Can't tell if 8 week old DD has reflux or something else????

[bjbbeauchamp]

My DD is 8 weeks old next week and ever since we came home from the hospital she has been choking. Not while feeding, but just any random time. It comes up through her nose and then she chokes and this happens this way everytime. I suck it all out, but she freaks out and throws her head back every single time and it just makes it worse. I have to hold her head forward to make her stop. Its so scary seeing her do this. At first the doc said it would go away, but it has only gotten worse. At first it would happen once every few days but now its happening several times a day. I took her to the doc last Friday and they thought it might be reflux so they put her on Enfamil A.R. to see if that would help first before giving her meds. It seemed to work and also helped her sleep through the night. But Monday she choked four times and Tuesday twice and Tuesday night twice...this scares me b/c what if I don't wake up and she chokes to death. Luckily I am a very light sleeper and also a very worried Mom, so of course I will hear her for now anyways. I can't take it anymore. I wan't it to all go away. Once she turned blue on me and that was just awful. She has also done it while in the car, so I have to listen for her very carefully and constantly watch her in the mirror. No radio or anything. I called today and they want to see her tomorrow and have ordered a swallowing test. I know the tests don't hurt, but I am scared at the results. I pray that its just the reflux and nothing too serious. Has anyone had this happen to their child?
Also, she has a horrible cough now ,so I am hoping it wasnt caused from all this

[momoftwo378]

Please read below.   My son is not 6 1/2 months and doing so much better from us giving him Colic Calm.  I acutally just placed another order for two boxes.   We finally started feeding him baby food about 2 weeks ago as well.   He is doing so much better.  Your story sounds like mine when my son was born.  I directly copied info about Colic Calm below.  

I have posted several times to parents about Colic Calm.   I figured I would just do a posting by its self for everyone to read.   My son is almost 5 months old now.  We have been giving him Colic Calm twice a day now for about 2 1/2 - 3 months.   It has been a life saver.   He could only eat 1/2 oz at a time than would scream.  He would throw himself back, pull legs up to chest and just scream for hours and hours along with not sleeping.   We switched formula's think it was that at first-from Enf. Lipil to Soy.   Took to dr whom put him on Zytanx and Mylanta.  I did some research myself and found Colic Calm.  Had the Ped. look into web page to see first if it was safe to give....I got the green light.  Ever since than he is a completely different child.   First of all he is happy-coo's and laughs.   He is eating 6 oz at a time.  Doesn't scream, throw himself back or pull legs up anymore.   He is a whole different child.   I have copied and pasted info on COLIC CALM from the Web page for parents our there that might want to take a look into it.  

COLIC CALM

A Homeopathic Blend of Chamomile, Fennel, Caraway, Peppermint, Ginger, Aloe, Lemon Balm, Blackthorn and Vegetable Charcoal.  Directly off web page for Colic Calm.    Below I copied and pasted off web page.....

Chamomilla (Chamomile)
Great for easing the colic symptoms of irritability, nervous tension and anxiousness. Chamomile is one of the best and most commonly used remedies for insomnia and restlessness, especially effective when baby is hypersensitive to pain.

Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel)
Inhibits spasms in smooth muscles, like those in the intestinal tract. Fennel has long been used by herbalists for indigestion and as a gas-relieving and gastrointestinal tract cramp-relieving agent. It also provides pain-reducing and anti-microbial actions.

Carum Carvi (Caraway)
Has been used effectively for over 5,000 years to relieve flatulence, heartburn and indigestion. Caraway is widely recognized as an antispasmodic for mild spasms of the gastrointestinal tract.

Mentha Piperita (Peppermint)
An excellent digestive aid that is well known for its ability to induce the expulsion of gas from the stomach and intestines. Peppermint also has antispasmodic effects and stimulates bile flow. As early as the Middle Ages, ancient doctors knew what modern science has confirmed – enhancing and rebalancing the body’s bile secretions are essential for the treatment of indigestion including gastric acid reflux.

Zingiber Officinale (Ginger)
An outstanding soothing natural medicine for the gastrointestinal tract. Like peppermint, ginger has been shown to beneficially influence gastric mobility while also exerting antispasmodic effects. It is also a very effective remedy for nausea.

Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm)
Known for its relaxing and gas-relieving (carminative) effects. Also shown to be effective in treating insomnia and improving quality of sleep. Lemon balm is frequently combined with peppermint for soothing upset stomach.

Aloe Socotrina (Aloe)
Useful for gas, rumbling in the stomach, and cramping prior to stool. Also helps relieve bloating and pain over the liver region.

Prunus Spinosa (Blackthorn)
Relieves pressure of abdominal flatulence which can cause cramp-like and aching pains in the bladder region. Also relaxes spasmodic colic and restores regularity.

