Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
My grandson has GERD. He is only a few mos old and occasionally needs a PPI. I myself think that GERD is related to lyme because when I got bit a few years back, I came down with major GERD.
I recently went to visit my daughter and son in law, and I am quite sure my SIL has lyme, and think my daughter has it too.
I think the baby may have babs too (air hunger). I am heart broken over this. It has taken me about 3 weeks to absorb it all. The saddest thing is, they don't have a clue (even though I watched Under Our Skin with them).
Last weekend the baby quit breathing in the middle of the night. Thank god my daughter bought a breathing type baby monitor. Long story short, he had a couple of required vaccines that day. My daughter shook him and managed to get him to start breathing again (he's okay).
My grandson did not have a PPI for 2 weeks. so I guess it's possible some stomach acid crept up into his throat and closed it (this has happened to me about a dozen times in my lifetime).
In my case, the ENT doc told me that the throat has a valve in it to protect us from inhaling anything coming up from our stomachs (while we sleep). Once it senses it, it closes. The only way to open it is to start swallowing again (several times to release the valve).
So, I guess I'm wondering if this is what happened to my grandson. Has anyone else experienced this? Of course the hospital said that it could have been a reaction from the two vaccines he had. That sounds like it may have been the problem, but then, there's the GERD issue.
Of course I'm also wondering if Gerd is linked to SIDS. Any thoughts?
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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sammy
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Member # 13952
posted
Reflux/GERD is very common in babies.
I know that you will always worry about your grand baby, but you should not worry that just because they have GERD that this means they have Lyme too.
Is your grand baby being treated by a pediatric gastroenterologist? They usually recommend regular daily dosing of medication like Zantac or Prilosec to control and prevent the symptoms from reoccurring.
Since you said the baby had symptoms of "air hunger" that makes me think that it should be re-evaluated by a specialist. Maybe it is not being treated properly as difficulty breathing is a major symptom. Or maybe the doctor and parents were trying to see if the baby could handle stopping the reflux medication?
Some babies cannot sleep in bed for the first few months of life. They are much more comfortable, able to breathe easier, sleeping more upright in their swings, carriers, or car seats. It doesn't look as cute as having a baby sleep in their own bed but comfort and health are what is important.
Just some thoughts.
Hopefully your grand baby will grow out of this GERD stuff soon and be a healthy happy boy Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Catgirl
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Member # 31149
posted
It is so frustrating trying to guess all of this stuff.
I have babs and a bunch of other co infections, so of course, I recognized the tell-tale air hunger. I recently asked a friend if her babies did that, and she said, no. So, of course, I'm concerned. It's been a while since I've had a little one, so I don't know if an occasional air gasp is normal or not.
My SIL also goes camping (in canada) every year. I definately see lyme in him.
I am so surprised to hear that reflux/gerd is common in babies. I don't remember seeing or hearing about it in babies 30 years ago, but that doesn't mean it didn't necessarily exist then. I still wonder if it's lyme.
No, I don't think my grandson is being treated by a gastroenterologist, but I will suggest the idea to my daughter. They do give him zantac, but he hasn't had any in a couple of weeks. I guess they give it to him as needed.
Thank you both for your advice. Maybe more people will have more ideas too?
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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sammy
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Member # 13952
posted
Hey Catgirl, you're right, this is frustrating.
Sounds like you might want to help your daughter and grand son get tested for Lyme and Co's. I hope for their sake that they don't have it. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
About the air hunger symptom, you know that whatever he is doing is not normal. GERD can cause asthma like symptoms of cough, difficulty breathing, gasping for breath, and almost wheezing like sounds. So you need a good gastroenterologist that is used to working with babies that will recognize this or rule it out.
You probably have known more babies with GERD than you realize. Babies that used to be considered colicky and unconsolable often suffered from GERD. It is now more recognized and usually treated by pediatricians (at least from what I have seen locally).
If you live close enough, it might be nice if you could go to some doctor's appts with your daughter and grandson. That way you can help your daughter and be an extra set of ears to ask questions and absorb information from the doctor.
Take care Catgirl Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
Both my kids had gerd/were very colicky. I am sorry your family had to go through that. Having the baby stop breathing must have been very scary
I don't have any advice. I often wonder if family members of mine have lyme. My dad was bit 3 years ago and following that he had vision problems, ringing ears, problems with his bowels, chronic cough and lately very sore soles of his feet. He is tough and won't mention he is not feeling well. so I find it hard to bring it up.
It must be hard to bring up the subject to your daughter, its such a sensitive topic. I hope your little grand baby grows out of the gerd. Mine both suffered the first 6 months. And I do worry about them having an infection passed on by me. Its tough on mom as well. Especially a first baby.
best wishes for their health
Posts: 199 | From Niagara Falls | Registered: Dec 2009
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
If the baby has gastrointestinal reflux, you can put him to bed with the head of the bed elevated slightly.
This will mean that the acidic stomach contents would have to flow upwards to reach the throat, and reduces the chances of baby inhaling them.
In adults, this is done by putting blocks under the legs of the bed, three or four inches high. For babies, you could do this with the bassinet or crib, or put a folded blanket under one end of the crib mattress, so that it tilts a bit.
Of course, this means that the baby would keep sliding down, and I'm not sure what the answer is to that.
I too suspect that colic in babies and GERD may be related to tick borne infection. I would not stop breast feeding though, as mother's milk is better nutritionally and more easily digested.
The brain gets superb nutrition, and elements in the milk reinforce the baby's immune system. Babies who nurse get fewer ear infections and other illnesses.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
Thanks Sammy. I wish we lived closer to them. They are in texas and we are in northeast. I'm not absolutely sure, but I don't think there are any lyme docs in texas. Maybe a neighboring state though? Although, I don't really know about the southern states (whether or not they accept lyme is real).
I tried to convince them about lyme disease, but I think they just think I'm lyme obsessed. I've told them that it's more that I'm lyme literate. We even watched Under Our Skin together. My daughter thought that everyone in UOS were from worse case scenarios.
I don't think my SIL thought it was real, or maybe he couldn't comprehend it anymore than a lot of people in our society can. I guess there will always be people who disagree.
It's hard to convince anyone to recognize that they might have this horrible disease and/or co infections. No one wants to join this club. I myself have probably had this my whole life (bit as a child, and then many times since).
Thank you Hopeful and Carol. And I appreciate everyone's support here very much. :)
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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