My DS, nearly 2, has a lump behind his left ear. He has had it since birth. It feels hard, like bone. However, an x-Ray has shown that it is not bone. An ultrasound gave limited info.
We had an appointment with a children's Neurosurgeon recently, and he said that we will only know if the lump is growing in to the skull or brain (worst case scenario) with an MRI. I am nervous about this because DS will have to have a general anaesthetic. Does anyone have any experiences with MRI and/or general anaesthetics on toddlers? I am going to my GP next week to get her advice.
Our next appt. with Neurosurgeon is in 2 or 3 months - and that is just to assess whether the lump has grown. Unfortunately, he wasn't very informative or pro-active. I obviously didn't ask the right questions. When I expressed fear about the general anaesthetic he said: 'we do MRI's here every day of the week, on babies, toddlers and teenagers'. I know that is true, but it's not an everyday experience for me.
I know the MRI is inevitable but I am hoping that people can share their positive experiences with me or just tell me to wake up to myself!
Thanks.
But he is right, they do it every day and your DS with be in safe hands. Will you be seeing anyone before the MRI? Could you maybe ask them to explain the procedure to you?
Ash - sounds worrying! I have some limited experience (as in from a health care workers perspective rather than a mum - which is very different) with toddlers and GA's. These have all had to be done so the kidlets would be still for medical procedures so were kind of not negotiable. Sounds like you are in a similiar spot tho.
MRI's are reasonably loud and kind of tunnel like and really require the subject to be as still as possible so it will be quicker and likely to get a better result with the GA (I would imagine it would be near impossible at that age to get reasonable images).
Have you a list of questions you are specifically concerned about? It is helpful if you have specific questions as they can give you direct answers as to the likely hood of different scenarios/reactions. Also the surgeon and the anaethetist are separate specialties and you may get better answers from one or the other depending on the question, ITMS?
I have always been amazed at the kids reactions after the GA's - one chap (would have been 3) the Dr I was working with promised him a freddo after (so he would inhale some gas) and I had to fly up to the caf to get it as that was his first word as he was coming out of it!
HTH
My DS had a GA at 12 months of age. I was able to hold him in theatre while they put him under. Walking away and leaving my unconscious child in the care of others was one of the hardest things I have had to do as a mother - it goes against every protective instinct a mother has. Logically, I knew he was in good hands and it would have been harder and more frightening for him to be taken into theatre without me. He was distressed when he woke up from the GA, confused and disoriented. They took me into recovery and he settled well in my arms. We went home that evening and he was fine by the next day, no apparent effects from the GA.
I have had an MRI myself. I am an adult and I work in the medical field. The MRI gave me the heebie-jeebies and I wish I could have had a sedative for it! It is a smallish tunnel and the machine is very, very noisy. Lots of banging and thumping. It is imperative that the patient remains absolutely still during the MRI, which I think took about 30 minutes. I was fighting the urge to panic the entire time. There is no way a 2 year old could have an MRI without a GA.
I'm sorry I'm not telling you how easy it all is, but I am being honest! It sounds like the only way you will find the answers you need in regard to your DS's lump is to go ahead with the MRI under a GA. Make sure you find a doctor you trust and be guided by his/her advice. I would assume that you will be able to stay with your DS while he is being administered the GA and ask the staff to get you immediately when he is taken to recovery. I reckon when they give the child a pre-med they should offer mum one as well!!
I agree with whoever said that it would be impossible to get a toddler to have an MRI without a GA.
My bub was only just 8 weeks old when he had an MRI. They had to a put a line in him in case they needed to give him a GA but luckily I managed to get him off to sleep and he slept through it - amazing I know! They put wee ones into a bean bag type thing and then suck the air out of it so they don't move. They also have little earmufs on. I was allowed to sit in the room with him. It was agonizing and horrible (sorry to put you off) and I hated every minute of it. But it was worth getting the all clear and knowing he was okay. It wasn't until it was all over that I burst into tears and let it all out.
Sorry I can't offer any ideas or (real) support but I hope it all goes well for you. Us mums are strong when we need to be and it will be you who is more worried about it all than your little one.
My DD had a GA at almost four months old, and then another one five weeks later. It totally freaked me out. The night before, I was an absolute mess. But she was fine and we had a wonderful surgeon and anethesist who helped keep me calm (they came out straight away to tell me what when on and that she was okay). She had an MRI one week after the initial surgery - they didn't give her a GA, just a mild sedative. She had to drink it, and then it made her doze off. They put earmu*** on her and took her in. She slept right through and was awake again about 20 minutes afterwards. She was a little groggy for the day. The worst bit was waiting. I didn't go with her into the MRI so I was just pacing the room until she came back. Good luck, and I hope all is okay
ETA - Wanted to add that the MRI in our case was quite quick. She was gone for about 20 minutes.
You have every right to be concerned about a GA and it was really rude of the Dr to fob you off.
My DS2 had a GA when he was about 18 months old. They let me hold him while they put him under. It was very sudden and kind of shocking. They go so very limp and feel heavier than normal. I was pretty teary when I handed him over but the nurses were really kind and I was beside him in recovery when he woke up. I really believe that it was far more traumatic for me than it was for him.
Firstly, I am sorry you are having this worry at all.
I agree with other PPs, that you are right to be concerned about a GA and rest assured your LO would be having it only because it is absolutely necessary. And I agree with Onyx that the dr was rude not to take your concerns into account. The anaesthetist may be more human in explaining the minimal risks to you - you can contact the radiology practice and ask who the anaesthetist will be and get in contact with them to discuss it first if you like. It is your right.
I work for a neurosurgeon and he can be a jerk sometimes. They work long hours and under stressful conditions. But most of the time he is great. Perhaps your surgeon was having a bad day. Make sure you make the most of your appointments. If you have questions, ask them. If you are worried about risks, ask about them and what the chances of them happening are. Inform yourself, if you think that's what will be best for you. Don't take any garbage - he is just a person like you and he needs to do his job properly. Most likely you are paying him a small fortune to consult with him so explaining everything in detail is the very least he can do, frankly.
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My toddler needs an MRI- experiences?
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