Silent reflux and infant Gaviscon

[FlumptyDumpty]

My three week old was diagnosed with silent reflux on Friday and put on infant Gaviscon. So far, symptoms have improved slightly, but she is still bringing up a lot of milk, lot of hiccups and is still over-eating for comfort. I'm not convinced it's working well enough, as although she appears to be in less pain than before, she is still suffering.

How long should I give it to work? I'm tempted to go back to the GP tomorrow, but will they say I haven't given it long enough?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

I think you have given it long enough and there are other men's she can have. Has anyone mentioned Cow's Milk Protein Allergy? It may be a possibility.

[FlumptyDumpty]

Thanks Jilted. Am taking her back to the GP tomorrow and will ask to step up to a stronger med.

GP didn't mention cow's milk allergy, but it was my first visit. Neither I nor DH have any food allergies/intolerances, but we both have other allergies, and DH has asthma, so she is at higher risk of having allergies herself. Do you know how that would be tested for? Can a GP do it, or would it require referral?

Thanks for your help.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

There's is some good info on the allergy UK website, here

[FlumptyDumpty]

That's really helpful, thanks!

[fredandme123]

Ask for ranitidine. Helped my LO massively. Finally got appt at hospital and DR made a v good point that the gaviscon is keeping the milk down that should naturally come up when they are only eating for comfort which leads to tummy discomfort.

[FlumptyDumpty]

fred that's a really good point I wouldn't have thought of. I'll bear it in mind for if I get any pushback from the GP tomorrow. Thanks!

[Writerwannabe83]

My baby had silent reflux and Ranitidine was amazing!!! We pretty much saw a difference instantly.

[MummySparkle]

Ranitidine really helped DD too. Gaviscon showed an improvement for a day or two, but then made her terribly constipated. Are you breastfeeding? I found cutting all dairy, caffeine and soya out of my diet made a difference to both DCs x

[fredandme123]

Let us know how you get on at GP. I was so scared to stop gaviscon as he was on it for about 4months. He was always a crap sleeper but when I stopped the gaviscon he started going 7-5 just like that ... Literally kicking myself for carrying on with it so long when I knew it wasn't really working. I called GP for telephone appt when he was having a screaming fit following sick. I think because the GP could hear the pain in his cry he was happier to prescribe the ranitidine.

[FlumptyDumpty]

GP was very sympathetic, prescribed Ranitidine and booked us in for a review in one week. She mentioned Omeprazole if the Ranitidine doesn't work, so she seems to be keen to sort it out rather than fob us off, which is great. Not sure if the Ranitidine is working yet, as DD was up all night in pain. That seemed to be related to wind/colic from the other end, though.

She's still on Gaviscon, though I'm a bit concerned she's now only pooing once a day. I wonder if a different thickener like Carobel of a reflux milk round suit her better.

Also, the GP mentioned that some reflux babies like electric swings. But she did warn we could get one and find DD hates it! I don't suppose there are any recommendations? I'm finding the variety a bit confusing!

Thanks all for your help!

[fredandme123]

We didn't have a swing. Just carried him in a sling a lot. I tried carobel but it made his poo like glue, never tried any comfort milks so can't tell you experience of those. Gaviscon poo's were firm as opposed to runny and he made (still does tbh) a big performance of getting it out! Once a day sounds pretty normal aswell.

[FlumptyDumpty]

fred I can relate to the making a performance of getting it out! Seems v difficult for her now.

[Lilliput]

My ds had silent reflux. Have you thought of cranial osteopathy?

[silverglitterpisser]

Another Ranitidine fan here, it gave us our baby boy back.

One thing tho, where we r (NW) GP's don't prescribe it, u have to get it from a paediatrician which obviously means a referral etc. Our GP couldn't do a lot tbh except refer. Gaviscon worse than useless in r case.

We received an appointment for 3 months away (for the whole reflux issue) which would be fine if our baby son wasn't screaming n writhing in agony around the clock. So I did the thing I never do n judge everyone for ... I took him to A&E. We were desperate watching our lad suffer, it was crisis point for us as a family n after a few hours there we had the magic potion! Only days later, our little boy was smily n content again.

I hope u can get some answers n help for ur little one, reflux is a total shit.

[silverglitterpisser]

Cross post, u have the lovely ranitidine . Hope it kicks in soon.

[NeedSpeed]

Cranial osteopathy will be a total waste of money for this, please don't bother with it. I tried three different cranial osteopaths and nothing worked. The last one I saw said my daughter had a medical problem, which she did.

We were given lansoprazole and it was great. We went on a dairy free diet too but it didn't make a difference because we later found out my daughter had egg and wheat allergy too.

My recommendation would be for you to try going dairy and egg free for two weeks and see if it makes a difference.

[NeedSpeed]

And sorry you must be having a really tough time, hope you are ok and once the medication kicks in you will see a huge difference. Best of luck