Help! When does the pain end for the baby? I've been in tears...

[Anonymous]

we noticed a difference in 48 hours but I also stopped breast feeding (not that I am recommending that) and had to put him on nutramagin (sp?) formula so I think our son's quick response was due to the combination of both methods.

good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP - Hope you and your baby are doing better. Almost exactly a year ago, our then 2-month-old son was admitted to Children's after he began spitting up blood. It was scary as hell. He had been on Zantac, but -- as in your situation -- it wasn't working. We had an appointment with a pediatric GI, but their waiting times were so long that we ended up in the ER before the appointment. Our GI specialist, Dr. Ali Bader, is in the practice at Children's, and took excellent care of our son. He was on intravenous Protonix during his stay in the hospital (about 3 days), and then was discharged on Prevacid solutabs (15 mg). A good pharmacist can also mix Prevacid in a compound if your baby resists the solutabs (as ours did). Our son underwent multiple tests and an upper GI endoscopy during the hospital stay as well. He was greatly helped by the Prevacid, and by being on Elecare, a special hypoallergenic amino-acid-based formula. We tilted his crib mattress by placing rolled-up towels underneath the head, and towels in a three-sided formation on the top, covered by a blanket, so that he could sleep comfortably at an angle and would not slip down.

There is an organization for parents dealing with reflux -- I don't remember the name, but if you google "GERD" with reflux and organization, it'll probably come up. Some things on that site were quite helpful - practical suggestions for how to deal with things post-discharge.

One year later our son is still on Prevacid as a precautionary measure, but is happily eating almost everything in site and thriving. We are amazed when we look at him, and then think back a year ago to our 8-pound baby hooked up on IVs in the hospital.

OP, you are a wonderful parent for following your instincts and having the foresight to have a GI engaged, and to know when something was wrong. And your baby is a tough, strong, trooper who knows that you love him and are looking out for him every way you can. Please keep remembering that, and hang in there.

The hospital will take help you take great care of your baby, and get him out of the woods and on a path to growing and thriving. Best to all of you.

[Anonymous]

thinking of you, OP. hope your little guy gets to feeling better soon. i can only imagine how you are feeling right now. <hugs>

[Anonymous]

OP-hang in there! The first 4-5 months of my daughter's life were very stressful due to her reflux but I promise that once you find the right combination of meds it does get better!!!! She's now 2, still on a daily dose of prevacid, and a completely happy, smart, thriving little girl!

If you do switch to a formula such as nutramagin (sp?)......our pediatrician wrote a letter of medical necessity to our insurance company and they covered the formula in full her entire first year. The formula is pretty expensive so it was a huge help financially.....it was mailed to the house in bulk every couple of months....

[Anonymous]

OP, thinking of you guys...

[Anonymous]

OP, pulling for you and your little one! Please update us when you can. Which hospital are you at? Can you order pizza? Any pizza place will make you a cheeseless pizza these days. I know, I know, why bother, but it's food and I pretty much guarantee better than the hospital food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - Hope you and your baby are doing better. Almost exactly a year ago, our then 2-month-old son was admitted to Children's after he began spitting up blood. It was scary as hell. He had been on Zantac, but -- as in your situation -- it wasn't working. We had an appointment with a pediatric GI, but their waiting times were so long that we ended up in the ER before the appointment. Our GI specialist, Dr. Ali Bader, is in the practice at Children's, and took excellent care of our son. He was on intravenous Protonix during his stay in the hospital (about 3 days), and then was discharged on Prevacid solutabs (15 mg). A good pharmacist can also mix Prevacid in a compound if your baby resists the solutabs (as ours did). Our son underwent multiple tests and an upper GI endoscopy during the hospital stay as well. He was greatly helped by the Prevacid, and by being on Elecare, a special hypoallergenic amino-acid-based formula. We tilted his crib mattress by placing rolled-up towels underneath the head, and towels in a three-sided formation on the top, covered by a blanket, so that he could sleep comfortably at an angle and would not slip down.

