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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2019 16:56:48 GMT
DS2 is 2 years old (just turned). He weighs 24 pounds. He's always been a very tiny child. He was adopted which is relevant to factors which may or may not contribute to our problem. His birth mom is small. He was full term, but she used drugs and alcohol during her pregnancy so we've always wondered if that's a contributing factor to his little size. DS2 tested clean at birth and has had no major health issues.
When he was an infant, he couldn't pass a BM without assistance. We suspected it was the brand of formula and after a switch, he eventually got "normal." He got older and we added cow's milk. He couldn't make it through the night because he metabolizes so quickly and his tummy was so tiny. So he still gets formula at bedtime. It is dairy-based and we top it off with milk. During the day, he has a very healthy, well-rounded appetite.
Once in a while, he started throwing up at bedtime. We thought it was because he was tantruming about going to sleep and just worked himself up. Then a few times, he threw up without being agitated. But they were spaced out so we assumed illness. Then it started happening weekly. Then a couple times a week.
Twice now, he's done it in the daytime at meal time with regular food. Those two episodes were far from each other.
Then this week, it's been every single night at bedtime, without agitation preceding. He'll be just lying there sleeping or attempting to sleep and then he sits up suddenly and throws up.
He drinks milk in the daytime, too. And takes naps. Never has this issue at nap time.
It goes like this. He's fine. Then suddenly, he looks very distressed and immediately vomits. As soon as he's done, he's back to normal in both mood and appetite. Aside from the two daytime incidents which happened months apart from each other, every single other episode has been at night. I thought maybe it was reflux?
We went to pediatrician this week, and she sent us to the lab yesterday and they took 3 vials of blood. They're running like 10 tests. They're looking for allergies, celiac, diabetes, and a couple other things I can't even remember. But we won't have any answers for another week and a half. She didn't even mention reflux and I forgot to ask. I also wonder if his exposure in the womb could be a factor. Both of these latter questions are on my list for followup.
So in the meantime, has anyone dealt with something similar? I wonder if the early digestion issues and this could be related--but why normal in between? And why has this come on suddenly now? There have been no other changes in his diet.
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iluvpink
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Post by iluvpink on Jan 18, 2019 17:06:06 GMT
I have no idea really but I wonder if it could be reflux related. Is it happening after he is lying down?
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flute4peace
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Post by flute4peace on Jan 18, 2019 17:13:54 GMT
This happened to my sister when she was about that age - or maybe a little younger. Ear infections, strep throat and random vomiting. They ended up doing food intolerance testing (different from allergy testing - they tested hair samples) and learned that processed corn was the culprit for the ear infections and vomiting. Field corn was fine, but anything processed made her sick. Corn syrup, corn starch, dextrose etc - and it's in a LOT of products. She also couldn't have milk but we knew that from birth. Also, the strep throat tendency was coming from chlorine in tap water. Once her diet was adjusted, she was just fine. She's an adult now and still has to watch out for those foods.
I think the reflux angle is highly suspicious for your son, especially if it happens when he's laying down. Or, could he be having nightmares and it's an anxiety response?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2019 17:34:49 GMT
I suspected reflux, which is why I was surprised that she didn't mention it at all.
99% of the time he's awake, so I don't think it's nightmares.
Her first suspicion was celiac, which I didn't understand...
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Post by malibou on Jan 18, 2019 17:50:04 GMT
A former brother-in-law had similar symptoms as a kid. I don't know a whole lot about it, but I do remember the vomiting at night even though he wasnt sick and lots of BM trouble as a baby. He ended up having some sort of kinks in his intestines that were the cause. When he was upright I guess the kinks relaxed a bit, but when he laid down it compressed and caused the vomiting.
Wishing your little guy answers.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 18, 2019 17:58:16 GMT
Poor little guy. He's had a rough go, hasn't he?
I vomit when I eat eggs, but it happens within 15 minutes or so. He could be reacting because he's had dairy all day. Or another food. Or just food.
