Older baby with severe reflux and constant ENT problems. Anyone with experience?

[bakeacake]

Hi, I am at my wits end with my 10 month DS. He has projectile vomited daily since 6 months as he has reflux. He also cannot eat any non-blended food without gagging and vomiting. This is in itself a nightmare! However, in the last 2 months he has had 4 colds, 2 lots of tonsilitis, 3 ear infections, bronchitis once, croup plus an unexplained severe rash (monitored overnight in hospital for this). He currently has croup and the cough is just making him vomit over half of what he drinks. This is the case with his colds too- the mucuos is too much to handle with reflux too. Through much of this period (probably 75-80% in last two months) he has flatly refused even blended foods. He hasn't got a big appetite anyway but that is no problem.

What I wanted to ask was if anyone has any similar experiences? I am convinced that the months of projectile vomit is causing most of these infections. His reflux is largely untreated, he's just on ranitidine. Let's face it, if vomit is coming down your nose (TMI) it's going to linger around and trigger infections? Dr's deny this as DS always looks happy when he's seen but I know it can happen. His weight is going nowhere at the moment so maybe they will begin to listen more.

Any thoughts would be REALLY appreciated x

Just to add, he's never been diagnosed as having severe reflux. That's just what I think after all this time! Hope I didn't offend anyone.

dd had reflux and I was told that it does make them more prone to such infections. Wouldn't worry about his weight too much as they often plateau at this age as they become more mobile. It is also very common for them, to pick up everything that is going around in their first winter. dd certainly did despite being b'fed but has been pretty robust since, although at 4 can still vomit readily with a cough.

Also she couldn't tolerate lumpier and finger foods until past a year. Have you ruled out a food intolerance if this only started at 6 months ? It might be worth returning to the dr/hv to go through your worries but you may well find that things largely resolve themselves over the next few months through a combination of physical development and gaining more immunity.

Sorry, but hth, I know it is horrid at the time and frustrating that you can do so little to help.

our ds had reflux - IMO, don't muck around with GP - go to paediatrician and get it sorted

Thanks LIZS, I'm not worrying about his weight too much. Although, he can spend weeks not eating, when he does eat for a few days, his weight seems to recover well. I'm just worried about long term damage now tbh as he is really suffering. I have ruled out food intolerances as he is already dairy free as he has a milk allergy. I've never given him soya. He rarely has anything but fruit, veg, chicken and fish. Also, he's done a 3 week stretch of no solids at all a month or so back and the sickness is no better/ worse with food. I think you're right re: physical aspect. He just wants to crawl all the time and I know thatisn't good for reflux!

Koalabear- he is now under a paed who has arranged major blood tests and allergy skin prick tests next week. I think we are seeing some action at last but I just feel so helpless and our quality of life is not good.