Ranitidine v omeprazol for reflux

[LindsayS79]

Hi all
My LO has been on ranitidine for a week now and seems really unsettled (more than before!). She's now struggling to take her formula and I'm practically forcing 2oz down her at a time. She's crying at each feed and has not napped during the day for 4 days now.
Anyhoo, I've got an appt with my GP today and I know I'll be on for a struggle as they don't take reflux seriously. Can anyone give any experience/info on how omeprazol differs from ranitidine? Is it better?
I really need to push for something to work as she's in so much discomfort and is shattered
Thanks all

Unfortunately a week is not really long enough to test the effectiveness of the ranitidine

Omeprazole works (as does Ranitidine often) but stops all acid production and there are issues with this as you would imagine. it also takes at least 2 weeks and more often 3-4 to work, tastes vile and the liquid degrades after 2 weeks in the bottle .

if i were advising you I would be checking the dose of the ranitidine, looking for side effects (constipations etc) alternative dosing (eg last thing at night vs day time).

how old is LO?

take courage...this will pass. Domperidone may also help with gut motility.

Which dosage level of Ranitidine is your LO on? There are 3. We didn't see any improvement until we were on the high dose with DD. I disagree that a week is too long to know. When the high dose was prescribed, her symptoms disappeared in 48 hours.

Hi both
She's 6 weeks and is on 3x0.25ml a day. her weight was 8lb 14 two wks ago.
She's practically crying all day and night, has stopped taking naps, even in the pram, coughs, gags, arches back etc. she's on gaviscon which is keeping her food down now thankfully. I just feel she is actually worse on the ranitidine and I'm losing the will to live!

That's not the max for her weight. Can you get a telephone appt with GP to up the dose?

Hang in there. Reflux is hell for everyone but it does improve eventually. Have you been on the littlerefluxers forum? Lots of great advice and links to products that help. Do you have a sleeping wedge for the cot? A sling for during the day?

Have you been on the high needs baby thread here on MN - in the Sleep section? Have you been on the reflux thread here on MN - in the Feeding section?

Well I'm just back from the GP and was told I could have omeprazol if I wanted. I said I would rather try the higher dose of ranitidine first so he put me up to 0.5ml x 3 a day. I'm not sure if this is even high enough? He was clueless!!

I'm not sure, sorry. How is your LO today? You will know when you get the meds right as the symptoms will melt away.

Hi stargirl
Not sure if things are looking up, don't want to jinx myself but she's seemed a bit happier..!
I've had more smiles and reactions from her today and less crying! She started her usual meltdown from 6-9pm but I think there was a mix of wind and hunger in there. In fact she was wanting fed a LOT during that period so I'm wondering if that may be a sign of her improving. I really hope so! It's horrible knowing you have an unhappy baby 90% of the time when you see the glimmers of happiness through smiles for the remaining 10%.

6-9pm is a normal fussy period for babies with or without reflux. I read a theory that they are just overwhelmed with sensory stimuli by then and can't cope any more. I used a stretchy wrap sling with DD so she was cuddled up close to me in the evening - smell of my skin, sound of my heartbeat, dark under the wrap.

It will get better. It just takes time - which you don't want to hear right now We saw a big improvement at 7 months and things have been so much better since then. We can always tell when she's put on weight as the symptoms surface again as the dose isn't enough.

I think I'm going to have to invest in a sling for the house. So many people swear by them so I need to give it a go!
My hubby works nights so it would be handy to be able to carry her around while still being able to function!
Thanks for the words of wisdom!