Colic or not colic - that is the question???

[Ivfmum78]

Hi Guys,
New to bub hub and was wondering if any of you have experienced your bubs constantly regurgitating and what you have done to reduce/stop it? :barf:

I have a 15 week old bub who constantly regurgitates even though I am doing all the normal stuff - raising her cot, holding her up to feed, holding her up after feeding (I'm holding her up so much she hates to lay down now!). She regurgitates after feeding, if I move her about too much any time, any tummy time, after being changed, when I get her up from a sleep. Our house looks and smells like baby vomit! :yes:

She has got the symptoms of reflux - unsettled during the day, general grumpiness, hiccups, not digging tummy time AT ALL, and of course throwing up, but when I went to my doctor she just shrugged it off and prescribed Zantax which gives bub the runs and said that I did the right thing by changing formula to Karicare AR???? (I wonder sometimes why they get paid?). I really don't want to medicate her if possible..

When she throws up mostly it looks like milk/saliva or water and milky flakes? Its not projectile but I am going through so many nappies and she isn't happy :no:

Any other suggestions/possible reasons why?

[EdensMama]

Hi there!

So sorry to hear you're having a bit of a rough time.

From what you've described it sounds like classic reflux. I understand your hesitation to medicate, however I think getting onto a half decent reflux med like Losec or Nexium could be worthwhile until bubs no longer experiences discomfort. Its always important to avoid any behavioural response that can come from the pain of reflux, which can make things worse. Meds will also allow any damage to the oesophagus to heal. Meds won't stop the regurgitation or projectile vomitting, but it will eliminate the pain.

You might only need to be on them a matter of months, but IMHO it is so worthwhile.

I agree with what you're saying about GP's - in our situation I had two GP's ignore us so badly we ended up having to have DD in hospitalised her reflux was so severe.

It really sounds like you've tried everything you can think of to eliminate as a possibility, so, if I was in your shoes, I would go back to a GP and ask for a referral to a Paed, I would ask the GP for a script for a better reflux medication like Losec or Nexium while you're waiting to see the Paed, and I would then ask Paed to test for any allergies or intolerances, as a Milk Protein Intolerance could also give these symptoms. Just so you cover all your bases.

I hope this is helpful in someway, and I hope it makes sense.

Big hugs to you- reflux stuff and symptoms aren't the funnest things around... :hugs::hugs:

[mummyjac]

Yep :iagree:definitely reflux. Zantac quite often doesn't work. You need something like losec, nexium or zoton. Keep pestering the drs til they listen, it will be worth it.

[Wobbles]

Completely agree with the above two posts. You need to get her to someone who actually knows what they're talking about. Try and get a referral to a paediatrician, Zantac did absolutely nothing for my son, neither did gaviscon, and so he's been on Losec since he was 6 weeks old. He's now 4 months.
It turned out he has a cows milk protein allergy as well, which is occurs very commonly along side reflux and has special formula as a result.
He's now doing awesomely and we can actually lay him on his back now without him spewing all over the place. He's also gone from spewing every couple of hours and after every feed, to spewing once maybe ever two or three weeks. He's a much happier little boy, always smiling and giggling, such a huge change.

Also we had to thicken his feeds which it sounds like it might be a good idea for you to try. We were using karicare food thickener to start with but after the cows milk protein allergy finding, we had to change because it actually contains soy protein and he was still reacting to that. So we use an organic baby rice to thicken his feeds. Initially we had to thicken a fair bit but have been able to reduce the amount now as his chest and stomach muscles are getting tighter, the sphincter is tightening and so he isn't needing so much thickener. it helps them to keep the feed down if it's thicker.

I know you're reluctant to medicate, however, babies can have a hole burnt into their eosophagus from the reflux if it is severe, and imagine how uncomfortable it is for your bub, how painful it must be. I don't like medicating such a young baby either, however, it's been the best thing we've done.
And it does get better with age as well.

Good luck and i hope things settle soon.

[Ivfmum78]

Hi there!

So sorry to hear you're having a bit of a rough time.

From what you've described it sounds like classic reflux. I understand your hesitation to medicate, however I think getting onto a half decent reflux med like Losec or Nexium could be worthwhile until bubs no longer experiences discomfort. Its almost important to avoid any behavioural response that can come from the pain of reflux, which can make things worse. Meds will also allow any damage to the oesophagus to heal. Meds won't stop the regurgitation or projectile vomitting, but it will eliminate the pain.

You might only need to be on them a matter of months, but IMHO it is so worthwhile.

I agree with what you're saying about GP's - in our situation I had two GP's ignore us so badly we ended up having to have DD in hospitalised her reflux was so severe.

It really sounds like you've tried everything you can think of to eliminate as a possibility, so, if I was in your shoes, I would go back to a GP and ask for a referral to a Paed, I would ask the GP for a script for a better reflux medication like Losec or Nexium while you're waiting to see the Paed, and I would then ask Paed to test for any allergies or intolerances, as a Milk Protein Intolerance could also give these symptoms. Just so you cover all your bases.

I hope this is helpful in someway, and I hope it makes sense.

Big hugs to you- reflux stuff and symptoms aren't the funnest things around... :hugs::hugs:

Thanks so much for all of this advice. Being a first time mum I don't want to seem paranoid or overly fussy over a bit of vomit but at the same time I don't want to jepordize bub's health over it.

