I am looking advice mainly for my 10 yr old daughter.Unfortunately,she started having reflux problems a few months ago.I was'nt sure what was going on at first and it scared the crap out of me.She came running to me one day saying she could not breath.Now of course I knew she was getting some air in otherwise shed of not been speaking but it was obvious her airway was somewhat restricted.She was coughing and so I just had her sit down and continue to cough and it eventually cleared up.I suposse what was going on is reflux shed panic and end up aspirating on the stuff.The doctor checked her throat seen it looked irritated and prescribedan anti acid called Ranitidine.So far it's been working great as long as she takes one of these pills every morning and evening no more episodes.This stuff does seem to run in the family my grandmother always had indigestion/reflux problems and used to pop rolaides like candy..my sister has problems with it and I myself had a horrible time with indigestion/reflux during my pregnancies and still sometimes now having to pop some rolaides or Tums.What im looking for is advice from experianced people on the best ways to control this ...will m daughter always have to take medication? and could that do her harm too? Is there also other ways to combat this? ..foods to avoid? I realize she should stay away from acidy foods/drinks anything else? She is also a bit overweight ,not much,would it help her to lose that bit extra?
thanks for your input

Mom - our son was diagnosed with reflux as an infant. He grew out of it. Pepcid is very safe. Antiacids do nothing but reduce the acid in the stomach. Partial Pump Inhibitors of PPI's are something you wouldn't want her on for an extended period of time. At her age, I would doubt she would be on this type of medication.

Perhaps it might make you feel better to have a fast acting inhaler handy. Ask her doctor to call her one in. Just having that lying around really eases a mother's mind.

Losing a little weight might help - but make it fun for her. Play outdoor games like tag or something that she doesn't realize is excercise. My son is on a low fat diet because he got pancreatitis last year. Special K bars are really yummy and Nabisco has these cookie packs called 100 Calorie Packs . . . they come in oreo, peanut butter, chocolate chip etc. Fresh chicken in also low fat - at only 0.5 grams per two pieces. You cam buy preready bread crumbs. Roll the chicken strips in egg yolk and then roll in the bread mix. Bake at 425. My son loves them and he is so picky. He eats it with honeymustard. Yum.

The key is to not emphasize lsoing the weight - just eating healthy. It's so easy for girls to develop a bad self image. My daughter is on the overweight side too. It's important that they know they are just as gorgeous than anyother little girl. =)

God bless you!

Thanks B143C you have been really helpful and you're right with the weight thing it needs to be about eating healthy and exercise.I could certainly eat heaalthier myself so my daughter and I could make it a team effort :)


have a great weekend