:( Hi Everyone:

My daughter is 8 months old and has suffered from reflux since birth. She does not have an aversion to eating though. She is chubby and likes to eat. Unfortunately she has severe silent reflux! She doesn't projectile vomit, she constantly reswallows and throws her head back and arches. She has never slept past 45 min. since she was born because she starts refluxing and it hurts her. She has been on Zantac, Prevacid, and Reglan. She has had an endoscopy and sigmoidoscopy and they had hoped she would grow out of it but she has never improved and at 8 months I am dying from lack of sleep with her never sleeping past 45 min. at one time. She weighs 15-pounds and is on Elecare for formula because she is allergic to about everything. She is even allergic to rice cereal and oatmeal cereal. The only thing she can eat has been sweet potatoes, carrots, and squash so far. They say that a fundo is the only way that she will probably sleep longer because she refluxes so severely. Any advice from anyone who has had one? I'm scared too death that she won't be able to throw up any more or that something might go wrong and she will end up with a G-tube. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Did anyone elses children have a hard time sleeping because of their reflux? We have her on a wedge but it doesn't help. She hates the swing and her carseat so those aren't options. She even refluxes when I hold her upright. We thicken her feeds to pudding consistency but she still refluxes. Sorry so long!

Michelle

That wasn't long, Michelle; you should see the books I write! Isn't it interesting how the reflux affects everyone differently. We are considering a G tube to help my son get over feeding difficulties, but he's always been a good sleeper (to avoid eating, I think). I'm sorry I don't have any fundo advice but just wanted to wish you well.

Michelle,

My son had a hard time sleeping b/c of his reflux, too. We would get 2-3 broken hours of sleep per night for weeks on end. Like Becky, I don't have any fundo. experience, but there are a few moms here with lots of experience who will be able to answer your questions. 8 months seems pretty early for the doctors to be considering a fundo., though, as many infants outgrow their reflux by 12 months. Is your daughter gaining weight?

Hi Michele,
My son just had the fundo 2 1/2 months ago. I am glad you found us and would love to answer any questions you have. First, yes, my son had problems sleeping and many more problems from reflux as well. I am suprised that they are suggesting a fundo to you at such an early age. Usually chidren grow out of reflux by 2 and if not then they may consider it if the child is having difficulties such as

recurrent infections
immune system problems
failure to thrive
wheezing and pneumonia
other respiratory illnesses
not growing out of it
all medications have been tried with no help

There is an article on the surgery section on the main site and you may find it helpful. I would definitely start researching the fundoplasty before considering it because alot of doctors jump into that decision without telling you that there are serious side effects of this surgery and it isn't a cure-all and causes many other problems as well. Like retching, bloating, inability to burp or vomit, food aversions, disphagia, can come undone with one forceful gag, can be too tight, too lose, these are common which is why most parents wait as long as possible hoping there children will outgrow it. I hope this helps and support you either way, I hope you read the article and start researching this surgery. And, I would love to help you anyway I could.

Does your child eat well? Does your child have any other problems from reflux besides the reflux itself? Have you tried all medications? Do you see a GI? Does your baby have emptying problems as well? How long on meds? Sorry so many Qs but they will help me get a better understanding of your baby and situation... WELCOME and ((hugs)) I know this is very difficult.

Eli was in pain and sick and puking his guts out the first 2 years of his life and all the moms on here are wonderful understanding people who are going through this too (((((hugs))))).

Hello, and welcome ! I am glad you have found us over here, but, also saddened for the reasons that have brought you here. It is so hard to have a child with Reflux and sleep deprivation. My son never slept through the night in fact when my son was around your daughters age I started lying to everyone I knew that Noah was sleeping thought the night because I was tired of answering a 100 questions and getting advise that I had already heard 100x's. My son didn't have his fundo preformed until he was 3 years old. I am sure there are many other reasons that the Dr's are considering the fundo for your dd at such a young age. Any advice you are looking for we will be glad to give. One point that I would like to add is that my son never slept through the night and now he has had a total of four Fundo's and still has yet to sleep a night through. So, the Fundo isn't always a fool proof wish grantor.

I'm so sorry that you are facing this decision! (((HUGS))) Also so sorry about your lack of sleep for the past 8 months!!!

Is the sleeping issue (or lack thereof) their only consideration for the fundo?

Since that's what I took from your post I will assume so, please correct me if I'm wrong. :D Really, I think that you should get a second opinion. I have never heard of an 8 month old (or a child of any age for that matter) having a fundo to help with sleep. Granted, sleep is very important and at some point a child's quality of life needs to be taken into account when considering a fundo, but at 8 months old, there is still a very good chance she will outgrow it. I know it doesn't seem like that right now, and it's been a very long time for you guys to not have gotten any sleep but the fundo is such a potentially complication ridden surgery that I don't know...personally I don't think it's worth the risk.

Please keep us posted on this, we will be thinking of you both!

Sorry that you are having a hard time. I know that a GERDling who doesn't sleep at night is hard. My daughter, Zoee, 11 months, doesn't sleep at night and it is hard. I am a little lucker b/c Zoee will at least sleep an hour to two b/c waking up screaming. good luck with your desicion and know that we are here to help in any way.


Shannon

I would like to say hi and welcome. I do understand your fustration about lack of sleep. My oldest had severe reflux but not diagnosed until he was 5yrs old. He never slept a night through until he was over 7yrs,even after his first fundo he didnt sleep. I also have two other children that have had fundos because there were no other options and meds were not controlling their reflux causing many other problems.

I too am wondering if you baby is having any other problems from the reflux because I dont think sleep is a great reason for a fundo. The reason I am saying this because it may not cure the sleep problems. I also agree about getting a second opion before having the surgery done. I was also wondering if the docs are going to do a gastric emptying study to look for delays? I was also wondering if she has ever used any motility drugs to help with moving the food faster through the system becasue if there are delays in empting this could be causing a problem with sleep.

If you have any other questions please ask and I am sorry if I sound harsh but the fundo should be a last resort measure. I do wish you luck.

Melanie.

Melanie, glad to have you around here, you have lots of experience and some good advice to give, thank you :D