hi,
my daughter is 3 1/2 yrs old, and has exhibited symptoms of reflux since infancy. We have tried pretty much every medication, with no improvement. An endoscopy showed esophogitis with a moderate eosinophil count (we have also tried the food-allergy angle, with no obvious improvement). Her primary symptoms are: frequent burping/swallowing/hiccupping ALWAYS accompanied by tilting her head drastically to the left, sometimes even bending all the way over (we think it's reasonable to consider this a possible sign of Sandifer's Syndrome, which is defined as any involuntary head tilting/back arching as a coping mechanism to reflux discomfort)... My question is twofold: is there anyone else who's child has reflux and who exhibits these "sandifer's" symptoms? I just haven't seen anyone mention it on this board, and it really is one of my daughters' primary symptoms. Also, have any of you found that your child actually has a hiaital hernia, and not reflux at all? I'm just trying to understand why these meds aren't working, and whether this is even an acid problem at all. We have an appt for a ph probe next week, which we are dreading. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
thanks.

My son was diagnosed with SS at age 9 months. We thought he was having seizures, but EEG and contrast CAT scan showed all was comletely normal, thankfully. Neurologist finally diagnosed SS after two long, scary, days of tests and an overnight hospital stay.

The Neuro. consulted with his Ped. and they upped his Zantac dosage. This kept the SS under control for about 6 months, until his normal weight gain caused him to outgrow the dosage. Another adjustment and all has been well ever since.

He will be 4 in Dec. and still spits up like a baby on the bad days. The good days are filled with numerous wet burps and chewing on regurgitated food that has been in his stomach all day due to delayed gastric emptying. Seems that after he has a growth spurt, the reflux really kicks in for a month or so until his stomach catches up, then it will get better for a while. But, having said all that, I am thankful it is not worse. So, far no feeding tubes, FTT, or anything like that.

He is on Nexium (currently 20mg in the AM and 20mg in the PM) and Zantac (3ml) as needed, but we mainly give it to him at night right at bedtime. In the past he took Prilosec until insurance decided not to cover it anymore. So far, the meds are working at keeping pain under control with the reflux. He has had two endoscopies 1 year apart and he shows no signs of esophageal damage. Only mild gastritis (irritation to the stomach lining). Also, no hernia noted.

Apparently, reflux runs in my family. My grandmother has it and my mother and I both have it along with Barrett's esophagus. My husband also has occaisional reflux. So, my son really didn't stand a chance at not having it.

The SS is scary, but at least it is treatable and will usually go away as fast as it starts. It is common but underdiagnosed.

I hope this has helped you. Good luck!