? aout acid reflux

Not sure if this is where I need to post this or not. Both of my girls have been dianosed with acid reflux, they have been taking Zantac for a little over a month now and even after uping their doses they still act miserable. They have done nothing but scream during and after feedings, they projectile vomit consisantly. They have a appt to get some form of x-ray test done on Monday, but I was wondering what I can do to help keep them comfortable till then???? I've been up with them for the past three days with maybe 4 hrs of sleep total. The only time they are happy and fuss free is when they lay on their belly against my chest, but I can't sleep like that, I've tried.

Also, how do you deal with your babies when they are both screaming at the top of their lungs?? I always feel so bad because I usually have one screaming while I try to console the other. I feel like a horrible mom. Please any advice would be greatly appreciated. :help:

 

Zantac did nothing for my refluxers, so I hope that they will try a different medication with yours, because it doesn't sound like it's working.

Have you tried putting cereal in their bottles to help keep the formula down?

I gave 1ml of Cherry Supreme Mylanta for awhile until we got their meds right. You might ask your ped about doing that. It did help some.

Try keeping them in an upright position always! In a swing or bouncy, or a crib with the head of the mattress raised.

You are not a horrible mom! You have 2 babies with reflux! REFLUX is horrible!! :love0028:

 

The only thing Becky didn't touch on is maybe your formula is part of the problem as well as meds?
What kind do they get?

 

QUOTE(AWerner @ Sep 12 2007, 11:40 PM) [snapback]405599[/snapback]
The only thing Becky didn't touch on is maybe your formula is part of the problem as well as meds?
What kind do they get?



My girls are BFed, I've checked my diet and all, but nothing seems to work.

 

QUOTE(two4one07 @ Sep 13 2007, 08:08 AM) [snapback]405764[/snapback]
My girls are BFed, I've checked my diet and all, but nothing seems to work.


It's good that you are BFing, that is the easiest thing for them to digest. I would definitely call the ped and ask them about the Mylanta while you are working on getting their meds straight. I am sorry you are going through this...reflux, for us, was the hardest thing about the first few months.
:love0028:

 

:hug99: You are not a horrible mom. There is nothing more maddening at that point then having not one, but 2 screaming children. I would definitely ask for another med. Ours were on Zantac and it did nothing for them. We were switched to Prevacid and that really helped with the arching and screaming. Just like the PP keep them upright as much as possible. And we also had to sleep chest to chest for a few weeks.

Rachel

 

Both my boys have reflux also. It is very stressful!!! I was in tears often when bfd'ing and they would pull off in pain and would eat. In fact Jesse still does this. Have you tried pumping and then adding rice to the EBM? They started this in the NICU with the boys and when things get really rough I give them an EBM bottle. At least then they can calm down some. They still reflux, but more stays down so they sleep better. HTH
I hope the DR gets them in for another eval soon. Sounds like Zantac isn't working. J and J are on Prilosec. They should be on Reglan also, but we decided against that drug for them. :hug99:

 

Both my babies have reflux, too. Zantac helped for a little while but they quickly outgrew the maximum dose. Now we're on Nexium & it's so much better. The most important change I made was eliminating all milk & soy from my diet, even the hidden stuff like in breads & salad dressing. Now I can have some milk & soy in moderation, but too much & the reflux definitely flares up. We're hopeful they will outgrow the milk/soy protein intollerance over the next few months. Caffeine can really make reflux flare up, too. I try to limit it to 1 cup of coffee a day.

As far as relief, Grip Water helped some. Our Ped. GI has us giving 2 mL Gaviscon as needed...it works so much better than Mylanta for us. I remember how hard it was when both babies were crying at the same time & you know they're hurting. I spent many hours just sitting w/ both of them in my lap on the couch or taking turns walking around w/ them Sometimes I would even put 1 in the Moby wrap & hold the other in my arms so they could both be held at the same time. Thankfully we're past that stage now.

Definitely explore treatment options w/ your Dr. Meds like Zantac are very weight sensitive & are often underdosed in infants...the right dose can really help. You may need a PPI medication like Prevacid or Nexium, or even a combination of meds.

 

You have gotten some great advice already, I just wanted to send some hugs and say that you are doing great! :hug99: My ds had reflux and it was horrible until we got the right meds. I would definatlely ask about the mylanta before feedings. It wasn't the answer to all the problems but it did provide some relief for him. He was on zantac, then prevacid and finally his "magic" remedy was priolsec. Good luck. I know how hard it is to see your babes in pain, and I hope they give them something that works. :hug99: