Reflux? Colic? Both? And Doc Refusing to change from Gaviscon to any other med...

[Sherbit]

To cut a long story short, if possible! I suspected Reflux in DS early on as my first child had it. I took him to local Childrens Hospital, Reflux was confirmed and I was prescribed Gaviscon, which settled the sickness for a few weeks however he now seems worse and when I returned to hospital the Doctor refused to change from Gaviscon because he is putting on weight. I did ask to change to Rantidine, as I do not see the problem in trying something else but the Diagnosis, was, that I am an 'Overbearing Mother'. Am I? Or is it just that I cannot stand to see my child in what appears to be pain! Needless to say after 15mins of fighting my case, I left the hospital in tears! Do I keep pestering Docs or should I just get on with it? (which was also very subtly put to me!)

DS's symptoms are:

• He will not lie on back after a feed without fretting/crying. Most of the time there is no consoling him.
• He arches back, clenches fists, brings knees up to chest,stretches out.
• In agony/crying when trying to pass wind (from both ends).
• Can still be sick 2 hours after a feed, mostly swallowing sick (occasionally choking) followed by a bout of hiccups, causing further upset.
• Thankfully, he sleeps great when in a semi-upright position.

Any advice is greatly appreciated as my DH and I are at our wits end.
Please note, if I do not reply right away it is because my 2 ds's dont let me sit still!!! But I always get a quick peek at the computer when I am running past! I will respond as soon as I can. Thank you Thank you Thank you..

IMO gaviscon did nothing for my dd other than give her constipation and helped to settle her stomach after a tummy bug. Poor DS, I know the criteria for drug change is sometimes weight gain, the only reason we got referred was because dd was not thriving. But how can they sit back and leave a baby in so much pain? Can you go back to your gp?

I would keep a symptom diary of each day, every sick episode, every pain, each time he struggles after a feed etc. That is what I was told to do so I was showing them factual information not getting emotional.

Only you know you little boy, go for what you think is best. I would fight on personally, good luck !!

sorry this has left you in tears

my children are far older now but I too struggled with doctors and reflux/allergies when they were young. It was a huge uphill struggle....

I agree with the symptom diary. What are you feeding him? Have they looked at reviewing his formula?

Gaviscon also didn't agree with one of my children. I'm afraid it will be a fight!

My baby also suffered from reflux. His cons paediatrician suggested trying SMA Staydown and this worked very well for us. It is quite a procedure to make-up, but you get used to it. If you are bf, then this would probably not be an option for you.

My ds1 had reflux too. Our gp put him on gaviscon, but I wasn't happy with it, so he was put on a prescription formula to treat it.
I know it's very difficult when people don't take you seriously, but in all honesty, I'd go back. Take a big old change bag and tell them you are not leaving until your ds is treated and given suitable medication.

My ds1 had a strawberry birthmark on his forehead which kept bursting leaving his whole face and head in blood. Was most distressing for both of us, the hospital refused to do anything about it, so I said I wasn't going to leave until it was treated. I was there for 3 days.

Hi my DS has severe reflux, he is 25 weeks. Gaviscon made things worse for him too. My DS symptons are severe irritability, scary choking, violent hiccups, vomitting (sometimes swallows it), terrible wind. He didn't sleep more than 20 mins in one go until 2/3 months old. We had to go A&E as DS choked and stopped breathing. Then we saw a paed directly. Can you ask for a paed referral through your GP? BUT if you little one chokes and is suffering then go to A&E and they should see you there and then. This book here is fab, covers everything inc how to approach it with your doc.

Hello

Sorry it has taken me so long to reply to you all but I did read your replies earlier in the week.

I have been trying to keep a diary of events since our visit to A&E and we are waitng on a hospital appointment following our GP's Referral to our local hospital, to see the Peadatrician there.

I dont want to speak to soon but we have been using a herbal med called Colocynth, since last Wednesday, which was highly recommended through friend of a friend and ds does seem much more settled. He still has all his symptoms but in a milder form!!! We are amazed. So, we are going to carry on with this but still attend hospital appointment when it arrives (no rush on their part, as usual). If the sickness/choking gets worse, I will be back in A&E, with my diary, and ready for a long fight.

Jellybeans, thank you for the link which I am going to look at just now. How is your DS now? Did it last long?

Foxinsocks, the Doc at A & E told me it was pointless to change food type! But this was the samegroup of Docs who advised ds be fed 2.5oz every 3-4hrs due to his size. Tried that and he was starving 2 hours later!!!

Bluebumedfly, I was told that 'really baby was not in as much pain as he makes out' and 'did I realise that some babies just cry more than others' Duh!!!!!!!!!!!!! What I kept repeating to the Doc was 'how can you let him suffer like this?' and that was the helpful reply I received. But, I was in a Childrens hospital, with the 'specialists' so surely they know what they are talking about?!?

Thank you all for taking time to reply. I will come back to this thread to read over your advice, again and again, until I am satisfied ds is more settled.

xxx