My daughter has gerd. She now also has food that pushes up into the esophagus.
She was diagnosed with gerd about a year ago and was put on altosec. Lately she has become nauseous after eating, has stomach cramps and sometimes has pains in her throat. At first the altosec did its job but lately since developing these other symptoms she has had to change her medicine. She went to see a gastroentorologist the other day. He listened to the newer symptoms and has put her on Vomidon which makes the food go through her stomach much faster. She now is starting to loose weight. He has also prescribed Pantocid 40mg to be taken twice a day. She watches what she eats and tries to eat six small meals a day which is not always possible. She takes the vomidon early in the morning. Some days the medications works fine and other days she starts to feel nauseous in the afternoon and the food starts pushing up into the esophagus. The doctor said the acid reflux is not the matter it is the volume in her
stomach that is the problem. She was never tested for esophageal manometry and to see if there might be a problem with the sphincter of the stomach. We are both worried that this might be something serious. She also avoids orange juice, tomatoes, coffee, spicy foods, to much bread etc.
Hello Desperate,
I hear your worry. It is never easy on the moms when our children are in pain. I am glad you have some new medications to try and your daughter has seen a gastroenterologist. Unfortunately, reflux treatment takes some time and some trial and error. You and the doctor will need to work together to find the best treatment plan. It will greatly help the doctor if you follow the treatment plan (new medications) for a few weeks. At the same time, keep a journal of your daughter's symptoms. I find that is is useful to keep a small notepad in the kitchen and just write down a note or check off a symptom each day. If your daughter is old enough, she can help with this too when she is at school or sports.
If your doctor is concerned about the amount your daughter is eating at each meal, take a day (often a weekend works better when you are all home) and keep a food diary. Estimate how much was eaten at each meal. It doesn't have to be measured and weighted. For example: one apple, 6 oz juice box, one cup cereal with milk, etc.
Call or visit the doctor again so you can update him/her and also discuss your data.
The new guidelines for the treatment of children with GERD from NASPGHAN state that short term treatment with medication should be used and evaluated for its effectiveness. If the medication and treatments are not working, a new treatment can be tried or a test may be needed to look at other concerns.
Please let me know how I can help you as you search for answers. My daughter has similar issues and I know how frustrating it can be.
Jan Gambino
The Reflux Mom
www.refluxmom.com
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all that is a load.
Your daughter has a easily corrected mechanical problem called a hiatal hernia.
find a DC whom does AK!!!!
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desperate
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 04:37 AM
Jan Gambino
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Hello!
Sounds like you are doing your homework. That is good. I just want to caution you about diagnosing a medical problem on the internet-it is still important to work with the doctor to get a firm diagnosis. I know that I have diagnosed medical issues on the internet too...you know the doctor get annoyed that we are all staying up late on the internet!
So, if you have concerns or the symptoms worsen before March 2010 (ouch), please take your concerns to the primary care doctor or the previous doctor.
Jan
desperate
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 02:57 PM
Hi Jan,
Thank you for your contributions I really appreciate it. You are quite right the diagnosis in the end lies with the specialist. I try to find out as much as possible regarding the problem so that I can understand it properly and know what the doctor is talking about when we eventually go to visit him. I am keeping a watchful eye on
the situation and realise that there are variables. I also believe in common sense and know that doctors are also human and can make mistakes, Should my daughter's problem worsen before March 2010 I WILL MOST DEFINITELY seek assistance as ones health is of great importance as well as quality of life.
Hope your daughter's health has improved and everything of the best for her.
Desparate
Im 16 and suffer from gerd. What she is dealing with can be common. When the acid goes up the esophagus it causes burning in the throat and allows food to go up the esophagus too. Try taking zantac, rolaids, tums, or mylanta before eating, it helps some. If the problem dont go away, you may have to get an endoscopy procedure. It seems scary, but ive had 2 and its not that bad. Its hard to deal with i know, mine hasnt gotten better and i have to get surgery, so watch her and get her checked regularly!
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desperate
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 03:04 AM
Hi there, Im sorry that you have to go for surgery. The doctor has changed her medication in the meantime. Some days it is better and other days not so good. She also takes her medication about an half hour before she eats and is on Nexium now. She is going to go for an endoscopy in the New Year but it seems that surgery is going to be necessary eventually. But all the best to you and I trust that after your surgery your lifestyle will be so much better and that your surgery is a great success.
Thank you for anwering my query. I spent the whole day yesterday on the internet comparing her symptoms with any other stomach/indigestion ailments I could find. I eventually came to the conclusion as you so rightfully stated a hiatal hernia.
When she visited the enterologist a few weeks ago she told him that her reflux is not bothering her one bit, only the food that is pushing up in the esophagus and that she
has a burning sensation just below he breast bone. (that is exactly where the LES sits). He changed her medicine and said that if she is not better within two months he will have to do a nissenband on her stomach. As she is only 23 years old we both
decided that is a bit radical there must be another solution.
Yesterday morning first thing I made an appointment with another specialist and he told me he does ALL the necessary tests and then decides on a plan of action. Her
previous doctor did a endoscope ?? last year where he then ascertained she has
GERD and gave her medication for it. Nothing else was done. She has asthma and I read yesterday, while surfing the net, that the medicine used for asthma opens the airways but then also relaxes the LES. So it all starts to make sense. She could only get an appointment with the second doctor in March 2010. But as he apparently is the best in his filed we decided to wait for this date. Kind regards from South Africa