So the results came back from the Upper GI's we had done last week. Apparently Elizabeth does not have reflux and they want me to take her off her Prevacid. I tried to do this at 9 months and she refused to eat and was puking like crazy. So, I started her back on and a few days later she was eating again and not crying the whole time I tried to feed her. I dont know what to do. I cannot just let her starve until she is dehydrated and half dead, but at the same time how can I prove to them that the medicine makes her better. Also, Thomas has a mild case and they want me to cut his meds back. Again, how can I do that when he still pukes about 20 times a day and cries because he needs Mylanta after every feeding? Maybe I should stop the meds for a week and insist they do another Upper GI. MY guess would be they would get totally different results without the meds in them. Of course in that week they would become dehydrated and very grumpy. I JUST NEED TO CRY!
Thats a tough one. Can you get a second opinion?? It sounds like they definitely still need the meds. Good Luck!
Did they tell you not to give them the meds before the test? Who gave you the test results? Your pedi or the gi? I would call them back and voice your concerns. FWIW my girls were able to go off their reflux meds around 6-7 months, but Ana continued to puke a lot (just not in pain and also continued to gain weight). She also never got dehydrated but we were giving her water in sippies starting around 7 months. I think you have valid concerns about these results if they were taking reflux meds during the test. I think your kiddos are troopers for drinking the barium... I've had that test done at least a dozen times in the last 14 years and ug I dread it every time. :hug99:
QUOTE(Leighann @ Apr 22 2008, 11:37 AM) [snapback]733349[/snapback] Did they tell you not to give them the meds before the test? Who gave you the test results? Your pedi or the gi? I would call them back and voice your concerns. FWIW my girls were able to go off their reflux meds around 6-7 months, but Ana continued to puke a lot (just not in pain and also continued to gain weight). She also never got dehydrated but we were giving her water in sippies starting around 7 months. I think you have valid concerns about these results if they were taking reflux meds during the test. I think your kiddos are troopers for drinking the barium... I've had that test done at least a dozen times in the last 14 years and ug I dread it every time. :hug99: They are great babies and great little troopers. The GI faxed them to my PED who scanned them and emailed them to me. I know that they still have awful reflux, it was only a few weeks ago I tried taking E off and it was a disaster. SCREAMING all the time. So not fun! Mine cant drink water, it makes them puke as it is too thin. I still have to majorly thicken formula and milk to keep it in them. At the Zoo on Friday I gave Thomas 2 sips of water and his whole breakfast from 5 hours before came out! uggggggggg!
I would definitely voice your concerns. Just remember that you are the Momma and you make decisions about whats best. Hang in there. I think they still need the meds based on your descriptions.
QUOTE(Tammy Fine @ Apr 22 2008, 03:31 PM) [snapback]733329[/snapback] So the results came back from the Upper GI's we had done last week. Apparently Elizabeth does not have reflux and they want me to take her off her Prevacid. I tried to do this at 9 months and she refused to eat and was puking like crazy. So, I started her back on and a few days later she was eating again and not crying the whole time I tried to feed her. I dont know what to do. I cannot just let her starve until she is dehydrated and half dead, but at the same time how can I prove to them that the medicine makes her better. Also, Thomas has a mild case and they want me to cut his meds back. Again, how can I do that when he still pukes about 20 times a day and cries because he needs Mylanta after every feeding? Maybe I should stop the meds for a week and insist they do another Upper GI. MY guess would be they would get totally different results without the meds in them. Of course in that week they would become dehydrated and very grumpy. I JUST NEED TO CRY! Tammy, My Gi says that the Upper GI is not an accurate way to tell if a child has reflux or not. They can see the child refluxing but they can't say how much and how many times with accuracy. It all depends on how good the radiologist is. The most accurate (and invasive) way is to do an endoscopy and ph probe. With the ph probe, they can measure the acidity and let you know if the meds are working or not needed at all. The mere fact that Elizabeth seems to be in pain means that she needs meds. Or it could also be that she has oral aversion. As for Thomas, the only way to know for sure how severe his reflux is, is through a PH probe test. I think finding a new GI and ped is in order. I'm sorry you're going through this. My son J has developed major feeding aversion and hypersensitive gag reflex because of reflux. I REALLY HATE REFLUX AND HOW IT MAKES BABIES SUFFER. IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT FOR KIDS TO SUFFER THIS WAY! BIG HUGS Tammy, Elizabeth and Thomas!
