pediatric gerd

My daughter is 5  and a halfyears old and her doctor has been treating her for the past year with prevacid solutab 15mg daily, which at first relieved her symptoms after a couple of weeks until recently. She is a very active child, she enjoys tumbling and running and cheerleading. Lately she complains that her stomach hurts, she can't breathe and when she states that she tries to take a deep breath and she says "I can't Breathe".,she has decreased appetite especially in the evening and she only weighs 42 pounds and is 42 inches tall. I spoke with her doctor and he suggested we increase her medicine to 15mg twice a day. I have put her on a bland diet as well. She is also on zyrtec for allergies which she takes every pm. Please help I do not know what else to do for her. I don't know if we are following the right path for treating her. If she needs to have some tests done to find out what is truly her problem.
Sincerely, Worried Mom

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.
May I ask, what testing was done and what was the dx?
There are things besides a bland diet to try and reduce acid production.Is it possible she has a hiatal hernia?....Could she have asthma as well as a stomach issue?

Since a bland diet is not working...please look at our Health Pages here on MedHelp we have a list of foods safe for acid reflux.
We also have a list to help avoid acid production...elevating the head of the bed....no tight clothes....ect.....

Also what allergies does she have?

I pray u find ur answers and please post updates on her progress.
"selma"

[cheermom05]

My daughter has not had any testing done at all. As far as for her stomach or for allergies. My husband and I have many allergies as well as my other 2 children. It seems as if she has environmental allergies because the zyrtec does seem to help that. She also complains of mid chest pain as well as stomach pain and at time nausea.
Sincrely, cheermom05

[selmaS]

Since your daughter is on a med I looked up the side effects...you may want to discuss this with her dr.
You may want to review this as I also saw constipation listed in another area.It also lists different forms of this medication.
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http://www.drugs.com/sfx/zyrtec-side-effects.html

Side Effects of Zyrtec - for the consumer


Zyrtec
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Zyrtec:

Drowsiness; dry mouth; stomach pain (in children); tiredness; trouble sleeping (in children).

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Zyrtec:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); dark urine; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; mental or mood changes; persistent fatigue; seizures; severe dizziness; unusual bruising or bleeding; yellowing of eyes or skin.