speaking of NPO tests....

June 13, 2004

Hello everyone,

Since the topic is flying around I thought I'd chime in. is

supposed to have several tests done: milk scan, upper g.i., and another

pelvic/renal ultrasound. He's never had a milk scan or upper g.i. before

and I'm a little concerned. I know he needs these tests so that we can

get a more accurate picture of what's happening with his reflux and to

evaluate stomach emptying, but again, the whole NPO thing worries me.

Also his ENT wants him to have a CAT scan, meaning he would need to be

fasted for sedation to have the scan done. We have all of these tests

waiting in the wings right now and it just seems like alot to get

accomplished. What's recommended regarding i.v. treatment? Having the

i.v. placed just prior to the test or several hours before the test,

such as overnight?

is not pump-fed at night, he goes from 7p.m. until about 7a.m.

without eating. But to add another few hours on top of that before he

can get any calories worries me. At least the milk scan involves

drinking milk, but will definitely want to EAT!

I'm a little confused about how I should approach this because if

normally fasts for 12 hours at night then should I be concerned? I feel

like the docs will just shrug at me like what's the big problem, he

normally fasts overnight. We haven't really checked his blood sugar

regularly because...well I don't really know why I guess because I

didn't really see signs of hypoglycemia occurring so I figured it wasn't

happening. is 3yrs. 3 mos. old and weighs 25 lbs. (below 0%) and is

36 1/4 " tall (8%).

Any suggestions on how to approach this?

, 's mom

June 15, 2004

- I would recommend that you test his morning urine for

ketones for a couple days straight. If he has no ketones spilling,

he is doing well.

But now you have to determine how much longer from 7am would these

tests be done. His body naturally is used to going the night, it

isn't used to going another 4 hours. Also, your doctor has

explained that the upper GI does not rule out reflux, right? It is

to determine if there are any physical problems in the upper GI

area. Sometimes during this x-ray, reflux will occur, and so a

diagnosis of reflux can be made from an x-ray. But if reflux does

not occur during the x-ray, it does NOT mean that there isn't

reflux, since the x-ray is just a single snapshot in time. Just

want to make sure they told you that, since at the convention every

year, so many parents tell us " our doctor said the upper GI was

normal so he doesn't have reflux. "

I am glad that the gastric emptying test they are doing is using

milk. Dr. H is adamant on that one, because many labs use barium,

and she laughs -- how many kids eat or drink barium every day!

> Hello everyone,

>

> Since the topic is flying around I thought I'd chime in. is

> supposed to have several tests done: milk scan, upper g.i., and

another

> pelvic/renal ultrasound. He's never had a milk scan or upper g.i.

before

> and I'm a little concerned. I know he needs these tests so that we

can

> get a more accurate picture of what's happening with his reflux

and to

> evaluate stomach emptying, but again, the whole NPO thing worries

me.

> Also his ENT wants him to have a CAT scan, meaning he would need

to be

> fasted for sedation to have the scan done. We have all of these

tests

> waiting in the wings right now and it just seems like alot to get

> accomplished. What's recommended regarding i.v. treatment? Having

the

> i.v. placed just prior to the test or several hours before the

test,

> such as overnight?

>

> is not pump-fed at night, he goes from 7p.m. until about 7a.m.

> without eating. But to add another few hours on top of that before

he

> can get any calories worries me. At least the milk scan involves

> drinking milk, but will definitely want to EAT!

>

> I'm a little confused about how I should approach this because if

> normally fasts for 12 hours at night then should I be concerned? I

feel

> like the docs will just shrug at me like what's the big problem, he

> normally fasts overnight. We haven't really checked his blood sugar

> regularly because...well I don't really know why I guess because I

> didn't really see signs of hypoglycemia occurring so I figured it

wasn't

> happening. is 3yrs. 3 mos. old and weighs 25 lbs. (below 0%)

and is

> 36 1/4 " tall (8%).

>

> Any suggestions on how to approach this?

>

> , 's mom

>

June 17, 2004

,

Yes I do understand about the upper GI not being a complete picture of

reflux, and yes, she is looking for any physical abnormalities. The doc

told me that she prefers to have these tests first before a ph probe

since, according to her, the ph probe is more invasive and upleasant.

I'm glad to have these tests done as they have never been ordered before

and I think it will be good to have them on record.

For the milk scan I was told to bring milk and some cereal and they will

mix the dye or whatever they use into the milk. I was able to get the

first morning appts. for both tests, 8 and 8:30 am and at least with the

milk scan he will get to eat and drink. I think I will let have a

very late night snack or possibly even wake him in the middle of the

night to have a little snack.

Thanks for the response !!

, 's mom

Re: speaking of NPO tests....