silent reflux hell

[climberjoe]

Someone please help. I am a first time mum whos 14week dd struggled from the start not latching not feeding. After 8 weeks of bf gave in and went to omneo comfort. Had good 3 weeks on that then hell began. Screaming after taking 3oz, arching her back, not going on back for changing, playing, generaly a very very grumpy baby. She used to be so smiley. it breaks my heart. Got referral to hosp where they diagnosed silent reflux without doing any tests. Took Gaviscon which stopped the feed screaming immediatley. However inbetween feeds and night times are becoming an absolute nightmare. She used to go nearly 6 hours between feeds no we're lucky if she goes 3. The Gav has made her contsipated. Can't loosen stools with cool boiled water as this hurts her also. She is in agony!! What do I do?? Please can someone help a mum who is sttruggling with a little pnd and a screaming baby

You should definitely give the Ranitidine. Firstly because if you put yourself in her shoes there's no way you would put up with chronic heartburn without taking mediciation and secondly because if acid is burning her windpipe it could cause her damage.

I don't know what negative things have been said about Ranitidine - but I never had any problems with it.

climberjoe - it is natural you are concerned but ranitadine won't slow down her digestion
it will neutralise the acid and help stop the pain
FWIW i started to give my DS these meds when he was just 7/8 weeks old but the difference in his afterwards was amazing ...

i am so glad to read this thread! i thought i was the only one with a baby up all night due to reflux! my baby girl is now 7 months old and has been on gaviscon since 8 weeks old. I have had sleepless nights ever since and she is now on ranitidine 3 times a day as i took her to my gp and sent me to a&e in exeter straight away as she would not stop screaming, also she always has milk in her mouth and is always being sick! I have her cot up and i always keep her upright after feeds but she hates eating or drinking her milk! i went back to the doctors last week as the nights are getting worse and day time! they have now referred me back to hospital to see paeditrician! so worried as not sure what the next step is!
h27

((h27)) poor you, and poor little girl It sounds as though Ranitidine isn't strong enough - I've known other babies need Omeprazole or other meds instead. Either that, or could be allergy related insteads/as well.......there's a post further down the thread about that (sorry, rushing madly or would check for you). I would push for something stronger than Ranitidine asap - good luck, let us know how she is.

Climberjoe, I'm so glad you're getting hte Ranitidine - dd's digestion is absolutely fine at 11 months: she eats meat, fish, all veggies, all grains, yoghurt, no problems at all. Acid reflux is nasty - hurts, makes you feel sick, and can damage your oesophagus and hamper breathing; on the other hand, Ranitidine is safe enough for pregnant women to be given it (my OB was one of the most experienced at C&W in London, and she had NO problem with giving it to me) and has been used for years and years for babies with no ill effects. I totally understand your concern, but honestly - its so worth a try! Hope she has some relief soon, and you some sleep. xx

my second daughter was on domperidone and ranitidine from 8 mopnths until she was 4 years and 8 months and they transformed her life!!
She was divine from birth until 5 weeks old, classic chronic reflux and then was the baby from hell. It wasn't until she was 7 months old and refluxed banana into her lungs and briefly stopped breathing that they took my concerns seriously. Then it all jumped into action, barium meals etc and they prescribed her meds. Voila, transformed child. Every time we took her off meds, she would vomit and writhe with pain until 4 and a half. There is a lot of evidence to support a dairy free diet, my sisters second child has the same prob and is now on neocate ( a baby milk made of amino acids and a different medication and is becoming a lovely baby now, 9 months after being born! I don't know where you live,( we don't live in london but travelled there to see him) but Dr John Fysh at Portland Hospital is FANTASTIC with reflux children, and is covered by bupa etc, but would also be worth taking a one off hit for paying for a visit as then your gp can follow on the prescritions etc. I saw so many diff doctors and he was the only one who knew what I was talking about as soon as I walked into his office.

My little one takes omeperazole and it is very good. It also only needs to be taken once a day so is much easier to administer. It is quite expensive though - my GP told me it costs £95 a bottle (which lasts about 3 weeks) which is probably why it is difficult to get GPs to prescribe it.