Guest guest Posted November 25, 2004 Report Share Posted November 25, 2004 Hi, can anyone give some advice my 8 month old daughter suffers from reflux and at present is taking Gaviscon, but it doesn't seem to be working as good as it did, we are due to see our consultant in a few weeks to see about alternative medicine for the reflux. Can anyone tell me what has worked well for their kids or have any advice as I'm at the end of my tether and it is breaking my heart seeing her in pain from it. I would be grateful for any comments for you. Many thanks! Brigitte (mother to Bobbi RSS 8 months) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 25, 2004 Report Share Posted November 25, 2004 Hi Brigitte, There are generally two types of medications used to treat reflux. The first would be Histamine2Antagonists (H2As). This group would include Zantac, Pepcid, and I do believe Gaviscon. This groups of meds work by neutralizing stomach acid. The second group of meds would be Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs). This group would include Prevacid, Prilosec, and Protonix. This group of meds work by sluicing off the pumps that produce acid for the stomach. Most kids seem to do best when on a combination of the two. For example, takes Zantac in the morning, and Prevacid in the evening. The two cannot be taken at the same time of day, but they can both be taken in the space of one day. With an 8 month old, you would want to make sure that you feed her in an upright position, and make sure that she stays more upright for at least 30 minutes following a feeding. A test you might want to have run would be a delayed gastric emptying study. Delayed gastric emptying will increase reflux. Hope this helps! Pat (g-ma to , RSS, 35 months, 23.9#, 32.2 " , G-Tube) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 26, 2004 Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 I remember Dr. Dumont talking at two of the last MAGIC conventions. Dr. Dumont is Director of the Integrative Medicine program at Loyola CHildren's Hospital in Chicago, and also head of their GI division (so perfect at knowing the traditional and homeopathic medications). He gave a couple of ideas for soothing tummies, etc. like peppermint, but was very honest that with regular reflux, there is no homeopathic or alternative medication that is effective. He did say that he didn't like, help -- someone remind me was it Reglan???. There are proton pump inhibitors and acid reducers (did I get that right guys)? I am at my dad's and don't have my notes in front of me. Zantac is most commonly used as a first-round try. Other kids with more severe reflux go on a proton pump inhibitor in the morning, such as Prevacid, and then Zantac at night. Reflux is dangerous. Untreated, reflux can cause the child to develop bad eating habits -- they learn NOT to eat essentially. Reflux can cause damage to the esophagus on up. It can cause aspiration into the lungs, which can develop into recurrent pneumonia, asthma, congestive pulmonary problems, and more. I don't want to scare you too much, because the latter stuff I listed are with kids with severe reflux. But even children with mild, silent reflux (like my daughter) can be severely underweight unless their reflux is treated. I encourage you to find a good pediatric GI physician, preferably at a good Children's Hospital. I think most of us would rather avoid medications to our children. A good GI doctor can help you look at the pros and cons for leaving reflux untreated in your child. Good luck! Salem (, age 8 1/2) > > Hi, can anyone give some advice my 8 month old daughter suffers from > reflux and at present is taking Gaviscon, but it doesn't seem to be > working as good as it did, we are due to see our consultant in a few > weeks to see about alternative medicine for the reflux. Can anyone > tell me what has worked well for their kids or have any advice as > I'm at the end of my tether and it is breaking my heart seeing her > in pain from it. I would be grateful for any comments for you. > > Many thanks! > > Brigitte (mother to Bobbi RSS 8 months) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2004 Report Share Posted November 27, 2004 hi I'm not sure if we spoke before but is your child on gh? If so how many years. how big was she when she started on the growth chart how big is she now? Any side effects? How tall are you and her father? Re: REFLUX > > > I remember Dr. Dumont talking at two of the last MAGIC conventions. > Dr. Dumont is Director of the Integrative Medicine program at Loyola > CHildren's Hospital in Chicago, and also head of their GI division > (so perfect at knowing the traditional and homeopathic medications). > > He gave a couple of ideas for soothing tummies, etc. like peppermint, > but was very honest that with regular reflux, there is no homeopathic > or alternative medication that is effective. He did say that he > didn't like, help -- someone remind me was it Reglan???. > > There are proton pump inhibitors and acid reducers (did I get that > right guys)? I am at my dad's and don't have my notes in front of > me. Zantac is most commonly used as a first-round try. Other kids > with more severe reflux go on a proton pump inhibitor in the morning, > such as Prevacid, and then Zantac at night. > > Reflux is dangerous. Untreated, reflux can cause the child to > develop bad eating habits -- they learn NOT to eat essentially. > Reflux can cause damage to the esophagus on up. It can cause > aspiration into the lungs, which can develop into recurrent > pneumonia, asthma, congestive pulmonary problems, and more. I don't > want to scare you too much, because the latter stuff I listed are > with kids with severe reflux. But even children with mild, silent > reflux (like my daughter) can be severely underweight unless their > reflux is treated. > > I encourage you to find a good pediatric GI physician, preferably at > a good Children's Hospital. I think most of us would rather avoid > medications to our children. A good GI doctor can help you look at > the pros and cons for leaving reflux untreated in your child. > > Good luck! Salem (, age 8 1/2) > > > > > > Hi, can anyone give some advice my 8 month old daughter suffers > from > > reflux and at present is taking Gaviscon, but it doesn't seem to be > > working as good as it did, we are due to see our consultant in a > few > > weeks to see about alternative medicine for the reflux. Can anyone > > tell me what has worked well for their kids or have any advice as > > I'm at the end of my tether and it is breaking my heart seeing her > > in pain from it. I would be grateful for any comments for you. > > > > Many thanks! > > > > Brigitte (mother to Bobbi RSS 8 months) > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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