Update on Sam
4 Feb 2001
For no apparant reason, Sam's bout of reflux trouble has disappeared almost completely. It has been over 2 months since he has asked for any of the homepathic or natural treatments we'd been using to alleviate his reflux pain.
While we are relieved that he is doing well again, the uncertainty as to what caused his problems and the reason for the cessation of those problems is frustrating, as is the possibility of more to come in the future.
Previous Update on Sam
28 May, 2000
Sam is now four years old, and to our great dismay, seems to have started refluxing again. It started a couple of months ago with occasional choking and gagging and Sam would complain that "it's coming up." At first we assumed he had eaten too fast and that food was backing up on top of the tiny hole left by the fundoplication, but his episodes happen long after he is done eating. Currently, he has about one such episode a day. It does not seem to be related to any specific food or time of day.
We are trying out different natural remedies, specifically a
homeopathic heartburn treatment and slippery elm. We have not taken
him to a doctor for this yet, partly because we want to avoid the
invasive tests that will be recommended, and partly because of Sam's
deep fear of doctors. We do not understand why he is suddenly having
this problem after so many years, as it "should" be nearly
impossible. His fundoplication is held in place by scar tissue, and
he has had no traumatic events which could have loosened it.
Other than this, he is still a happy and healthy four year old. I am sure that we are more distressed by his recent complaints than he is. When he feels "it coming up" he simply asks for a remedy and quickly goes back to playing. All we can do is watch and hope things don't get any worse.