Help for a newbie
Hi everyone, I'm new to this site, I came across it while I was searching for all the info I could on Silent Reflux. I have a 9 week old boy who I am convinced has it and finally on Thursday I found a HV who seemed to agree with me. I then saw a GP who prescribed us some Gaviscon, which has made a huge difference plus I changed his milk to C & G Comfort. The HV told me to ask for Nutrimigen for be prescribed but the GP said she felt that intolerence wasn't the problem but there may be something structural going on as he had quite a brutal caersarean entry into the world as he was huge (10lb 14oz) and she has referred us to a Pead asking if we can be seen within the nxt 2 weeks.
I have only got this far by writing down all the symptoms when I was really desperate at 5am the other morning having been up all night again with a lo in agony. We have had terrible trouble getting him to take even 2 ozs of milk before he arches his back and screams, he will only sleep in his bouncy chair and previous to the milk change he was still unsettled and woke at the slightest noise. We are coping with the sleeping problems by my mum doing one night to my two so at least I get some rest. He had hiccups at least 6 times a day although that has also improved.
Until last week every GP or HV I saw just said that some babies cry and as he isn't losing weight there is nothing wrong, i have basically just made notes and made a nuisance of myself but now I am really worried that the Pead's won't listen and we won't be able to even keep the Gaviscon (I was only given 10 days worth until we have the hospital opinion) let alone get any other medication. Is there any tips you can give me on how best to deal with these people.
My added problem is that I suffered bad PND with my first child and any HV or GP who knows my history simply presumes that I'm depressed again and making a fuss over nothing, the truth is that I am not depressed having worked really hard to overcome it, I am just tired from a screaming baby that needs my help and frustrated with health professionals who won't listen.
Thanks for any advice.
I have only got this far by writing down all the symptoms when I was really desperate at 5am the other morning having been up all night again with a lo in agony. We have had terrible trouble getting him to take even 2 ozs of milk before he arches his back and screams, he will only sleep in his bouncy chair and previous to the milk change he was still unsettled and woke at the slightest noise. We are coping with the sleeping problems by my mum doing one night to my two so at least I get some rest. He had hiccups at least 6 times a day although that has also improved.
Until last week every GP or HV I saw just said that some babies cry and as he isn't losing weight there is nothing wrong, i have basically just made notes and made a nuisance of myself but now I am really worried that the Pead's won't listen and we won't be able to even keep the Gaviscon (I was only given 10 days worth until we have the hospital opinion) let alone get any other medication. Is there any tips you can give me on how best to deal with these people.
My added problem is that I suffered bad PND with my first child and any HV or GP who knows my history simply presumes that I'm depressed again and making a fuss over nothing, the truth is that I am not depressed having worked really hard to overcome it, I am just tired from a screaming baby that needs my help and frustrated with health professionals who won't listen.
Thanks for any advice.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by nicola on -
Hi Wendy,
I completely understand where you are coming from, my son is now 14 months old and I’m still shouting to be heard, originally it took me 4 GP’s 1 on call visit 3 HV and no one was listening, then my LO was admitted to A&E, well I took him, as he was being so sick he couldn’t keep anything down the GP the day before said oh well hun it’s just reflux!
When we got to the hospital a good friend of mine also shouted for me, and we got admitted they then diagnosed reflux and gastroenteritis, we spent 2 days in hospital, as he was floppy and unresponsive the next day.
I know how frustrating it can be to try and get health professionals to listen to you, but my advice is stay calm, keep a diary so you can relay all the symptoms’, crying, vomiting, nappies, (colour is important, so say what colour and consistency the poo is).
If you don’t feel happy you can go back to your GP and asked to be referred to a paediatric specialist, I have just got a referral to Bristol Children’s hospital to see a paediatric Gastroenterologist. So fingers crossed for me too, I’m keeping a very strict food diary with symptoms and reactions in.
Also get your HV to do the Post natal questionnaire with you to prove you’re not depressed, if you have probs with this, let me know, and I can get a depression questionnaire to you, (I’m a physiotherapist)
I can only say, believe in yourself, mothers know best, we are so linked to our babies we know how they are feeling and what’s going on for them, we live with them, the Dr’s don’t. Just make sure you put all the negatives to them, not what is ok like ,but how bad it is, and how this is not normal, my baby is my 4th and I think they listen a bit more as I have 3 other’s to compare against, good luck and let me know how you go...
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Permalink Reply by Wendy Marsh on -
Hi Nicola
Thanks for your reply. I took my lo to a Cranial Osteopath yesterday who was fab and agrees with me completely that it is Silent Reflux, he also has some other problems which are as a result of his delivery which they hope to help with, its going to take at least 3 sessions but at least someone is on our side but he agreed that the medical profession in general are a nightmare and every lo they see the parents have had to fight hard.
My HV was round on Monday and I finally got her to realise that it is not me with the problem (hooray) she had already done the Post Natal Questionaire as you suggested and questioned every answer I had given as to whether I had answered it honestly, eventually on Monday I said that if I am cracking up then my mum and my husband must be too as they have witnessed all of his symptoms as well and she finally began to get it! Another HV then rang yesterday to apologise for the way she spoke to me last week but unfortunately they do appear to be closing ranks as alot of his problems are as a result of his delivery. He was born by Elective section but the registrar didn't make the incision large enough (he was almost 11lb) and so they used forceps to get his head out and then his shoulders got stuck so they basically man handled him out. I was very badly bruised and it now appears that lo neck and shoulder problems are due to delivery so they all appear to think I am about to make a claim. I have told them that its not about claims its about getting my little man out of pain but its makes you feel like claiming when they are such a nightmare.
We have also heard that our paediatric appointment is 28th July and thats classed as urgent, so thank god I have seen the Osteo as I would have been out of my mind by then. I have rung the GPs this morning for a repeat prescription of his Gaviscon so it reamains to be seen if I get it or if I have to launch another battle!! so keep your fingers crossed.
I have started another list and some more notes so thatnks for that tip, let me know how it goes with the specialist.
Wendy
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