Any tips with Losec

[binadwill]

Hi
My son has had silent reflux since 4 weeks and been on losec for this. He is now 4 and a half months. Most times the losec seems to be working for the symptoms however occasionally he screams when he swallows it as though it is hurting when it goes down.

My main problem is that of sleep. Even when he is symptom free he only sleeps 30/40 mins at a time through the day, if he goes down at all. Some days he has gone on 30 mins sleep all day.

Night are slowly getting better. They have gone from 30/40 mins to a few hours at a time but still stirring at least four or five times that needs me to get up to him.

I am completely exhausted and trying to hang in there but just wondered if it is ever going to settle down?

Any tips on getting him to sleep for longer than 30 mins?

Thanks heaps
Belinda

[RISA]

Hi Belinda

Welcome to the reflux club of no sleep, I wish I could promise you when things will get easier! It will, I just can’t tell you exactly when. Reflux can be so hard, and worst of all, most people don’t seem to understand that.

Sleep disturbances are really common in reflux children- whether it is a direct result of reflux, or whether it is a behavioural thing. Have you spoken to a child health nurse who might be able to help you figure out what is going on? Sometimes a child health clinic can be really helpful in those areas. They may be able to help you work out if reflux is still an issue, or not.
I think it’s also important you let your doctor know that you are still having issues.

You will probably find as most bubs with reflux, they tend to associate sleep with pain, and it may be worse for them early in the morning, when our bodies are so much more relaxed and we tend to reflux more. Also, I have always been told that acid levels are at their highest between 12mn and 2am, and so many parents say their kids regularly wake up during those times, or close to it! I wonder if that could be a factor too.

If you think it may be reflux related still, it is even more important to talk to your doctor. Also, there are a few things which you can try to help minimise his symptoms, some of which you may have already tried,
• Raise the head of his bed and the head of the change table. You can either get a premade wedge or get one made from clarks rubber or a foam shop, use bricks/phone books, for the cot and you can use pillow / blanket under the change mat.
• Ensure that you keep him raised after a feed, this will help him with refluxing it back up.
• You can now on the market buy wedges which have an inbuilt harness, which some mums use after a feed or during the day, these can be found easily on the internet.

Also as he puts on more weight, the ratio of medication might need to be checked to ensure that it is adequate enough.
You can also speak to your GP / Paed / Pharmacist about using Mylanta, this could help at night.

Is he breastfeed or formula fed? Alot of children are allergic to CMP / SMP (cows milk and soy milk proteins), you can check with your doctors if you think this may be a problem. If you think this could be a problem, it doesnt mean that you have to give up breastfeeding, but it could mean you giving up the reflux foods, dairy and soy, so that he doesnt get any of it into his system. Otherwise if he is formula fed then there are formulas out there like elecare / neocate which cater for children with this condition.

Also thickening feeds can sometimes help with keeping the reflux at bay and helping bub sleep.

You have said that when he takes the medication he screams when it goes down? How are you administering his medication? Are you dissolving it in water and then giving him the solution? Please ensure that you are not crushing the table as this will make it less effective. Also have you thought about using the suspension medication, you can get this from a compound chemist.

If this still goes on I would talk to your GP and have his throat checked out, there may be something there which is not quite right. And having it checked maybe find what your answer is.

Every reflux child is different, ever reflux child reacts differently to medications and the different methods alot of us try. We all try chiropractice, bowen, cranel therapies, naturapathy, anything to help ease the symptoms. I hope you are one of those people who find what helps, no matter what it may be.

I wish I can be of more help to you. You are doing a fantastic job, in a very difficult situation.

Please remember to look after yourself too. Many mums put that to the side, but it is really important for you to take a break and have some time just for you. Do you have any support around you? That can help a great deal, and it can help you feel like you can cope. Please don’t put up with his sleep issues- there may be lots of things you can try, and it takes guts sometimes to say you need help.

Anytime you need more information please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Good luck

Marie
RISA inc.