Is nutramigen easier to digest than standard formula? Reflux related

[buttonmoon78]

DS2 has severe reflux. After various trial and error options we're currently on nutramigen with ranitidine.

However, whenever he's sick, unless it is immediately after a feed (as in within 2-3mins) it is always watery and acidy. Previously it was only watery after 1-2 hours.

Consequently he's bringing up an awful lot of fluid and his nappies are getting a lot less wet, to the point where the back and sides are often bone dry (cloth nappies). Paed says she can't do anymore (we've been referred sideways to another specialist but I don't know when we're going to be seen yet).

None of this has helped his pain - he's getting worse not better. I'm so fed up of seeing him in pain and of stinking like sick .

I just want something to help, even if it's a tiny bit. He's such a cheery little man when he's in Dr Jekyll mode - but it's when he's Mr Hyde that he makes me cry.

I feel like no one is taking it seriously because he's not losing weight - he's a bit of a comfort eater I think. Any suggestions gratefully received - though don't expect me to jump up and down. I'm too damn tired.

Sorry to post and run, I will come back later.

But what about carabel or another thickener?

DD very similar. Our suite of medication is thus...

Infacol and ranitidine, then nutramigen with thickener followed by liquid gaviscon.

The Carobel thickens up the formula, the gaviscon forms a seal over the top.

Sorry this is happening to you, my heart goes out to you. Until DD was sorted we were going through tens of muslin cloths a day.

I know - we've got a pile of old tea towels that have been turned into car washing cloths. We'll they've been pressed into service recently!

He was on gaviscon but the thinking is that there is some damage to the bottom of the oesophegus (sp?) so the thickened milk 'clings' more to the sore bits and therefore is increasing his pain. So we're not allowed thickener currently. Until the sore bits heal (though I'm not sure how we know when that is). I'm so fed up.

My friend came over today and she's never seen him in his Mr Hyde moments so was staggered to see me wrestling with this tasmanian devil child who was fighting me and scratching at me.

Thankfully DH is home tonight - so he can deal with the nasty evening ahead for a change.

Thank you for answering.

Dont have any advice to offer, but Ive been there, its awful and I feel your pain. My ds had what i would describe as severe reflux, the volume and frequency he was sick meant that for months we rarely left the house. Days were a constant cycle of feeding, (which took hours as he'd cry and need a break constantly) mopping up the sick and changing him :( He was also a comfort eater, I think sometimes when theyre in pain the comfort of sucking on milk is the only thing that helps, even when its that thatys causing the pain, if that makes sense! Because of this he had really good weight gain, so no one took me seriously either. I know how frustrating it is. How old is your ds? In the end we had to wait til he grew out of it as none of the medication they offered us made any significant difference. There was a slight improvement once he could sit up, and a huge improvement one he was standing and walking. He's 18 months now and I cant remember the last time he was sick, but i still remember how god awful those months were. Is your ds old enough to sit in a bumbo? As soon as mine was big enough I sat him in one after every feed for as long as he'd stay there and it helped a bit. Sorry I dont have any help to offer, really do feel for you, hope he improves soon

I feel your pain,my DD has a bad reflux to. Try gaviscon in each bottle feed. I found nutramigen worked for her it's a more gentle milk so kinder on babies with reflux. Ranitidane didn't work for her so we were given omeprazole and she is so much better now. Like a different baby!
Good luck and really push for omeprazole.

I agree that they could give you omeprazole - surely they need something to neutralise the acid?

Has he had a ph probe or other test to help figure out what his patterns are like? or is that what he has been referred for?

Is the nutramigen because they think he has an allergy?