Carbo Vegetabilis (Vegetable Carbon)
Recognized for its ability to eliminate toxins in the body. Provides relief from gas, indigestion, abdominal distention with cramping pains, and belching.

Carbo Vegetabilis (Vegetable Charcoal) H.U.S.P
Charcoal, or carbon as it is also called, is the most abundant element on earth. Carbon is an important element; the human body is composed of 18% carbon by weight (70% of the body is water). The form of carbon used in homeopathic medicine is Carbo Vegetabilis (Vegetable Charcoal) H.U.S.P. (Homeopathic United States Pharmacopeia), a pure, naturally-produced, non-carcinogenic vegetable carbon. This carbon that we use has been ground into a fine, black, odorless and tasteless powder. It is tested for utmost purity, and is completely safe for human consumption. It works by a process called adsorption - which means that it has the amazing ability to attract other substances to its surface and hold them there (this is scientifically different from absorption, which means to incorporate or assimilate a substance).  On its way though the digestive tract, it collects toxins and contaminants via adsorption. It also adsorbs gases, thus relieving flatulence, bloating and gas pains. It is fully excreted in bowel movements, so it will temporarily darken stools. Because vegetable charcoal is not a drug, it has no direct action on any organ of the body; it does not enter the bloodstream, nor is it absorbed into the body. All of it passes out of the body system naturally and easily, along with the gases and toxins it has collected on its journey. It is without rival as a cleansing agent and in assisting the healing process of the body as well as preventing intestinal infections. Reference – Journal of the American Medical Association

[Callysmommy]

happens to my daughter also.  Put her on her belly after she eats, and let her sleep on her belly at night.  Also, to give you extra ease get an angelcare monitor.  My daughter used to turn blue during feedings.  It is reflux, without a doubt.  It all stopped once we got her on goat milk, which most pediatricians won't recommend because they are trained to hand out formula.  I understand it's very scary.  My daughter was in the hospital for a week because of turning blue from reflux.  Does she get breast milk at all?

[army425]

SORY FOR GOT TO TELLYOU SHE IS 8YRS  SORRY CANT REMEMEBER THE MED. IT WORK PED. DR .

[army425]

MY GRANDDAUHTER HAD IT WHEN SHE WAS BORN BUT THEY GAVE HERSOMETHING THE DR GAVE THEM AFTER ABOUT 3MONTS SHE STOP IT WORK ASK DR.

[Crritter]

It does sound familiar.  I would not leave the room with my baby alone, even to go the the bathroom.  I was a nervous wreck.  Cameron did reflux during a test, but almost didn't have it caught.  After he drank some barium and they were watching, they took a break to change film and whatever they do, he began to choke and gag.  The Dr. was in the little room with the controls and heard what was going on.  He got excited, came running out, grabbed Cam and laid him back down.  I of course was freaked out that they would lay my gagging and choking baby down, but they got what they needed.  Till then they really didn't know and his meds were not strong enough.  Be persistent and keep track of the symptoms.  At some point they will listen, you just have to make them.

[ChitChatNine]

When I mentioned to be forceful in the back of your mind, what I mean to clarify more is that ONLY if your baby Refluxes at the Moment the X-ray is taken or Test is Given, will it show Reflux .. reflux may be there but not at the time of the test as with two of my 4 children.   Not that I'm pro-reflux and must be reflux, but I think a Pedi GI really needs to be included as soon as the results are given .. an 8 week old on meds in my opinion needs a specialist to follow.

C~

[ChitChatNine]

Sounds like reflux to me in rewind from my son's story from birth.   The blue spells.  The monitors in ev. room.  No music.  Scared my son would choke.  

Be forceful in the back of your mind that the swallow test (I assume upper GI) will only show what is happening at that time of ingestion and x-rays!!!!  I am not a Dr. but it is oftentimes missed.

The added AR is half a joke to me with severe refluxers ...... oftentimes it is the MILK doing this and not the weight of the formula.  So in my opinion I 'd go with hypoallergenic formula as another change (stay away from those with corn or corn syrup in it .. some RTF have corn while powders do not .. I would go with Alimentum at this point in my opinion).

Yes, the formula is thinner but a Ped GI can give you a script for a product to weight it down called Thick It if he/she really believes that it is a weight thing alone.

Coming thru the nose is possible reflux aspiration issues to deal with .. same with the blue .. the hot stuff comes up, burns it all on the way up and the body tries to close the airways to protect it from danger ..so thus, the through the nose and the screaming, etc.

Please please come back to post with an update.

The blue spells have a name .. cannot recall it .. dusky something .. been 9yrs since I have been where you are now .. btw, my son is great with reflux now.

Cheryl