Blood and spit and biting....oh my!

So, because Austin is on Lithium we have to do blood draws every six months to check the level of Lithium. This makes sure he is getting enough to be therapeutic, but not too much. Let me just say that these blood draws? PURE HELL!!!! It usually takes my husband, myself and several techs to hold Austin down to do the blood draw. This is with hubby taking the top half, me laying on the legs, one tech holding his arm still, another tech holding the vials and another tech actually sticking him. It is horrid! I am sure we are not alone in this, are we?

Unfortunately, since he has grown to Jolly Green Giant proportions this summer, we had to do a blood draw to make sure he still has enough meds in him. This was an impossible feat! Even with 4 techs and me and hubby? He still managed to spit at one tech and tried to bite another, while kicking the snot out of me. We all, collectively, were unable to contain him. I swear he has the strength of the Incredible Hulk! Needless to say, we did not get the blood draw done.

This morning, hubby called his psychiatrist and explained what happened. We told her that we either need some sedation or he would not be getting a blood draw any time soon. Well, she called in Xanax. She gave us two pills. One is for a trial run, to see how he reacts to it. She didn't want us to go in thinking he would be able to be contained, then BAM! She is awesome :)  I hate that we have to sedate for this, but for everyone's safety it is best.

How do you handle blood draws? Are you one of the lucky ones, who's children sit calmly? Or are you like us and it takes a million people and /or sedation to make it happen? I am curious to know!

Until Next Time,