What's going on with my son?

[CuriousMom663]

My son is 19 months old, 16 months adjusted.
Starting back in June he was spitting up about once or twice a week. We took him to the pediatrician and they thought nothing of it. They said it would go away over time.
Well, fast forward to the present.
For the past 3-4 weeks he has been getting sick 5 to  times a day. It isn't forceful vomiting but he gets sick and lets it just fall out of his mouth and goes back to playing.
We have had him to the ER 3 weeks ago and they said its the flu. But..he is still doing this. I cant imagine a toddler having the flu for so long without any other symptoms!
Last monday we took him to the doctor again and they said he was fine, and would outgrow it. They gave us the option of putting him on zantac which we have done. For the first few days he wans't getting sick at all, now he is back to getting sick 5 to 9 times a day again. We haven't changed his diet, he drinks soy instead of regular milk(they thought it could have been a milk allerrgy). My biggest concern is that he will get dehydrated or cause damage to his esophagus. He acts entirely normal by the way. He will get sick and get up and go back to playing.
Thanks for any help or advice.

[CuriousMom663]

Oh and he is also running a low grade fever. It varies around 99.1-99.8.

[KD9ER]

Well for starters, Zantac is a drug in which most people build up a quick "immunity" to, if you will.  It's effective in the short-term, but after 5 days really doesn't do what it is intended to do.  It's good as an "until I get something from my doc after the weekend" cure.  I'd have him evaluated by a PEDs GI (Gastrointestinal doc).  They'll probably stick him on Prilosec or Prevacid.  But both of those are better for long-term control for acid issues.  I'd probably have him evaluated by an Allergist as well to rule out any food allergies.  You should have luck with that.

[Callysmommy]

Get the book, WHY STOMACH ACID IS GOOD FOR YOU.  He also may have a bug in his gastrointestinal stomach, because acid blockers inhibit the protective mechanism in the stomach, leaving it open to different pathogens.  There is a high incidence of stomach cancer among patients taking acid suppressors.  Reflux meds do not correct the problem but make it worse.  The problem is poor digestion...he needs MORE acid, NOT less!

[CuriousMom663]

As an update, the GI specialist put my son on Prevacid. He was weaned off of it about a month ago and all is well now. We also found out his stomach doesn't tolerate dairy products well so he's been on soy products since Dec.2008.

[selmaS]

Hi thanks for the update on ur son...it is nice to hear positive situations.....and sharing what u have learned may help someone else look closer at dairy as well.

I hope u continue to share info and support here in the forum.

: )
"selma"