Help for gastro appointment

[Dunnowhatalltheacronymsmean]

Almost 6 month old dd has been vomiting full feeds since a few days old, had diarrhoea that's had mucous and small amounts of blood since around 10 weeks, and is occasionally green/foamy. As she's continued to put on weight, GP not concerned (has refused face to face appointments), but has referred to paediatric gastroenterologist after the millionth time we asked for help.

The appointment's finally upon us and we want to ask the right questions so she can get better. Any suggestions?

For a first appointment it's going to be mostly up to the doctor to ask questions, and then relay some kind of assessment and plan. It may be helpful to ask for a copy of the clinic letter (some places do this routinely anyway) and whether you can contact them to ask questions that emerge later.

What are good questions depend a lot on the diagnosis ("I am not sure what's going on but I am reassured for now" is also a kind of diagnosis). But generally "what do you expect to happen over time?" and "is there any new information that would change your thinking about what to do next?" are good general purpose ways to explore uncertainty.

Thanks, that's helpful.

Aww so glad you have an appt this must have been horrible for you. Definitely ask for the contact details of the gastro clinical nurse specialists-they're usually the best people to stay in touch with for follow up questions/day to day advice xxx hope it helps OP x

We're currently trying to establish whether my daughter has a food intolerance and what this is so I really empathise!

Has the GP not suggested trying an alternative milk? Xxx

@newtolineofduty that wouldn't have occurred to me to ask for contact details, really glad you suggested that. Thanks!

Sorry to hear you're going through a similar thing. I hope she's not been too poorly

She's breastfed and the GP told me that breastfed babies don't have milk allergies and didn't want to prescribe DF formula. I've gone dairy free anyway, just because I felt a bit powerless and desperate to do anything that could help her. I know it's statistically unlikely and didn't want to get into an argument with my GP but from what I've read it's still a possibility. Her symptoms do seem to be easing up a little but I don't know if that's just wishful thinking on my part

@Dunnowhatalltheacronymsmean I bet this appt can't come soon enough 😩 x it's awful feeling so powerless x

Has the doctor done any blood tests or stool tests as yet? If not that is what the gastro doctor will do in the first instance.. but you are in the best hands with them!!!