reflux over 1year

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jay Barker on July 6, 2009 at 21:06

Hi Nicola,

My son is also 13 moths old and still has reflux. His dad, grandad and great grandad all suffered with it as babies, and still suffer with it, so I'm not overly hopeful that he'll grow out of it, despite what I've been told!

Since he moved on to more solids, and started to stand up more with the furniture and things, the vomiting has improved drastically. However, it still causes him problems, especially when he's trying to sleep. I think it is now what they call "silent reflux" where the acid comes up sometimes as far as their throat, and causes real discomfort, but is usually swallowed back down again. I haven't had an official diagnosis on this, as my GP and Pead just try to fob me off with Gaviscon, despite the fact that it makes no difference!

Apart from endless washing (why does baby food have to be orange?) the most difficult time is at night. My son starts off in his cot but always ends up in with me as I just don't have the energy to keep going in and trying to settle him. Besides, if he's uncomfortable, he doesn't even settle if he's in with me. I have always kept his matress raised, but last night my dad put some planks of wood under his cot to really raise it up at one end. My son slept from 8.00-11.00(pm!) before waking to come in with me, which for him is really good! Time will tell whether it was just a fluke!!

Permalink Reply by nicola on July 7, 2009 at 11:28

Hi, Jay,
Thanks for the reply, last week I got so fed up with my poor little one, he keeps having screaming episodes in the day, completely inconsolable for anything from 10 mins to nearly 2 hours, (ending in an emergency visit to my GP’s) I took him back to my GP and he’s been referred to a paediatric gastroenterologist, just waiting for the app now.
I wonder if your LO would benefit from Omeperzole, it reduces down the production of stomach acid, this helps with less acid to come back up the pipes...
Maybe it’s worth going back to your GP and talking to them, are they helpful?
Mine GP is very good but some of the others at the practice don’t seem so willing to refer on, they want to treat, but I believe in specialist help for specialist problem...
How has your husband got on living with it long term, any tips?
Hope the sleeping improves..there are some really good reflux wedges which are quiet high, gives you an idea of the hight you need to put the cot up...

Permalink Reply by Jay Barker on July 13, 2009 at 20:41

Hi Nicola,

It's great that your LO has been refered to the Paed, at least they are taking you seriously and should know what they're talking about!

When I took Thomas to the GP last week, apart from the Gaviscon, his advice was "stop him sleeping in the day and leave him to cry it out at night."! Great advice! I took him to the clinic to see the health visitor and she advised me to see a particular GP, so on Friday I went back again to see her! She was really sympathetic and has prescribed Omeperzole!

Tomo's due his MMR this Thur though, so I don't want to start them yet in case he reacts to either them or his jabs.

HIs dad just takes Lanzoperole, and eats indigestion tablets like they're going out of fashion! I know it gets worse if he's stressed or tired, but other than that I don't think there's much he can do (other than moan about it, which he does a lot!!)

Let me know how you get on with the paed. Have you any idea how long you've got to wait for an appointment?

Permalink Reply by nicola on July 14, 2009 at 16:49

I’m so glad that you’ve got some extra medication for him, I think if I was you I’d be pushing to get him referred to a pead if poss, and a specialist one, as I’ve just learnt the local peads aren’t specialists. They only have an interest in gastric stuff, to get a specialist you need to go to a children’s hospital..
You have my complete sympathy with your GP I had a similar experience when we were trying to get Ollie sorted last year, 4 trips and then A&E – which got him treated, the pead there said it’s no good just one medication you need all of them together as they each do different things,
The Gaviscon just settles the stomach a bit, the omepazole reduces down the stomach acid and then we have Domperidone also which stops him feeling and being sick, this is the most important one for the sickness but we’ve tried to wean him off both the Domperidone and omepazole and he can’t cope without either of them.
The omepazole is great – I wouldn’t wait to start it, Ollie had his MMR a few weeks ago, and when he’s low he needs him medication more than when he’s really well, as you know tiredness’ and illness make reflux worse, also the omepazole takes a few days to work it has a build up effect.
If you want to talk, I’m happy to swop numbers...
i'll let you know when we get an appointment no dates yet

Permalink Reply by Belinda on July 23, 2009 at 12:19

Hi ya hope you guys dont mind me jumpin in, My daughter has just turned 12 months old and is still on Domperidone, Omeprazole and Gaviscon, since reducing them we have had no problems (fingers crossed) Since she has been taking Gaviscon advance just like us adults have she has been 90% better. I have a diffrent child.
I totally understand about the sleeping bit my little one will sleep short time in her cot and then wants to get in with us, think when there in pain the mommy cuddle helps. I no your two sound lots worse than my daughter is now, but i truely believe things will improve for you.