OT: Anyone have an older child with GERD? Acid Reflux?

[mom23boys]

My youngest now almost 5 (in May) has had Silent Reflux since birth. It has been a long long road for him. He projectile vomited at his worst around 17 times a day. He has seen a GI specialist since he was an infant.

He has gotten better, it seems around 4 he leveled off on the reflux, he does not have the episodes he used to. And now he knows to tell us when it is happening.

There are some nights he is up coughing for about an hour even though he sleeps on a high pillow, we just try to get him through it usually after he throws up what is in his stomach. This happens about 4-5 times a month now. It used to be everynight. He falls asleep on the couch everynight just so we can monitor him. His coughing seems to happen about 2 hours after he falls asleep.

He also has delayed gastric emptying. Which means what he eats for breakfast may come up whole 10-12 hours later, real gross I know. We had a Milk Scan when he was 16 mos and it showed 20 instances of reflux in an hour and his stomach only emptyied 20%.

He is does not weigh very much, but is tall. He weighs around 33 pounds. He looks so tiny compared to some children his age.

As for eating, we do limit his red sauce and fried foods. Because he is little he tends to eat every few hours because his stomach is still full since it does not empty the way it should.

Thank you zumbergc, I had no idea about pepermint. My DS loves mints and has them frequently. He also loves little peppermint patties. I will definently limit his intake on these foods.

Sorry this being so long, just wanted to let you know you are not alone. Good luck with your DS.

 

[keahgirl8]

I've had reflux since I was about 16, and I'm almost 26 now. Diet is huge, just like everyone has said. Figure out (by trial and error, unfortunately) what the trigger foods are and avoid them at all costs for a while. Once he starts getting better, you can gradually try to introduce them back in one at a time. No eating 3 hours before bedtime. He should not be lying down after he eats. I know that's hard when you don't feel well, but he should be propping himself up with pillows or sitting in a recliner where he is partially sitting up after he eats. Changing the diet is hard, but it is the only way. Medication will help, but if his diet doesn't change, the symptoms will continue at the level they are. Let me know if you need any more suggestions! Good luck!

ETA: I forgot to mention cutting out red meat. It might be worth a try. I cut out red meat entirely for about a year. Even now, I only eat a bite or two maybe once a week. It has really helped. Just make sure he gets iron in other ways, or he could end up Anemic.