issues with my son, that and a lolly pop for after :). I know we do not all know someone who has actually had one of these illnesses since vaccines have made them rare, but in other parts of the world they still happen so maybe you could find some pictures or something so your son will understand better why the shots are so important.

Have him look at something else when they are administering the shot. WATCHING the needle go in adds to the pain and the stress.
Distract him. Take a jack in the box and start winding when they start swabbing the injection site with alcohol. Or give him a DS and have him involved in a Mario game when the nurse is ready to inject. ANYTHING to have him LOOK elsewhere. And by all means, TELL him to look at something else. Explain to him that watching actually does make it hurt more. And it does. It heightens the feel of it.

And not all shots are created equal. lol Ask the nurse if they can use a smaller needle (they come in different sizes).
As you are going to the doctor for various reasons, always be up front with him about whether or not to expect a shot. Tell him that you will ALWAYS tell him ahead of time if he will be getting one, and stick to your promise. Just don't tell him a week in advance. Tell him that day or maybe the night before, and tell him something fun he will enjoy doing that will happen immediately upon leaving the doctor's office. There is a reason dr's offices often have candy dishes at the pay window... after shots, it is a bright spot for the kiddos.

We have a child with this issue. She has an autistic spectrum disorder, and we chaulk it up to part of her anxiety related to her autism. She may ask us several times a week if she is going ot have a shot or a blood test, and any visit to the doctor or dentist is riddled with anxiety that at any moment, she may have to have one. For her, it is counter productive to "prepare" her when she will need one, it is much better to not tell her until it is time to have it done, less time to stress about it, get it done quickly and get on with making her feel better when it is over. Asking her if she is ready and telling her that it is not biggie, or that she needs it, or anything other than, I am going to give you a shot, here it is, now it's over...see, not a big deal, how about we go do something fun now, just prolongs the worst part, which is the fear before hand. There has never been a shot or a finger stick or a blood test that was too terrible, it is the anxious time before with the worry that you need to minimalize.

We put a big note ont he front of our kids charts, so that the staff did not dilly dally about it, did not ask if she was ready (she will never be ready, and since she does not have a choice in the matter, they should never suggest that they do by asking anything) Just get it done, short and sweet, no prolonging the anxiety. If your doctor's staff cannot do this, find one who will.

Mediations have helped our daughter, but unless it is a constant debilitating fear (like it was, as well as other things) then that will probably not be needed for your son.

We have a deal too, if she ever needs something, she has to let the person do what ever it is in the doctor or dentist office without moving, she can cry, she can screem, but she has to cooperate. If she does, we go to the toy store afterward, and if she doesn't...maybe next time. We have had this deal for years, so we don't have to alert her that she gets a reward, or what she has to do to get it before hand, which would just give her more anxiety. Once you get that established, it might help him be more cooperative, and telling them that they can cry or yell, gives them some control.

M.

My 8 year old does not complain about shots when his pediatrician does them because he does a "magic trick" so the shot won't hurt. He does get the anxiety and get fearful when it comes flu shot time because you never know which pediatrician you are going to get. This year we had a medical assistant come in and help because he fought. Yes I could opt not to get it but he has asthma so flu mist is out of the question and he gets severe side effects from just your average cold so doing everything possible to help prevent him from getting the flu is a must. I don't recall my son getting any shots when he turned 7 if this is about the flu shot if he doesn't have any respiratory problems you can do the flu mist instead. They do make something to numb the area I don't know what it is called but I have had it used when I have gotten IVs before maybe it is something to discuss with your doctor.

Updated

My 8 year old does not complain about shots when his pediatrician does them because he does a "magic trick" so the shot won't hurt. He does get the anxiety and get fearful when it comes flu shot time because you never know which pediatrician you are going to get. This year we had a medical assistant come in and help because he fought. Yes I could opt not to get it but he has asthma so flu mist is out of the question and he gets severe side effects from just your average cold so doing everything possible to help prevent him from getting the flu is a must. I don't recall my son getting any shots when he turned 7 if this is about the flu shot if he doesn't have any respiratory problems you can do the flu mist instead. They do make something to numb the area I don't know what it is called but I have had it used when I have gotten IVs before maybe it is something to discuss with your doctor.

I always ((lie)) and tell my 7 yo son I don't think he has to get any shots this appt--then he's caught off guard and normally gives the thumbs up & soldiers through. I think the worst part for them is the anticipation--so I've eliminated that. You'd think he would catch on! LOL