Babies: 0 - 3 Months

Severe reflux - advice?

Our DD has severe reflux and is on Prevacid and Zantac, and on Similac Alimentum formula, and still suffering. Sometimes she will just scream and claw at her mouth because it hurts her so much. Pediatrician said she doesn't know what else to do, and the next step will be gastroenterologist and an endoscopy. A friend who is an internal medicine doc has warned that if we go that route, the gastro is likely to recommend surgery.

So my question.....does anyone have a LO with severe reflux, and you have found a way to keep it under control? We are looking for anything to keep baby from more intensive medical interventions. Thanks! It's so hard to see her suffer so much....

Re: Severe reflux - advice?

  • I am so sorry your LO feels so badly! DD is fine on the prevacid, but if it wasn't working for her I wouldn't hesitate to take her to the gastroenterologist. He is far more likely to have suggestions for what will help beyond just surgery. And he should be able to tell you why; if you know why it is happening it is easier to treat it.

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  • DS is on Prevacid and is on Nutramigen. Our next step is also the gastro. Unfortunately sometimes to make them better thats the route we have to take. Hope your LO feels better soon.
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  • You need to take her to a pediatric GI. They are the specialists in this area, and will have more knowledge than just a general pediatrician. Just because your friend said they would recommend surgery, then so what? You don't have to agree to it.

    Is your LO on Alimentum because of a dairy intolerance? Because Alimentum still has dairy proteins in it, which very senstive babies can still react to. Your LO may require an amino acid based formula such as Elecare or Neocate. Something else that a Pediatric GI could help you with.

    We have an appt. with a Pediatric GI on Feb. 7. I am greatly looking forward to it, because they are going to be more knowledgable about acid reflux and MSPI than a general pediatrician. And if they recommend something that I don't agree with, then I say no. And I can always get a second opinion as well.

    If my child is in pain, I'm going to keep seeking out medical help until the problem is solved.

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  • imageJoannaJes:

    You need to take her to a pediatric GI. They are the specialists in this area, and will have more knowledge than just a general pediatrician. Just because your friend said they would recommend surgery, then so what? You don't have to agree to it.

    If my child is in pain, I'm going to keep seeking out medical help until the problem is solved.

    Thanks for your input everyone. I agree. We will go to the gastro if necessary. (We have only been on our current regimen for a week or so, but it isn't working). I just wanted to see if there were any stories of people switching formula, or some easy "just try this...." before we go down the more intensive route. Once you get started with specialists, it's test after test after test...which we will do if necessary. It would be nice if it weren't! :( Working in medicine, I hear all the horror stories. I know of an infant who had a colostomy, and it turned out that it was just bad reflux after all.

  • I agree with JoannaJes, go see a ped GI if it's MSPI you'll probably need to switch to EleCare or Neocate.  Often reflux can be caused or made worse by a milk protein allergy and it sounds like your LO could be having difficulty breaking down the milk proteins in Alimentum. Elemental formulas are made up of individual amino acids (the building blocks of protein). This makes them 100% hypoallergenic and the easiest formula for LOs with allergies to digest

     In my personal experience my LO has multiple food protein allergies and I've had to eliminate dairy/soy/eggs/tomato completely from my diet (I'm BFing) in order for his GI symptoms to go away.  He was having blood in his stools.  Anyway, good luck and let us know what the doc says!

    Rachel Mom to 3 boys Augustboy02 - Sensational Sensory Kid Decemberboy04 -former reflux baby Augustboy10 - MFPI baby
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