I suspect reflux, too. A few years ago I had horrible vertigo and was throwing up in bed. No warning, just awake and done. I was fine after. We attributed it to the vertigo, but even once the vertigo subsided, I was still throwing up. The dr prescribed Nexium and I've been fine since. I don't have heartburn, just the vomiting.
There are some recent studies that show long term use of reflux/heartburn meds can cause issues. But there are also studies that show that the reflux/heartburn itself can cause issues.
Since it's every day now, I'd probably change something up myself. Raise the head of his bed slightly by putting a pillow under the mattress. Add a reflux med at bedtime. Cut dairy. I'd only do one thing and probably try the inclined mattress first because it's the least invasive. You could try putting him to bed with a big beach towel to vomit into. I never did buckets with my kids--they never once hit it. But at least a towel would contain the mess and beach towels are large and thick enough if there are chunks. Coach him to just throw up--don't try to get out of bed. Again, just to contain the mess.
Good luck. I can imagine that bedtime is no fun and that you are doing a ton of laundry. Hugs, Mama.
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Post by librarylady on Jan 18, 2019 18:05:58 GMT
Have you tried goat's milk?
I have known of more than one child who could not digest cow's milk, but did fine when switched to goat's milk.
I'd suspect lactose intolerant or celiac disease.
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Post by angieh1996 on Jan 18, 2019 18:09:51 GMT
It sounds similar to what happened with my DS when he was younger. Started around the same age. His was reflux. It would happen at bedtime, middle of the night, school etc. we got him started on a daily med to help it. He also has a very bad gag reflex. Even to this day and he’s 21. So if he has a little heart burn and burps a little up he will gag and puke.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2019 18:32:04 GMT
Reflux.
And at 2 he doesn’t need milk of any kind, or juice.
You can give him the pedialite supplement. Or boost ( boost is cheaper).
Tiny meals. No processed food, it makes the reflux worse. Be careful with Apple products.
My daughter was only 24 pounds when she started kindergarten. Her story is a whole thread in it’s self. But I will say they grow! If you want to talk about it pm me.
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Post by colleen on Jan 18, 2019 19:12:32 GMT
My kid had reflux about that age too. He rarely spit up as baby. But once he was on solid foods we learned very fast that if he indicated he had enough, stop! He'd projectile vomit the whole meal right at you. If he got upset when he had a full stomach, he'd vomit. They called it reflux, but it was really that whatever keeps your food in your stomach (can you tell I'm not a medical professional?) was immature or underdeveloped or something. He eventually grew out of it, but we kept his diet bland, replaced a lot of the milk with water when possible, and minimized the rough housing on a full stomach (easier said than done).
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jan 18, 2019 19:18:06 GMT
but it was really that whatever keeps your food in your stomach (can you tell I'm not a medical professional?) was immature or underdeveloped or something. the sphincter muscle at the bottom of his esophagus / top of his stomach? (it's a 'ring-shaped' muscle, I think...) My dad has had reflux issues for years, and they first figured it out because he would be sick at night, and would lay down on the couch to read / watch TV. |
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Post by colleen on Jan 18, 2019 19:24:38 GMT
he sphincter muscle at the bottom of his esophagus / top of his stomach? (it's a 'ring-shaped' muscle, I think...) That sounds right! It's been a few years (he's 30 now!). Thanks for explaining it better! |
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kelly8875
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Post by kelly8875 on Jan 18, 2019 19:32:24 GMT
Maybe it’s a lactose intolerance? DD was sensitive when she was a baby through about 5. She threw up a lot. As a baby we were able to change her formula to Carnation (I think that was it), and it was much gentler on her. Vomiting stopped for a long time for her. Now she’s 17, and is starting to notice her own body/feelings, and thinks she has some intolerance issues she notices. She doesn’t throw up, but she’s learning her body. I also have issues. Poor little guy, I hope you’re able to get some answers. That age is hard because they can’t tell you  |
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Post by bc2ca on Jan 18, 2019 19:47:41 GMT
Nothing to add except I hope you get answers quickly.
