Teen with reflux after appendicits?

[hippospot]

My DD aged 14 had a ruptured appendix 7 months ago. About a month later she was getting stomach pains from time to time and the GP diagnosed acid reflux. She is still needing to take Gaviscon most days, sometimes up to 3 times a day. Obviously I will call the GP again because I feel this has gone on a long time.

Do you think the reflux was somehow triggered by the appendicitis?

I kind of assumed it was an after-effect of the massive dose of antibiotics she took after the surgery, and the effect on her stomach flora. I have been giving her acidophillus since then. I hoped things would settle down after a while.

Do you have any experience of this and should I ask for a referral to see a gastroenterologist?

This is the child who had NO sensitivities or allergies at all, and has always had a really healthy varied diet. It's tough for her have to avoid all her favourite foods!

Thank you

Unusual that he's been on gaviscon that frequently for that long. Surprised they've not been switched to a regular PPI (something like omeprazole, or lansoprazole) for a few months. Usually that would break the vicious cycle of acid causing irritation causing more reflux. If that didn't work, then it would be getting towards worth trying a gastro referral stage. Probiotics (capsules, not yoghurt drinks) sound like a good idea.

She didn't need to take gaviscon all that often till the last couple of weeks. I've booked GP appt to discuss and will ask about a PPI. Thanks.

As pp suggested ppi are the way to go. Once the cycle breaks it would be easy to pinpoint the root cause.
Also keep in mind that it could be caused by scar tissue inside abdomen caused by surgery. But don't think too much about it right now as scar tissue is difficult to diagnose and the treatment would still be the same. If a continous ppi regime does not help then ask for gastroenterologist. DD took 40 mg omeprazole for 2 months and then a further 20mg for a month to get rid of her reflux. In her case it was hormonal or anxiety and she is same age as your DD.

@Literallyfedup Thank you that is helpful to read your experience.

I spoke to a GP who wants to do bloods and stool test before proceeding. It was so nice to have a GP not fob me off and actually want to explore the root cause. As he said, it's unusual to have reflux at this age. I think in my DD's case hormones are more likely to be the cause than anxiety as she started her period at around the same time the reflux started, and she is honestly not an anxious child.