It's really not bad, and it didn't bother her at all. I think they did about 20 pricks. Unfortunately we found out she is allergic to our dog, but luckily she's been doing ok. She also had blood taken, but not the throat thing. I think taking blood will be harder as a toddler than it was with an 8 mo. old, but you have to do it some cases.
I saw where you said your DS has been diagnosed with asthma. My DD had terrible asthma symptoms the first 18 months, and ended up in the hospital every time she got sick. We took her to a pediatric asthma/allergy specialist and put her on a steroid inhaler twice per day, singular, and Xopenex (like Albuteral) as needed. I'm almost scared to write this because I don't want to jinx myself, but she's been off all her meds since the beginning of last summer, and has been doing great. We were told that sometimes they can "grow out of it". I'm hoping that's what happened, but I'm still cautious. However, we're still planning on continuing all of our normal activities this winter, including school, unless of course we're given a reason not to.
Good luck.....I know it's scary, but as long as you monitor him closely and always have his breathing meds with you, you should feel much more comfortable. Also, just an FYI.....I was worried about the steroid inhaler, but was told by the specialist that the side effects of an inhaled steroid over the course of a year are much less than one dose of the oral steroid she was given each time she was in the hospital because her symptoms were so acute. Our goal was to keep her out of the hospital, and I believe the inhaled steroid worked as a preventive measure to keep her out.
Suzi