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Post by ameslou on Jan 18, 2019 19:56:59 GMT
I would eliminate all dairy (cow milk, yogurt, cheese, etc) for a few days and see if that had any impact on the frequency of vomiting. It’s easy to add it back in if no changes notes. Good luck - I hope y’all get some answers and that he feels better.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jan 18, 2019 19:57:53 GMT
one more thing- I don't know if it can happen this way with kids, but my dad's reflux is the kind called 'silent reflux' in that the obvious symptoms (hearburn / acid, etc.) aren't there. He had a cough that they could NOT get to go away, and finally got to a doctor who said 'do you / did you have problems with reflux?' and switched up his reflux medication. Voila!! cough gone.
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RedSquirrelUK
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Jan 18, 2019 20:11:34 GMT
Poor little guy. Is it projectile vomit?
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flute4peace
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Post by flute4peace on Jan 18, 2019 20:20:28 GMT
one more thing- I don't know if it can happen this way with kids, but my dad's reflux is the kind called 'silent reflux' in that the obvious symptoms (hearburn / acid, etc.) aren't there. He had a cough that they could NOT get to go away, and finally got to a doctor who said 'do you / did you have problems with reflux?' and switched up his reflux medication. Voila!! cough gone. This happened to my DH. The reflux was triggering his asthma. He would feel tightness in his chest, take the inhaler and it would go away. The doctors had been puzzled as to why the preventive asthma meds never worked for him, just the inhalers. It was finally discovered a few years ago when he was hospitalized for chest pains and they scoped him and found a lifetime of upper GI damage. He's cut out many foods and takes an rx and his inhaler usage has dropped to about 25% of what it once was. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2019 20:33:55 GMT
Thank you all for the suggestions. We've been trying to reduce dairy to see if it helps. Sadly, it's among his (all of our) favorite foods so it's hard to go cold turkey. He won't touch any of the milk alternatives we've tried so far but he did take a few bites of almond milk yogurt this morning. He was whimpering for a glass of milk. He was so excited when I handed him a cup that had half regular milk, half lactose-free milk. He took a big sip and then looked so disappointed |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2019 20:34:16 GMT
Poor little guy. Is it projectile vomit? Yes |
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jan 18, 2019 20:55:45 GMT
Thank you all for the suggestions. We've been trying to reduce dairy to see if it helps. Sadly, it's among his (all of our) favorite foods so it's hard to go cold turkey. He won't touch any of the milk alternatives we've tried so far but he did take a few bites of almond milk yogurt this morning. He was whimpering for a glass of milk. He was so excited when I handed him a cup that had half regular milk, half lactose-free milk. He took a big sip and then looked so disappointed Have you tried Lactaid milk? It is supposed to be "real" milk with the lactose removed. I think there's a milk issue for some people that has to do with the proteins, rather than lactose. I'm sorry I don't know more, it's just kind of a vague recollection of something I read. Your doctor may know more. But I think, if that's the issue, you can also buy milk that has the problem protein removed. |
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Post by birukitty on Jan 18, 2019 21:54:45 GMT
Thank you all for the suggestions. We've been trying to reduce dairy to see if it helps. Sadly, it's among his (all of our) favorite foods so it's hard to go cold turkey. He won't touch any of the milk alternatives we've tried so far but he did take a few bites of almond milk yogurt this morning. He was whimpering for a glass of milk. He was so excited when I handed him a cup that had half regular milk, half lactose-free milk. He took a big sip and then looked so disappointed Yes, it is hard, but what's harder? Giving up something because it tastes good, or watching your child suffer because a food may be causing his medical condition? You won't know if diary is causing his medical condition until you stop the dairy you are giving him 100%. As a 2 year old you can't reason with him that you are doing this for his own good, so he will fuss and cry about it. You'll probably face a few temper tantrums over it. But you are the parent. You know what is best for him. If this is the culprit it will be easily solved without medication and more suffering for him. I think you can support him best by not having dairy food around the house for him to see other people enjoying. That would make it so much harder for him. It takes about a month for the cravings to stop but it does happen. I quit dairy 5 years ago next month. It has improved my health. My asthma completely disappeared. There is a great book called "Whitewash: The Disturbing Truth about Cow's Milk and your Health" by Joseph Keon. I haven't read it but looking through it on Amazon it shows all of the information I've gathered over the past 5 years and even more. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 18, 2019 22:16:22 GMT
