Preparing reflux checklist for Pedi

Denesdia

So, Zoey has seen her Pedi one time and has a follow up in two weeks.  We already talked about the fact that she has reflux, but the doc wanted to see how it might resolve or get better without medicine.  I have a growing list of behaviors that I am attributing to the reflux, but I wanted to know what all of you observed in your LO's, and how bad it had to get before medication was prescribed.  In short, we are having Zoey sleep in a bouncer chair or swing (can't lie flat), she is constantly gurgling in her nose and throat, she is incessently grunting and "clearing' her throat, and she has hiccups and spit up more often than not.  This seems so uncomfortable for her, I just wish it would go away!  Thanks for any thoughts.

mrsmikey

Sounds like you have enough for treatment to me.  When DS was first diagnosed with reflux, we tried adding a little rice cereal to his milk to see if that would work before we started meds.  But the cereal upset his tummy, so he was put on Prevacid.  If your pedi has already agreed that she has reflux and it's not getting better on its own, then I don't think you'll have any problems getting her meds. 

allison_hope

Bella has/had the same symptoms you mentioned (gurgling in her throat, coughing, hiccups, spitting up) but also would cry and gasp for air as she ate & pull her head away and arch her back. We tilted the mattress in her crib and she sleeps in her boppy or swing for naps to keep her upright.

We had her on Prevacid but are switching medicines (today actually) because Bella also has MSPI and apparently there are milk proteins in Prevacid which seem to upset her belly.

Good luck! Our doctor also waited 2 weeks before giving her medicine, but only because we were trying to diagnose MSPI at the same time so were switching to Neocate.

mek10976

Simon had bradies in the NICU from his reflux and then when we got him home, it got so much worse.  He had projectile spit-ups that would equal an entire feed, screaming, arching his back, shaking his head back and forth, gurgling in the nose, and even a short period of weight loss from all the spitting up.

He came home on Prevacid and Reglan, but after 2 weeks of reflux hell, the pulmonologist adjusted his meds, which made a world of difference.  Around 3-4 months we began weaning him off his meds because we didn't like the idea of him being on so many meds and were concerned about the side effects of Reglan.  Now we use rice cereal to thicken his formula.  It seems to work well and he does spit up, but no more than a regular baby.