Hi

Elli's put on over 2lbs in three weeks of being on the ng (500mls over night and 100 ml bolus feed at lunchtime). However over the last few days I've noticed a decrease in her oral feeds, and she's started gagging on food and vomiting both oral and ng feeds. I've cut down the rate on the ng, and the dosage but tonight she was sick after 40 mls. I don't know what's going on :(

Would gaviscon help her? I think she might be refluxing again after stopping the zantac three wks ago. Can I mix gaviscon with the milk, or will it thicken too much for the tube? Or should I give it a few days, or maybe just go back to the hosp (I really don't want them to take the ng away, she's been doing so well and is nearly back on the 3rd centile). HELP, my head's wrecked again and we were doing so well, anyone???

Lizzie

Boy that is a tough one. Is she on any meds at all, if not sounds like she needs something. How long has she been on the NG tube??? She may be feeling more satisified with the NG feeds or maybe she is uncomfortable and that is why she is decreasing her po feeds. I would call your MD they may be able to give some suggestions over the phone. Good luck.

Alexys pukes more when she is on her tube too, if she has it in more than 3 days she actually pukes it up....and after a few days of using it she stops taking a bottle. Could you ask if you could use it on and off? THat's what we do and it works well for us. We use it about once a week or when ALexys is not eating well....it helps reduce the irritation from the tube not having it in constantly and she doesnt puke as much this way, but still get some extra calories from it.

Elli's on losec (prosilec) and keflex for her kidney reflux. She came off zantac 3/4 wks ago and up til then was on 1.5ml twice a day. I've been giving gaviscon today. She threw up at 6am and took less than quarter of a four month jar all day today. She kept her lunch time bolus feed (100ml) down but threw her tea and supper bolus feed (80ml) just before bedtime, cutting her solid intake for the day by half. She has had no fluids orally today. I've hooked her up for a rate of 30ml and hour overnight and we'll see how she goes.

I think I'll call her Registrar tomorrow (Her consultant is away) and see what she thinks. Could be a bug as Elli had a temp today, and has been really gripey and wanted to stand up all day.

Every time something works for Elli it only lasts a short time, I'm so stressed that this is the same old story. I guess that if it is, at least she's put on a few pounds first!!!

She's coming up for a year now, I don't see any chance of all this miraculously stopping in three weeks. So much for the 12 month theory. I don't see what else they can do for her as they can't find any medical reason for her extreme lack of appetite, esp with the reflux supposedly under control. DGE was ruled out, although I don't really see how they can be so sure when she's been starved for 18hrs, I think her gut gets backed up somehow, but it seems there is no test for this and with no abdominal swelling it's unlikely.

Wits end time again, at least I've had a few weeks off!!!

Lizzie

Alexysmommy - the problem is Elli has a bad day every day, even a great day is two 4 month jars and 2 oz water all day. I'm not sure it's the tube feed that the problem I think she's got worse with the reflux again. Thanks for the advice though, I'll keep it in mind

I found that even the littlest gag when using the NG tube would make D puke a whole lot. (I think once the food coming back up got his tube wiggling a bit, it just irritated him beyond belief.) However, there were the "good days" (not, however, good for how much he ate orally) when he wouldn't puke at all.

Turns out Elli has a tummy bug. She's getting fluids through her ng and isn't too bad. No oral feeds mind you! Thank god for the ng though or we'd be back in hospital with a seriously dehydrated baby.

Thanks for the advice