There is an organization for parents dealing with reflux -- I don't remember the name, but if you google "GERD" with reflux and organization, it'll probably come up. Some things on that site were quite helpful - practical suggestions for how to deal with things post-discharge.

One year later our son is still on Prevacid as a precautionary measure, but is happily eating almost everything in site and thriving. We are amazed when we look at him, and then think back a year ago to our 8-pound baby hooked up on IVs in the hospital.

OP, you are a wonderful parent for following your instincts and having the foresight to have a GI engaged, and to know when something was wrong. And your baby is a tough, strong, trooper who knows that you love him and are looking out for him every way you can. Please keep remembering that, and hang in there.

The hospital will take help you take great care of your baby, and get him out of the woods and on a path to growing and thriving. Best to all of you.

You are the first parent I have seen who also went through that, with an infant spitting up blood. My 2 month old did the same thing. We eventually were hospitalized, did the upper endoscopy and protonix in the hospital, and then Prevacid after. He's now a very active and healthy boy. He is a bit of a picky eater, but other than that his eating is fine. I hope it goes as well for you in the upcoming year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, pulling for you and your little one! Please update us when you can. Which hospital are you at? Can you order pizza? Any pizza place will make you a cheeseless pizza these days. I know, I know, why bother, but it's food and I pretty much guarantee better than the hospital food.

OP here. It has been such a difficult few days with very little sleep. My baby is so lethargic that he's sleeping all the time. It's nearly impossible to feed him when he has learned to push his tongue to block incoming food. Unfortunately, I have been so worried that it is nearly impossible to sleep/rest when he does b/c I am watching to see any sign of rooting since I don't want to miss any opportunity to feed him (when he is hungry, he doesn't cry anymore. He just makes quiet panting noise and sucks his hand.)

The docs put him on a double combo of zantac and prevacid. He had vomited it out during the first two day at the hospital so now they are administering it via his iv. So technically he has only had the full dosage for 36 hours. They are also proactively treating him for possible candida so he's on another med. His intake has not improved much. I have been advised to let others feed him to eliminate the chance that he is not feeding b/c of me. It is very depressing to know that you can't even feed your own child b/c he might associate his pain with you. However, I frankly don't care who feeds him as long as he bounces back. Unfortunately, others have not had luck either.

Today, they are removing fluids from his iv to force him to feel thirsty. They are also letting him dictate how much he wants to eat. So far he takes in 1-2 ounces every 3 hours. The doctors are hoping he will feel less intimidated by the feeding and will naturally want to eat more tomorrow. I pray that is the case.

I talked to my 2-year-old son yesterday and it broke my heart when he asked me why I've been at the hospital for so long, and that he misses me. I pray that things will get better soon and that we could go home.

[Anonymous]

Oh, OP, we're all thinking of you.

You are a GREAT mom and you are doing what you need to for your baby. He's going to get better very soon, I bet you anything, and in a few short weeks, he won't remember anything about this. Babies have very short memories. He will still want to be fed by you. Your 2 year old doesn't understand very much of course, but that can't be helped. You are doing what you have to do. Big hug.

[Anonymous]

More positive vibes from another reflux parent who's been following this thread and feeling for your family!! Just keep in your mind that one day this whole ordeal will seem like a bad dream and your healthy kids will only remember what a great loving parent you have been. Our thoughts are with you.

[Anonymous]

You sound like a great mom and my heart goes out to you. I'm sorry this is happening. I'm VERY sure that doctor is off his rocker about your baby associating pain with you - try it, but I bet that's not the issue and if it is, baby will figure out quickly that you're crossing oceans to help him! Both of your children are luckly to have such a wonderful mommy.

Hugs to you!!!!!

[Anonymous]

OP, thanks for taking the time to update us... we are all pulling for you and your family. You are a wonderful parent to *both* your children.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am praying for your baby too. Thank you for taking the time to update us.

[Anonymous]

OP - Stay strong. Your baby is in good hands: yours.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry things are such a struggle still OP. Best wishes to you and your little ones. Have they mentioned the possibility of doing a scope to get more information?