Reflux in older children

chocdonuty

DD is 7, she never had reflux as a baby, not even a little bit (saved a fortune on bibs:p) but for the past few months has occasionally suffered with reflux and it has been worse for a couple of days, mainly when she coughs as it brings it up, she's not been sick properly yet thankfully, and is is mainly first and last thing in the day.
I'm making an appointment with the docs for next week (can't get appt til then) and nhs direct are only taking serious cases at the mo. so they are useless:mad:
DD's at school now and I'll see if I can get some gaviscon or similar, just to help for a bit when she comes home. I just wondered if anyone else children had this at all and had any tips to ease her discomfort til I get to the docs.
many thanks,
michelle

MrsTinks

If it's brught on by coughing then I don't think it's reflux is it? I get retching when I have a coughing fit and oftne get heartburn as a result...
I guess till you see the doctor then get something to treat the cause... the coughing
BTW my husband has reflux and his has nothing to do with coughing which is why I'm saying I don't think it's reflux
Why not take her to Lloyds or Boots when she comes back from school and speak to the pharmacist and see what they recommend

chocdonuty

It's only recently been brought on by coughing, I know sometimes if I have a very bad cough it happens to me too but it has been going on for a while now, seemingly without reason, no cough at all. It's just now the coughing just seems to make it happen more and worse I've got an appointment now so will pop her up to the chemists after school. :cool:

Paparika

I'm doing this at the mo, cough after a cold, and when i really have a coughing fit, not only do i retch, sometimes more but it feels if all my bodily you know what's fail me, i am so down, so wish this will go away.

You doing the right thing, get the gp to check her out. :T

emlou2009

if the stomach acid is rising in her throat, it is probably that which is causing the cough!

tori.k

My 11 yr old son suffers with it, he used to be on motilum (sp) when he was little but he suffer with the side effects, so doesnt take anything at the moment other then pepermint cordial now and again, its a pain as food is a nightmare the best of times and he only eats little and often(feels like he's grazing 24/7 ) and he is very small for his age.
Note down what she is eating as we found certain foods i wouldnt of thought of triggers him like raw green pepers, and he would rather pull out his hair then eat chips or white bread, also we slightly raised the end of his bed so he sleeps better, i feel so sorry for you both there is nothing worse then watching a child in pain

skiTTish

tori do you know that pepermint has been proven to cause the valve at the top of the stomach to relax and can actually cause reflux

tori.k

No i didnt Skittish, thanks for the info(as she places he world's worse mum hat on again) and worse its something ive given him for years, as my mum always gave it to my brother, for some weird reason alot the men on mums side of the family have suffered reflux from children but not any of the girls.

skiTTish

Its crazy isnt it ?,i always assumed it was good for the tummy too ,apparently its great for indigestion etc because it relaxes the esophagus but that the reason why its bad for reflux ,a relaxed esophagus is a leaky one .

bambihan

I had this in my late teens, most likely caused from being at an awkward angle while eating (picture a lazy teenager lounging on the sofa!) The doctor said the stomach acid had risen up and burned the tube (sorry don't know correct term), and after that was repeatedly rising up for a couple of weeks. I could barely eat as everything was so sore, I was prescribed some disgusting stuff like Gaviscon but worse and eventually it went. Ever since I have been very careful to sit up properly when eating!

BIGGER_THAN_THE_GAME

I occasionally suffer from reflux, but I will add I am 37. Commonly when I am unwell or have eaten the wrong food.

The reflux seems to occur when heartburn is at its worse.

I am prescribed omeprazole to be take every night.

As a first port of call in aiding your child I would recommend doing a quick search on heartburn, and in particular foods to avoid. These will be things like garlic, raw onion, oranges, chocolate, pop, spicy foods and high fat foods.

It does not mean that he/she cannot have a treat once in a while, but this can be done by balancing it out with high fibre cereals and drinking water. I have reduced coffee and tea consumption which also seems to help.

A finally I strongly recommend pro-biotic yoghurts, particularly Asda's range - unfortunately cannot remember the name but very reasonably priced.