Help needed with reflux please!

[Twattybollocks]

Tried gaviscon (windy, terrible nappies, didn't really help the puking or pain) tried carobel (even worse nappies, didn't help the sickness etc) I think it's the acid sort she has, the sick smells properly of sick, her face is sore where she sicks with the dummy in, she has to be vertical after feeds for an hour or so or she is gagging and screaming. I want to try the ranitidine that I've heard about, but how do I convince the gp? When I went last time he said the only option was gaviscon.

[KatieLily12]

The only option is not gaviscon and you have a right to making your child comfortable. Can you see another GP or better yet a referral to a paediatrician?

How's their weight? My Los plummeted which made everyone help suddenly

[KatieLily12]

Did that reply take? I may have just accidentally messaged it to you. V tired, sorry!

[CoolaSchmoola]

I went in and point blank said 'we've tried everything suggested so far, nothing works, I want Ranitidine please.'

Worked a treat, unlike the Ranitidine, which made DD puke more (didn't think it was possible... I was wrong).

If you still don't get any joy ask for a referral to a specialist.

[narmada]

Is she bottle-fed and if so has cow's milk protein allergy been mentioned as a possibility? It is fairly common as these things go.

If it is, there are specialist formulas.

If it is reflux then there are better meds than ranitidine such as omeprazole, but many GPs wont prescribe without paed letter...

[Twattybollocks]

No, she's bf. she does have the comfort milk if she needs formula, but that's a couple of times a week. I can't really cut out dairy from my diet, I have quite a restricted range of things I like to eat (bit pathetic I know but it's just how I am) Her nappies on bm are ok, vast in quantity but yellow and not mucousy. I am on decaf tea and coffee, which does help, but she's still in so much pain from it.

[blondieminx]

How old is baby? I'd be pushing very hard for a referral to a paediatrician at this point.

If baby's weight is following the centile dr's tend not to be too concerned but if it's dropping then they tend to be more inclined to prescribe.

Strongly suggest the GP observes a feed and the aftermath too.

My DD is on domperidone which has been amazing, it works by pulling the milk through the stomach quicker.

[OpheliasWeepingWillow]

Make. Your. GP. Listen.

Or get another one. Reflux is horrible and can lead to all sorts of bottle / breast refusal.

Good luck x

[OpheliasWeepingWillow]

Oh and it's bollocks that the only option is Gaviscon. There is a sliding scale of medication for this purpose as well as special milks and or dietary restrictions if breastfeeding. Get a new doctor. Seriously.

[conorsrockers]

I'm sure you know this already but you need to keep them as upright as you can all the time. Especially when they're sleeping ... my 2nd boy spent most of his first year in the baby rocker/chair thing (been that long I can't remember what it's called!). There was no meds back then, but I would have snapped them up if there were. It's a tough time, but it does pass - I just remember everything we did - bathing, changing etc... we kept him at 45 deg minimum. It made a huge difference. We also used the Heimermann (sp.) feeder (baby whisperer). Good luck.

[Twattybollocks]

I change her nappy before every feed rather than after, and she sleeps in her swing seat with a support cushion sometimes, but more usually in a sling on my front or being held by either me or dh. We co sleep with her propped up on cushions next to me as she almost always wakes every time she is moved, and starts crying. She goes on her playmat for about 15 minutes several times a day if she wakes before she is starving,

[Twattybollocks]

I've got the ranitidine :0) dh is picking up from chemist in about half an hour. Just keeping everything crossed that it works. I managed to see one of the gp trainees who was lovely and very open to trying something else. The usual gps there tend to be very conservative and reluctant to move out of their comfort zone with prescribing so I'm glad I didn't see one of them.

[Queenofknickers]

So glad you got the ranitidine My DS had same and we had to add in domperidone as well so do go back if ranitidine isn't enough. Sorry didn't see age on posts but my sons reflux really improved when I could start him on bit of baby rice and potato as well. I also found my son was better in clothing without waistbands, and putting his legs to one side when nappy changing rather than squidging them towards his tummy helped.

[Twattybollocks]

Yeah, I figured waistbands were bad news, I tried tights on her once and it was a disaster! Thankfully she is long and thin so leggings that are long enough in the leg are a bit big on the waist. Also, dungarees and sleepsuits are good!

[Pleasenomorepeppa]

Def ask to be referred to a Paed. How old is your LO? At DD2s 6 week check my GP referred us on an emergency referral.
She'd been on Ranitidine & it wasn't working, he then put her on Omeprezole. She was struggling to BF as her throat was so sore & was generally awake & sad all the time.
The Paed upped her dosage of Omeprezole & gave her aptimal Pepti for any formula feeds & also Gaviscon.
She's just starting to get sorted out at 9 weeks.
Good luck, Reflux is a Bastard .

[narmada]

I really hope the ranitidine does the trick but do not be afraid to go back if it's no good. My DS was on Omeprazole at 3 weeks old IIRC so it can be done (I luff my GP a little bit, he was worth his weight in gold)

I hate to sound like a stuck record but please do consider the dairy allergy. It was suggested to me by a Lactation Consultant very early in DS's life, and I thought I just couldn't do the dietary restriction involved. Mistake. Had I followed her advice I would have saved myself and my son a lot of heartache.