Reflux Episodes??

Little Nina is 4 months old and has been on Ranitidine and Gaviscon from 6 weeks old.
The Gaviscon was replaced by AR formula at 3 months due to the Gaviscon loosing effectiveness. Nina also likes the porridge-like thickness of the AR formula.

She is on the max dose of Ranitidine (1.5ml x 2/day) but for over a week now she seems to have a bad episode of relux.

Does reflux come and go??

After introducing the AR formula things seemed so good, with her drinking every bottle offered for 2 or so weeks and minimal discomfort but now things have AGAIN turned to custard and she is not eating at all throughout the day and only sporadic at night.
I manage to keep her hydrated, just.

The doctors are refusing to let me try losec at this point.

Does this sound familiar to you?

Thanks heaps,
Julia

Effectively I'm just getting fobbed off everywhere!

I've been to 2 GP's (at the same practice tho) and they say they can't prescribe losec, only a specialist can! I've heard from other mums and a pead over the phone that this is NOT the case, nonthless they're refusing to give it to me.
I have been once to the acute assesment unit at the hospital and the pead registrar told me he wanted to keep trying the ranitidine at max dose for a while but did admit the ranitidine doesn't work for every baby.

I can't add the Gaviscon anymore because it says on the pack that you can't give it together with AR formula. I'm guessing it makes it too thick....?

The GP has referred me to the outpatient clinic at the hospital but the waiting time is 3 weeks to 2 months and it's just not an option to wait that long. She has only been drinking around 250ml in 24 hours for the last week. That's down from the usual 800-900ml.

I'm desperate but don't know what to do.

I also have the opportunity to see a pead privately (he works at the hospital but sees people before/after work) but it's $250 and I don't have healt insurance....

Oh you poor thing. Those Drs sound terrible. Ranitidine did nothing for my lil girl and I took her straight back to Dr and he prescribed Losec and Gaviscon.

I may have heard it on here, but can't remember. Someone actually videoed their baby having a reflux attack and took it into the Dr and demanded he listen. Could you give that a go?

Other than that, Kellz has a good idea to ring around asking. Also may be speak to your Plunket Nurse and ask if she has any other mother's with refluxy babies and perhaps find out who their Drs are. If not, join a forum on cryingoverspilmilk website and see if any of the ladies are in your area and ask which Drs they know are best and can prescribe Losec.

Kellz, I will try to call PN tomorrow and ask her if she knows another GP. I've been reading on cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz but do really want to get a doctor to approve of the change in meds.

Kazper, last week when I was at the GP again Nina actually had a attack right there and then! She just looked useless and sent me home with the referral to the outpatient clinic......

Thanks, drumstx!

Are you guys saying/thinking that you can combine Gaviscon and AR formula?? The pack says you can't which is why she's not on Gaviscon anymore!

I'm off to the hospital this afternoon to the acute asessment unit.
The plunket manager called the hospital and arranged this for me. She did say to me tho that they seemed 'funny' on the phone and I will have to be really pushy to get what I want.....

Hi Kellz,

it went well and we now have 6 bottles of losec!
I had to really push it and tell them that I want to try it and after consulting their consultant they agreed to it.

I just gave her the first dose on some apple puree and she wasn't impressed, maybe a third went actually down. It was the first time she's had solids.

Julia, try it on pears, it's a little sweeter.

Got the capsules, A&Csmum. I've got some only organic pear/custard jar stage 1. would that be ok too?

Try plain pears- be very weary of the custard baby food- contains dairy- and if shes got such a problem with reflux ahe may be allergic or intollerent to dairy also.
Glad someone finally listened to you. I hope the losec works.

Thanks drumstx!
I was told tho to never ever crush the granules!