What are the symptoms of Esophagitis?

I posted a "Bad day Vent" oh about a week ago about my DD, Andie vomiting blood streaked mucous and we took her to the doctor and she had some white spots in her mouth and the doc diagnosed her with Thrush. Now I have seen Thrush and like I said in my first post, I don't think that this was thrush.

So anyways, Andie has started to shoved her whole fist and her fingers in her mouth, and I don't think that she is teething. She has been doing this for over a month now and I decided to do some research on the internet about it, and low and behold Esophagitis came up. I have only seen her gag on her first a few times and I was just wondering about the spots in her mouth. One of the symptoms of Esophagitis is sores in the mouth. What do they look like? Reading all the info I started thinking about stuff that she has done and she does choke alot when she feeds, during a bottle we normally have to pull it away from her to let her breath....I dunno it just seemed kinda wierd.

Is this secondary to GERD or is this a whole new thing?

Okay, I'm going to take a stab at this; however, just know that when my dd showed symptoms, I had no idea she even had GERD or any other issues...

Bethany had a few white-ish spots in her throat and constantly curled her tongue (tip behind lower gum line and "fat part" of tongue pushed out of her lips, if you can picture that) for eons when she was a little one and would often gag (which I attributed to her doing that funny thing with her tongue). She, too, constantly shoved her fists in her mouth, screamed/cried and comfort fed CONSTANTLY. My first ped told me, too, that this was thrush and we went through rounds of Nystatin, etc. with no change. (She did later have thrush that we passed back and forth; however, that was really, really obvious--I'm talking white fuzz on her tongue and cheeks, etc.)

Anyway, after she was *finally* diagnosed by the new ped I'd switched to, he told me that she was showing classic symptoms of esophagitis/discomfort and we did notice some relief when we got her on meds.

I can't say for *sure* that this is what you're seeing; however, I'd bet that it could very well be related to discomfort from reflux. If your doc okays it, I *wonder* if trying a little bit of Maalox/Mylanta would hurt? If she seems more comfortable after giving these, you might have your answer.

Poor baby--and poor mommy! I hope you get to the bottom of this soon! :hug:

I'm not familiar with Esophagitis but I know with thrush, it usually looks like patches of formula on their cheeks and mouth. Could you ask for a trial of Carafate for her? My Dr. put me on it last week for really bad burning and reflux and it made a world of a difference. It coats the stomach and esophagis. I hope she feels better soon:hug:

It could be Candida esophagitis.

I'm not familiar with Esophagitis but I know with thrush, it usually looks like patches of formula on their cheeks and mouth. Could you ask for a trial of Carafate for her? My Dr. put me on it last week for really bad burning and reflux and it made a world of a difference. It coats the stomach and esophagis. I hope she feels better soon:hug:
We have been on Carafate since 1/8/07.....:sad3:

It could be Candida esophagitis.
What is Candida Esophagitis?

Yes,
Gagging like this CAN be a sign of Esophagitis, but it can also be because of the possible thrush or teething. Eric went through phases of gagging himself like this, and I talked to lot's of people about it. Even NON GERD Mom's noticed gagging at this age. Some babies had thrush, some were actively teething, some had reflux, and some didn't have any problems going on at all, just the self induced gagging.
Eric always stopped after a tooth made an appearance.

I would say since your LO is on reflux meds and your treating her GER/GERD that Esophagitis is highly unlikely. Not impossible, but highly unlikely.

Hopefully you'll get some answers soon
What did the GI say about all this?
Has she had any testing?

Yes,
Gagging like this CAN be a sign of Esophagitis, but it can also be because of the possible thrush or teething. Eric went through phases of gagging himself like this, and I talked to lot's of people about it. Even NON GERD Mom's noticed gagging at this age. Some babies had thrush, some were actively teething, some had reflux, and some didn't have any problems going on at all, just the self induced gagging.
Eric always stopped after a tooth made an appearance.

I would say since your LO is on reflux meds and your treating her GER/GERD that Esophagitis is highly unlikely. Not impossible, but highly unlikely.

Hopefully you'll get some answers soon
What did the GI say about all this?
Has she had any testing?
We have not seen the GI yet. We will see him for the 1st time on the 24th. The only testing that she has had, was the day after birth and it was a Chest Xray and Barium Swallow. The other test was in November at the ENT and it was a laryngoscopy to diagnose laryngopharengeal reflux. and she is on meds and has been for 12 weeks and they still aren't working......just thought I would reply!

LOL I have to laugh at myself because I read your siggy and saw 24th
but I was already in February for some reason. My mind is already starting to go. AHHHHH What will I be like when I'm 50? 60? AHHHHH I don't even want to think about it.


(((BIG HUG)))
I hope the GI can help you get to the bottom of all this and help give her some relief. I really do.

Candida Esophagitis is thrush in the throat.