After reading your post and the other replies, I have decided that a change of GP's is probably the best thing (I have been unsatisfied for a while and this is just the icing on the cake) and have got a recommendation from BH for a good one so I will have a chat to him about what you are suggesting. Thanks again... Its just so nice to be able to talk to someone who understands - I will let you know how it goes! :hugs:

[Ivfmum78]

Yep :iagree:definitely reflux. Zantac quite often doesn't work. You need something like losec, nexium or zoton. Keep pestering the drs til they listen, it will be worth it.

Thanks! I am going to do just that - just wanted to be sure that I wasn't just being an overly anxious first time mum is all :D - thanks for the support!!

[Ivfmum78]

Completely agree with the above two posts. You need to get her to someone who actually knows what they're talking about. Try and get a referral to a paediatrician, Zantac did absolutely nothing for my son, neither did gaviscon, and so he's been on Losec since he was 6 weeks old. He's now 4 months.
It turned out he has a cows milk protein allergy as well, which is occurs very commonly along side reflux and has special formula as a result.
He's now doing awesomely and we can actually lay him on his back now without him spewing all over the place. He's also gone from spewing every couple of hours and after every feed, to spewing once maybe ever two or three weeks. He's a much happier little boy, always smiling and giggling, such a huge change.

Also we had to thicken his feeds which it sounds like it might be a good idea for you to try. We were using karicare food thickener to start with but after the cows milk protein allergy finding, we had to change because it actually contains soy protein and he was still reacting to that. So we use an organic baby rice to thicken his feeds. Initially we had to thicken a fair bit but have been able to reduce the amount now as his chest and stomach muscles are getting tighter, the sphincter is tightening and so he isn't needing so much thickener. it helps them to keep the feed down if it's thicker.

I know you're reluctant to medicate, however, babies can have a hole burnt into their eosophagus from the reflux if it is severe, and imagine how uncomfortable it is for your bub, how painful it must be. I don't like medicating such a young baby either, however, it's been the best thing we've done.
And it does get better with age as well.

Good luck and i hope things settle soon.

Again - thank you so much for your advice! Like I said to the lady above its so nice to be able to speak to people who have been there and see what they did to help it.

I currently have her on Karicare AR which is a thickened formula - are you saying to put more thickener in that?

My mum said to put her on a soy (as I threw up when I was a bub and she put me on soy) formula but I am reluctant to unless its proven she has an allergy so I will have a chat to a new GP and get a pead referral and get them to check her over.

I will keep you all updated.

Thanks again - Ella and I are very much grateful for your advice, stories and input! :wave:

[TripleTime]

Ask your GP for a referral to a Pead who has reflux knowledge, quite often GP's can help with adult reflux but not infant.

Our GP will admit he has no idea when it comes to DS reflux, reason why we see a private pead.

Need to get on top of it ASAP, the longer its left the more damage is done.

[TripleTime]

Again - thank you so much for your advice! Like I said to the lady above its so nice to be able to speak to people who have been there and see what they did to help it.

I currently have her on Karicare AR which is a thickened formula - are you saying to put more thickener in that?

My mum said to put her on a soy (as I threw up when I was a bub and she put me on soy) formula but I am reluctant to unless its proven she has an allergy so I will have a chat to a new GP and get a pead referral and get them to check her over.

I will keep you all updated.

Thanks again - Ella and I are very much grateful for your advice, stories and input! :wave:


Please dont use soy formula, its not very good for the gut at all. I wouldnt touch it with a 10 foot pole.

Shouldnt need to add any more thickener to a thickened formula, just keep in mind that medications dont stop vomiting, they dull the stomach acid in a hope to stop the burn. Thickened feeds reduce the amount that comes up, they dont stop it completely.

[EdensMama]

Please dont use soy formula, its not very good for the gut at all. I wouldnt touch it with a 10 foot pole.

Shouldnt need to add any more thickener to a thickened formula, just keep in mind that medications dont stop vomiting, they dull the stomach acid in a hope to stop the burn. Thickened feeds reduce the amount that comes up, they dont stop it completely.

I agree with Krystal (above) Avoid the soy for the time being until you have a proper diagnosed intolerance or allergy- as most of the time the intolerance is to the proteins in the milk which are very similar (almost identical) to soy proteins. So you'd just be exchanging one for another. It is actually very rare to find a true lactose intolerance believe it or not.

I also wouldn't be bothering with thickener either. Meds will sort the pain and the discomfort and facilitate healing, vomiting will happen regardless. Also, a lot of reflux Mums will tell you thickening can complicate bowel movements, but each to his own!

I see you live in Brisbane. I can recommend a couple of Paeds here if you're interested- Dr Aaron Easterbook and Dr Tony Prado- both at the Mater are amazing. Aaron saved us.

I think your instincts are spot on and you're doing an amazing job! Hang in there and don't be afraid to advocate strongly on your baby's behalf if you feel something isn't right.

We're always here for you too!! Let us know how you go!!
:hugs::hugs::hugs:

[kar]

I hesitated re medicarinf for reflux for weeks. Stupid me! A week after I cracked and decided to try I couldn't believe the change.
Try to check the mummy guilt. You are not taking an easy option by choosing to try medicating (that's what I somehow convinced myself of)

[Amara]

Ha ar formula worked for my bub. Don't know if thats still available though.

[Ivfmum78]

Just an update for you lovely ladies - bub Is on nexium and next step ped referral.. Fingers crossed xx

[EdensMama]

Great news!! Keep us posted!

Hope it all starts to improve very quickly! :)