for going through with a fundo? I mean was it chronic asthma, pneumonia, ear infections, acid damage etc.?

I'm getting ahead of myself again but thinking I would rather hold off on fundo and just do a G-tube because Maggie doesn't have other issues.

Our ped thought Daniel needed a fundo because I showed him a photo of his bib pocket filled to the brim with puke from a meal three hours earlier. He felt D would never want to eat as long as he was throwing up that much. It was a good point, but DH and I thought (almost correctly) that he threw up so much from getting so upset about us forcing him to eat. Once he got his G tube, we were able to relax and go at his pace, and the vomiting decreased dramatically.

Lena..Just wanted to say, I hope it all works out for you guys, and I am sure you will make the right decision for her! Let us know what becomes of her appointment?

Our main reasoning with Noah was that he had 3 rather larger & deep bleeding lesions in his esophagus and we have a high rate of esphageal cancer in our families (on both sides) and we were hoping to protect Noah from it as well. He was also FTT, Chronic Sinus Infections. Reactive airway, ear infections, Noah was basically wasting away in front of our eyes.

Our reasons were pneumonias, ear/sinus/nose and throat infections and chronic irritation, chronic cough and wheezing, vomiting constantly, uncontrollable reflux, he was getting behing developmentally because he just didn't feel good to do anything, a big reason for us was he had a low immune system and our immunologist recommended fundo as well. He had sickness on top of sickness and he eventually just laid on the floor all day, always weak and slept alot, even vomiting in his sleep:( each night. Our GI, surgeon and immunologist felt that permanent damage and future outlook weren't looking so good for the little guy and that fundo would help and it sure did! He is a ball of energy now and healthy.

I don't blame you for leaning more towards a tube rather than the fundo. My first thoughts about a child who has feeding issues would be that a fundo could make it worse. I am not a professional though, just a mom, and we don't have a tube.

I am praying for you guys!

Our reason for fundo/g-tube was severe GERD (obviously), FTT and risk of aspiration. Tucker used to reflux so badly, he couldn't recover and I had to do CPR 2x and they had to "bag" him numerous times in hospital. We fought the surgery as long as possible, but Tucker proved to us he needed it. It has been a lifesaver for him, literally. I won't say we haven't had issues, but I know it was the right choice. The g-tube has also made our lives much better. We aren't spending hours trying to get 3 ounces of formula down him any longer. He's actually started to do better, recently, with the eating of solids. (If you can call it eating--at least opening his mouth and letting us put spoon in there w/ food on it. I don't think he gets much but it's a start).

Good luck. Hang in there.

Sam is a bit younger and he has so many other things going on. But, he stopped eating and had damage to his esophagus allready. I knew he needed the g-tube and I was nervous about the fundo. But, his surgeon who is very conservative felt he needed it. I think we made the right choice, but sometimes I wonder how he would do with just a g-tube. he does not eat anything by mouth because he still has swallowing issues. He is such a complicated little man--but I believe he is better off since he had the fundo.

Can I ask why they wont consider just a tube without a fundo? I am just curious because our GI was pushing for a tube (and no fundo) for a LONG time since Alexys was FTT and wouldnt drink, but they never really pushed a fundo on us at all. (although part of it was due to her having Dge and it wouldnt have helped anyway)

The reasons we had all three children have fundos were:

1. Justin had chronic esophagitis, break down in his stomach and esophagus, several pneumonias, chronic sinus issues, and severe asthma issues.

2. Erica had chronic sius issues which lead to sinus surgery but no relief. Also had severe breakdown in esophagus, and severe asthma issues.

3. Brandon had chronic ear and sinus infections requiring drastic sinus surgery at a year old. He also had break down in his esophagus and throat, several bouts of pneumonia,and severe asthma issues.

With the three of my children we were at a point that they were not improving with the meds. They also were having damage done that could be permanent if not controlled better. We had exhausted every option at the point of the surgery.


Melanie

Can I ask why they wont consider just a tube without a fundo? I am just curious because our GI was pushing for a tube (and no fundo) for a LONG time since Alexys was FTT and wouldnt drink, but they never really pushed a fundo on us at all. (although part of it was due to her having Dge and it wouldnt have helped anyway)

Her GI is convinced that down the road the prevacid will stop working and we'd be better off doing it all at once. And that we really aren't solving the problem with tube feeding. I would rather take the risk and just do a g-tube now. We are waiting for a referral to go through to see what the surgeon says.

Sometimes I think I have reasons to complain with Parkers reflux, but reading this has made me realise I am one of the lucky ones. All you mums are so brave, I can't even imagine what you all have been through.

Sometimes I think I have reasons to complain with Parkers reflux, but reading this has made me realise I am one of the lucky ones. All you mums are so brave, I can't even imagine what you all have been through.

I agree! How awful it must be to have things that bad. :(

I haven't read anyone else's posts, but we did her fundos because she had esophagitis while on prevacid and zantac, had stridor that did not go away despite steroid treatments, the reflux permanantly damaged her vocal cords, she had a chronic asthmatic cough that responded to nothing, chronic congestion that responded to nothing, and cried in pain all the time despite the meds she was on. It helped a lot, but as you know we have new problems.

Let me preface now though, it isn't clear at the moment if all of our new problems are a result of the fundo or if it is a separate problem that coincidentally occured after the fundo. We should know soon. The following things are being considered: a growth hormone deficiency, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and cystic fibrosis. It could also be that her fundo broke down and she suffered vagal nerve damage during the fundos.

Either way, as you know, new problems are possible and you need to go with your gut--not your fear---your gut. Hard to decifer, I know!

I went back and read. Katy has pointed out in past posts that g tubes are known to make reflux worse because it increases the pressure in the stomach. If the reason they don't eat is reflux--to the point of needing a gtube, doctors will typically say you have to fix the reflux too--hence a fundo and gtube. Also, another mom mentioned DGE--a pyloraplasty would be considered IF a child with DGE needed a fundo and gtube.

That makes sense guys. Whats the point of putting in the tube if she is just going to throw up what goes in her tummy anyway...:eusa_doh: if you get both you can give her a break on pressing foods... in her situation that might make sense.

Please keep us posted and let us know what the docs are saying:wink:

She's not a puker on meds and would stay on meds post fundo. I just can't see doing a surgery to help her eat that could possibly cause even more problems including NOT EATING! She's already had a pylorotomy... If we could get her weight up so she's out of the danger zone then we could wait until she's older and there are more treatment options... ARGH!

ARGH, is right, if she isn't a puker then.... I would think personall that a fundo would cause more feeding issues. What does everyone else think??

Just to help her eat? I agree that waiting would be better. It may help her eat once she recovers but mmmmmm......pretty big gamble if you ask me.

I agree it's a big gamble. We're going to see what the surgeon says and then probably talk to another peds GI. I really do not see myself agreeing to it though.