The past week has been really tough with my 6 month old---very fussy, not sleeping or eating well, very clingy. I chalked it up to developmental/environmental issues for few days and even thought it might be an ear infection as we were on a plane in the past week. But today at the doctor nothing was found to be wrong. We discussed teething, colic and the possibility of a subclinical ear infection and I was given meds to help with all 3.
Ibuprofen has helped a little but I have noticed she will burp and then let out a shrill cry. None of my other kids have had reflux---does it act this way? I also gave her a dose of Levsin (hycosamine) to treat GI pain but it seems to have not made a difference after one dose although it is directed to give as needed.
I am considering a trip to the ER. Anyone have experince with painful burping????
HELP!
We didn't go to the ER but I called to speak to the MD on call and got shunted to the nurse at Children's. She basically said that between the teething, the mild changes in the ear and potentially swallowing a bunch of air and saliva with the teething causing colic to give all the meds (ear drops, ibuprofen and Levsin/hyoscyamine). She surprisingly did sleep that night for 10 hours! But ever since has not seemed right---very clingy and fussy. I have kept up with the meds but feel there is still something wrong as she still doesn't sleep well and seems hesitant to burp. I plan on checking in with the doctor tomorrow.
I don't want to freak you out but...if she is at the stage where she is putting a lot of things in her mouth is it possible that she could have swallowed something that is now caught in her esophagus? They could do an Xray to look for a foreign object if needed.
If your child is having GI pain take her to Dr. Harsberger. She is a pediatric GI doctor. Her number is ###-###-####. When I took my son in almost two years ago she was by the old cottonwood hospital so I don't know if they've moved. My son ended up being diagnosed with Celiac Disease (gluten allergy) but it was good to have an answer and a way to fix it! Good luck.
I listen to an awesome podcast called PediaCast. A pediatrician runs the podcast and you can check out the many subjects that he has covered and even call or go online from what I remember. Dr. Mike is very informative; I think you'd like the podcast and might find an answer to your question. You don't have to have an iPod to listen, just go to apple.com and download iTunes if you don't have the application already. The application is free!! Sorry, I didn't have an answer to your question, but perhaps I helped provide a way for you to find one!
She may have a little sore throat. Sounds silly but my daughter had a little cold after flying and a sore throat to follow. That was a few months ago and now she makes a silly sound like clearing her throat. Your little one may also have gas from the other end which we all know can hurt a little one. Good luck
Try chiropractic first for a natural holistic approach. Chiropractic adjustments remove nerve interference and allow the systems of the body to function properly. If that doesn't help in your baby's case then try conventional medicine because you know your baby will end up with a prescription so saving that as a last resort is the best option. My little guys (4 1/2 and 2) have been getting adjusted since they were born and they have never had to have a drug, not even Tylenol! Best wishes. J. L
My last two have had the painful burps with reflux. If she is arching her back a lot, that's probably what you have going on. My experience is that the meds aren't given in a high enough dose to help. If you're giving her Xantac (ranitidine) for the reflux, I could help you with some dosing info. Although I'm not a doctor, we've done it with two kids and I have a bit of an idea for dose/weight. I hope she feels better soon! There are also reflux things available OTC, although I don't know if they're okay for the younger set. I've never checked them out since insurance happily pays for the Rx stuff. GL!
Trapped gas can cause this sort of problem. If you haven't tried the OTC gas relief medications you might give it a try. This greatly helped me with my daughter when she was about the same age. It takes about 45 minutes to start working if it is going to help. Your child will start burping and passing gas and finally be really happy to be able to sleep.
If it isn't the trapped gas problem and you think it is the reflex then try having your child sleep on their stomach. My son had this problem and it greatly helped. Also try feeding less more often.
If it is reflux then it usually takes a few days all the way up to a week for the meds to make a difference. There will be irritation of the esophagus that can take a while to heal. Until that gets better she will still feel pain. My daughter was on meds for reflux until she was 18 months old. Each time we tried to ween her down she would start to exhibit symptoms of pain again pretty quickly. We would then put her back on and it always seemed to take twice as long for her to get better. There are also different meds available for reflux each that works a little differently. We had to go through 3 before we found one that really worked. If you don't see results in a week I would go back to the doctor and try a different Rx.
Don't rush to the ER, but go back and talk to your Dr about reflux, it isn't something so easy to diagnose with a simple visit. It totally sounds like that. My son had it and my daughter early on.
Or call your Dr after hours service even. Does she have true GI issues? Not sure why they would give meds if in fact there wasn't a thorough GI Exam? I am confused I guess as if there is a "possibility" vs. an actual issue going on.
I can say with teething, it can start way before you see a tooth and can cause alot of things like disruption of sleep, disruption of eating, pain in the gums.
I would say however, the burping and crying sounds a lot like reflux which is painful on their throat burping up stomach acid.
My daughter was on Zyrtec for a month and it really helped until things in her digestive tract matured. I also put her on Nutramigen which is a formula that is predigested and A LOT easier on their system.
Call your Dr and if it is after hours, ask them what you should do.
Good luck!
Go to your doctor and/or a GI or allergist. If you are nursing, she may be sensitive to the soy or milk you ingest. Or the formula may not be right for her.
My daughter did this - we took her to a pediatric chiropractor. We had prescription meds as well, and they did not make a difference.
Our doc works on my kids for everything, from ear infections to something is just not right. We go once a month for wellness adjustments. We are in Pueblo, and she will always see babies. If you cannot find a pediatric chiropractor in your area, she would be worth the trip. Her name is Beth Lancaster.
Good luck!