I don't know anything about reflux, but was wondering if it is possible to slowly shrink the dosages. This way, it won't be so hard for the babies and you will be able to prove to the doctors that they need it when they puke after a smaller dose. Good luck and lots of hugs to your and your little troopers!
Tammy, I'm so sorry you're going through this. I agree with everyone else; call your doctor and tell her that you can't take your kids off of the medicine. Tell your doctor that even if your kids don't officially have reflux, the medicine works. Explain how E cried and refused to eat without the meds just a few weeks ago. If your doctor is any good she will work with you! Good luck...
I am so sorry you and your little ones are going through this. Both of my boys are on Zantac. I keep wondering how long we will be on it . They are 4 months old....2 months adjusted. Call your dr. discuss it in length, also don't be afraid to seek a second opinion! Missy
Tammy, :hug99: I was in your shoes a year ago! :hug99: My son had the upper GI thing done and it came back that he didn't have reflux. ardon: The GI doctor didn't want to give him meds, because he tried to talk me into thinking it was "something else" that was wrong. :nea: <_< I went in his office and demanded meds because I KNEW it was reflux, and boy was I mad and screaming. :angry: In the time period that they didn't want to give me meds until they did, my son lost one lb., didn't eat and was nearly hospitalized for dehydration, not to mention I had gotten depressed and very upset. After many talks, calls, whatever... I took him in with a bottle and showed them what he did, and the doctor gave me meds. Honestly, get a second opinion, do whatever you think is right to not have your little ones in pain. :cray: They don't know EVERYTHING...they tried to tell me his high palate was to blame...that he had neurological issues...all things I knew were not right!! Good luck to you Momma! :hug99:
Call me CRAZY but I would sooner find another Doctor than take my kids off of medicine I felt that they needed. No doctor is going to tell me that I do not know what I know!! No one can MAKE you do anything. Remember that. FWIW- I totally believe you and I know that my kids would probably not be dx w/ reflux but w/0 Zantac- we are a mess! Call it placebo effect-- call it whatever-- but KEEP US ON IT!
QUOTE(TwinLove @ Apr 22 2008, 06:02 PM) [snapback]733622[/snapback] Tammy, :hug99: I was in your shoes a year ago! :hug99: My son had the upper GI thing done and it came back that he didn't have reflux. ardon: The GI doctor didn't want to give him meds, because he tried to talk me into thinking it was "something else" that was wrong. :nea: <_< I went in his office and demanded meds because I KNEW it was reflux, and boy was I mad and screaming. :angry: In the time period that they didn't want to give me meds until they did, my son lost one lb., didn't eat and was nearly hospitalized for dehydration, not to mention I had gotten depressed and very upset. After many talks, calls, whatever... I took him in with a bottle and showed them what he did, and the doctor gave me meds. Honestly, get a second opinion, do whatever you think is right to not have your little ones in pain. :cray: They don't know EVERYTHING...they tried to tell me his high palate was to blame...that he had neurological issues...all things I knew were not right!! Good luck to you Momma! :hug99: Oh man, you put up a good fight! Tammy, I think maybe going in there with a bottle to show them what happens after a feeding would be a good way to get the point across! I HATE when doctors second guess moms. Obviously we know our kids better than they do, and kids are not textbooks! Ugh, I'm so sorry you and your kids have to go through this. Reyna
An upper GI is not an accurate way to tell if they have reflux, that test is to make sure that all the organs are working/flowing/emptying properly. Barium is also a thick liquid so of course they didnt throw that up, itsprobably thicker than the milk you give them. I am sorry you are having a bad day! I would definitely talk to your doctor and possibly get a second opinion. I hope everything turns out ok. :hug99: (BTW, I saw my pedi today and she said that Maia does not weigh enough yet to warrant an increase in her prevacid)
