posted August 16, 2004 03:22 PM
Hope I don't make anyone sick or put you to sleep, cause this might be lengthy.
My 5 year old son has been riddled with problems since birth. He was born with Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease, along with a malformed skull that had to be reshaped as a baby.
Anyway, he has had a history of throwing up at night atleast 2-3 times a week, sometimes more. He had bad sinus infections and problems, and the Dr. had us get his tonsils and adnoids removed thinking this was a major cause of the vomiting (having all that drainage hitting his tummy at night).
Well, he had that done in March, and he is still having the vomiting episodes. Last years upper GI showed no GERD activity. But I believe it is because it was done in the day, and he never has a problem with it during the day. Only when he goes to bed at night. He starts with this little cough, and I know within an hour, he will be throwing up. Today the Dr. is calling in Zantax to try, though they say they doubt it will help him. They wanted to put him on Prevacid, but a month of that is $140 and I just can't afford it on top of his sisters meds and medical appts for Epilepsy. Anyone have a child with GERD? Have any ideas on advice on what will help? He won't stay sitting up in bed, so that's out. And I try not to allow him to eat after 6:30 pm at night, but he is still throwing up... I'm tired, he's tired, and my washer is tired of doing laundry at 2 am...lol!! Thanks,
posted August 16, 2004 03:24 PM
Oh wow, Heather...I'm so sorry you and your little man are going through this! I don't have any words of wisdom, but I'm sending lots of hugs and prayers your way!
My little guy never had GERD, but he did have an acid reflux problem of sorts his first year. Zantac did work for him, if that helps?
posted August 16, 2004 05:34 PM
My MIL used to get her Prevacid free from the company and she has GERD. They don't advertise it, but they provide free medications to people who can't otherwise afford it. You also have to have a pre-cancerous condition I think.
Ask your Dr., because you have to apply for it. It's not a guarantee that you'll get it, but can't hurt to ask.
posted August 17, 2004 01:44 AM
My DH has GERD, he takes the generic drug Omeprazole. Prevacid is the "New" drug, but it just has a few ingredients changed that does not make its performance any less effective. The drug company that makes the original's patent was running ...out, so they changed a few inactive ingredients and walaaaa, a new and "improved" drug. Don't you just hate how drug companies operate, so expensive here, and dirt cheap in Canada, and Mexico, obviously in bed with the Government, sorry, just venting (sigh). I really am going somewhere with this, hmmmmmm, my DH use to get his meds in Mexico, for a fraction of the cost, that was before he got his insurance, so now it's $7, a month. Good Luck to you, I understand your frustration.
posted August 17, 2004 10:43 AM
Hmmm... a fraction of the cost? As in a fraction that would pay for a road trip to go see the cabana boys? Woo hoo, let's rent a camper and head for the boarder!
posted August 17, 2004 11:53 AM
My heart goes out to you! Nothing worse then not being able to help solve this mystery! Have you gone for a second opinion? Is the doctor specialized in this? I hope you get to the bottom of it. Poor little guy! Mary
posted August 17, 2004 12:04 PM
Thanks to all of you that replied, and those of you that emailed me privately about it.. He took the new meds last night and slept like a top! Gotta get these new business ventures off the ground so we can keep this stuff around..sleeping all the way through the night was great!
posted August 17, 2004 12:54 PM
My 3 month old Hannah has reflux. She is taking Pepcid and it has helped she isnt throwing up everytime you move her.
I also have to put cereal in her bottle, which is now mostly formula. I was breastfeeding and still do 1-2 times a day but she chokes when laying down to breastfeed. I am pumping to give her as much breast milk as I can but my supply is slowly going south. which makes me very sad.
The dr thinks she will outgrow this...Did they tell you that with your son?
I totally feel for you. Christian was the exact same way. I breastfed all my kids, but he couldn't nurse past 1 month old, his stomach couldn't handle it, and I had to give him a very expensive perscription only formula that smelled awful!! I slept on the couch sitting up with him for the first year of his life.
They did say he would grow out of it, most do by now, however his stomach is still very weak. The specialist said in extreme cases, surgery is required, we were lucky he didn't need that..
Hang in there, I know how exhausting it can be, but every year it gets better. There is an onlibe group for parents of GERD that we belonged to back when he was an infant..do a search for it..they were all great and very comforting..
posted August 17, 2004 04:56 PM
My son has stress uclers and takes zantac...it helps except when a stomach virus goes around and he gets it...usually worse than others...I will be praying for you...
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posted August 16, 2004 03:22 PM
I don't have any words of wisdom, but I'm sending lots of hugs and prayers your way!