Thank you all for the suggestions. We've been trying to reduce dairy to see if it helps. Sadly, it's among his (all of our) favorite foods so it's hard to go cold turkey. He won't touch any of the milk alternatives we've tried so far but he did take a few bites of almond milk yogurt this morning. He was whimpering for a glass of milk. He was so excited when I handed him a cup that had half regular milk, half lactose-free milk. He took a big sip and then looked so disappointed Have you tried Lactaid milk? It is supposed to be "real" milk with the lactose removed. I think there's a milk issue for some people that has to do with the proteins, rather than lactose. I'm sorry I don't know more, it's just kind of a vague recollection of something I read. Your doctor may know more. But I think, if that's the issue, you can also buy milk that has the problem protein removed. I have issues with the protein in milk, but do well with the new A2 milk. It’s made from cows who only produce the one A2 protein and is easier to digest. Best of all, it tastes like normal milk (says DH—the poster child for milk drinkers). I can drink Fairlife milk in small quantities (which also tastes like normal milk), but LF dairy products do nothing for me. |
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AmandaA
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Post by AmandaA on Jan 18, 2019 22:23:02 GMT
I don’t have any first hand experience, but if you are in an area with access to pediatric specialties I would be pushing for a referral to peds GI asap. That frequency and intensity of vomiting would be worrisome to me, not to mention the child, and that is a long time to wait for any sort of preliminary answers before seeking additional testing and expertise.
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ddly
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Post by ddly on Jan 18, 2019 22:34:51 GMT
I was thinking lactose intolerance, too. Have you tried Fairlife or Lactaid?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2019 22:41:40 GMT
The every day thing only started this week so we acted on it pretty quickly. Tried Fairlife-he will drink a little. We’re going to try A2, too. Thank you!
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Post by llinin on Jan 19, 2019 3:05:14 GMT
Though reflux or some type of allergy sounds likely it is great you are getting him worked up.
I agree with a previous poster that I’d elevate the head of his bed. It will help with reflux symptoms. More importantly it can help prevent aspiration.
Hope he feels better!
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jan 19, 2019 4:08:37 GMT
No advice about what might be causing it, but something easy you can do for yourself would be to get one or two big pieces of PUL (polyurethane lined fabric like they use for the outside of cloth diaper covers now) from JoAnn’s and put that on top of his blankets, underneath a big towel. It’s soft on the front and waterproof on the back so if he barfs on his bed, at least it won’t soak through all the blankets and sheets. We got a piece to put on our bed when my last dog was having problems with incontinence and it was a life saver for my sanity. If you sew, you could sew cozy fabric or terrycloth to the back so it’s more like a real blanket.
Hugs, it really sucks when your little one is sick and you don’t have a lot of options to help them feel better.
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gsquaredmom
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Post by gsquaredmom on Jan 19, 2019 4:40:25 GMT
Keep a food diary. It could be a food additive or another food. I have always had trouble with hot dogs and hamburger fillers and preservatives, for example. Could be dairy but could also be another food or additive.
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flute4peace
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Post by flute4peace on Jan 19, 2019 5:06:57 GMT
Keep a food diary. It could be a food additive or another food. I have always had trouble with hot dogs and hamburger fillers and preservatives, for example. Could be dairy but could also be another food or additive. Definitely do this. And with my sister they told us that an intolerance can take up to 2 days to show symptoms. For her it’s sometimes even longer. A couple of times a year her body will just purge itself (yea gross, sorry). |
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