DS has had Esophagitus twice (he has it right now but we have an appointment with the GI on the 25th so his PCM wouldn't touch it)...both times I was told it was caused by his reflux. He has also had thrush both times. This time is not nearly as bad as the last...but I was told that his thrush was caused by his reflux being untreated (the first time) and this time because the meds aren't working. Here are a list of his symptoms for both the Esophagitis and the thrush...I hope it helps:

Esophagitis:
Gagging with his fist repeatedly (not just once or twice)
Difficulty swallowing (he sometimes screams when he swallows and you can hear him make a huge gulping noise
Refusal to eat, or screaming multiple times during a feeding

Thrush:
A bluish film covering his entire mouth
white spots on his cheeks, lips, and tongue
crying to have something in his mouth...then screaming and spitting it out.


DS is currently on Nystatin for the Thrush...and I'm giving him Tylenol during the REALLY REALLY bad times. This is the second time we've dealt with this...and I hope it will be the last...it truly is miserable.

I should also add...and you might know this already...that thrush is common in children and adults with compromised immune systems. This is why Esophagitis often leads to thrush (according to my doctor...and from what I've read)

DS has had Esophagitus twice (he has it right now but we have an appointment with the GI on the 25th so his PCM wouldn't touch it)...both times I was told it was caused by his reflux. He has also had thrush both times. This time is not nearly as bad as the last...but I was told that his thrush was caused by his reflux being untreated (the first time) and this time because the meds aren't working. Here are a list of his symptoms for both the Esophagitis and the thrush...I hope it helps:

Esophagitis:
Gagging with his fist repeatedly (not just once or twice)
Difficulty swallowing (he sometimes screams when he swallows and you can hear him make a huge gulping noise
Refusal to eat, or screaming multiple times during a feeding

Thrush:
A bluish film covering his entire mouth
white spots on his cheeks, lips, and tongue
crying to have something in his mouth...then screaming and spitting it out.


DS is currently on Nystatin for the Thrush...and I'm giving him Tylenol during the REALLY REALLY bad times. This is the second time we've dealt with this...and I hope it will be the last...it truly is miserable.
Wow! We seem to have a lot in common. She is gagging on her fists but I have not noticed her crying differently in pain or while she is eating. But she has been doing the gagging and has had white spots on her cheeks that the doc says was thrush which has gone away now but she is still gagging herself with fingers and fists. i should add that her reflux meds are not working, nor have they ever worked. that is what is sooo frustrating. but we go to the gi on the 24th and you go on the 25th. make sure you post an update so i know how you appt went and i will let you know how ours went.

Wow! We seem to have a lot in common. She is gagging on her fists but I have not noticed her crying differently in pain or while she is eating. But she has been doing the gagging and has had white spots on her cheeks that the doc says was thrush which has gone away now but she is still gagging herself with fingers and fists. i should add that her reflux meds are not working, nor have they ever worked. that is what is sooo frustrating. but we go to the gi on the 24th and you go on the 25th. make sure you post an update so i know how you appt went and i will let you know how ours went.

I will DEFINITELY update after our appointment Thursday. The Prevacid really hasn't worked for DS either. He seemed to do better for about 4 days (approximately one week to the day that we started it)...but by better I mean he slept for about 4 hours at night...but after that it was every hour and he was still somewhat miserable during the day. It was all downhill from there though. He's actually been losing weight now too...which bothers me because he's always been a big grower (gaining 3/4lbs a week even in the womb!!!). I just want to see him better...which I'm sure is what you want for your little angel too!!! This is frustrating...and it's hard when people think you're just going overboard over a little "spitting up". I hope your little girl gets relief soon!!! I'll be keeping an eye out for your update!!!

I will DEFINITELY update after our appointment Thursday. The Prevacid really hasn't worked for DS either. He seemed to do better for about 4 days (approximately one week to the day that we started it)...but by better I mean he slept for about 4 hours at night...but after that it was every hour and he was still somewhat miserable during the day. It was all downhill from there though. He's actually been losing weight now too...which bothers me because he's always been a big grower (gaining 3/4lbs a week even in the womb!!!). I just want to see him better...which I'm sure is what you want for your little angel too!!! This is frustrating...and it's hard when people think you're just going overboard over a little "spitting up". I hope your little girl gets relief soon!!! I'll be keeping an eye out for your update!!!
I completely agree with how you feel about what everyone else thinks. It is sooo frustrating that other people who are oblivious to this condition just think "You are paranoid" I just wanna say " Screw you!!" Sometimes I get a bad attitude and then I realize that I know what I am talking about and they don't. So, take care and hopefully you will get something out of your appt. Let me know!!

My son had esophagitis about 3 weeks ago and is finailly getting better. His was caused by his meds apparently not working. I had the same experience, I went into his room to find him covered in blood and vomit. He was sticking his hands in his mouth and crying, refusing (and still refusing) to eat, and generally miserable. He now is on an increase and new meds and doing better.