Thanks for helping - and you didn't even know!

[Jodi]

Hey Unomaser's!

Just wanted to say that through my readings, I think I've discovered that Ryan has reflux - a kinda happy/sad moment!

He's been waking up nightly and I have been in touch with the ENT regarding another sleep study thinking it was related to apnea. But recently Ryan has been coughing... waking up coughing, coughing during the day - but no fever/sickness. I started reading some posts and hadn't even considered reflux, but for some reason it just recently clicked.

We are going to try previcid (sp?) and see if that helps.

Some of you mentioned a swallow study - what's that all about? Ryan's doc just gave us a prescription and said monitor him and see if there are any improvements. So I'm not 100% sure - we'll see.

So - THANKS!

Jodi

[wrblack]

After our visit with Dr. Pipan at T21 Program at CHOP, discussed some gagging and spit up following his recent T&A, she ordered a milk scan, sometimes called a gastroesophageal scintiscan. Study showed moderate reflux but with no aspiration. Charlie was amazingly good about being taped down on a table for about an hour. He now gets 4 ml Zantac twice a day.
Reflux, and other GI problems, could also be diagnosed by barium swallow. Charlie did one of those long, long time ago, early days in NICU. With Charlie's barium swallow, neonatologist was checking for pyloric stenosis. Charlie was not putting expressed breast milk through his system fast enough to suit Dr. Harry. Barium swallow cleared that up. What didn't come flying back out where it went in, shortly thereafter came flying out the other end. Oh, sorry if too graphic. And following the study, Charlie picked up on his feedings and gaining. I asked Dr. Harry if he were going to do a paper on the therapeutic value of barium swallow in the care of premature infants with Down syndrome.


From
www.reflux1.com/care/Refluxdiag10.cfm

<< Milk Scan

Overview:
Reviewed by Dr. Richard Alweis
The milk scan may be one of a number of tests performed on a child with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, or heartburn). It can determine whether refluxed liquid is aspirated into the lungs—in other words, if heartburn is causing lung problems as well. The adult version is called gastroesophageal scintigraphy.

Detailed Information:
The child drinks formula with a harmless amount of radioactivity in it. He or she will then lie on a table while a camera views the movement of the liquid. The camera can see if the liquid is inhaled. This test is not always conclusive. However, you may want to explore treatment options, even if the relationship between GERD and lung problems is not definite.



Barium Swallow (Esophagram)

Overview:
Reviewed by Dr. Richard Alweis
Barium swallows are performed as part of a gastrointestinal tract examination, like the Upper GI Series. The patient drinks a "shake" with barium in it. Using x-rays, the radiologist then tracks the barium as it flows through the esophagus, stomach and intestines.

The test is used to:


evaluate the possible causes of heartburn, such as hiatal hernia
detect ulcers or tumors
detect narrow places in the intestinal tract, known as strictures
determine the cause of swallowing difficulties, vomiting or abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, chronic diarrhea or constipation, unexplained weight loss or bloating
Barium swallows, and the associated procedures, are generally performed as an outpatient procedure. The barium swallow with Upper GI Series should take under an hour; if you are having a small bowel follow-through, it can take up to six hours, so you may want to bring a book.

Barium can also be taken in enema form to examine the bowels and small intestine.

Pregnant women should avoid this procedure. >>

But, you're right. Frequent coughing, coughing at night could be a sign of reflux. TMI, again?
Bob

[eltstevens]

Travis has to have a swallow study done every six months and he doesn't really mind them. They put him in a seat that kind of looks like a car seat and then they put some kind of dye in some food and liquids and they x-ray him while he is eating and drinking. The dye shows up on the x-ray and they can tell if everything is going down the right way and not into his lungs and they can also see if it is going to the stomach and then back up like reflux.

[momofrussell]

Well, that is what we are all here for now isn't it! Keep us posted!

A.