For the parents of kids who tried VitalStim

[Peyton's Parents]

Peyton went for her VitalStim evaluation today. The local children's hospital has only done VitalStim with adults - Peyton is their first official pediatric patient. So how do you keep the stinking electrodes on? Initially we put them on and then we put an ace bandage around her head to keep them in place but that kept slipping off with all her running around and dancing. Any ideas?

[LittleBee]

Luke has been doing Vital Stim for a while now. You're right, the tape around the electrodes isn't all that strong, especially when it gets wet (any drooling). Luke's therapist uses that tape that just sticks to itself (Cobain, I think it's called) in a single layer on top of the electrodes. This is a post on my sons' blog that has pictures http://3littlebees.blogspot.com/2008/11/lukes-vitalstim.html Another suggestion if you want to get the electrodes lower on the neck is to cut a notch out of the bottom of the tape pad around the electrodes to help it fit further down around the trach.

You said Peyton was running around. Will she be doing that during therapy? Luke stays in his stroller, but the bigger kids sit in a high chair or kinder seat the whole time. I've been told that Vital Stim works best when a person swallows while having it, so the therapist does activities to encourage swallowing. For us a typical session goes like this - attach electrodes, then do oral motor therapy for about half an hour (with stretches, nuk brush, and vibrating toys), give Luke ice chips to encourage swallowing, then give about 10 bites of food (yogurt, pudding, etc.). Luke does dance around in his seat, but we give him toys to try to distract him. I know this may not be possible all the time - I was just wondering if this is what they are shooting for.

Good luck! We think Vital Stim has done wonders for Luke. I hope Peyton has the same experience. PM me if you have any other questions you think I could help with or you need me to be more specific.

[faywrayy]

We never had a problem keeping the probes on, but they were attached just under the apple of her cheek, so no real wetness issues. We were told that in order to get maximum benefit from vitalstim, she needed to be eating, or swallowing during the therapy. We kept her in a high chair and went for a 30 min lunch session, where she'd be eating and drinking the entire time.

Good luck!