Sorry I haven't been around that much again but things have been a little hectic here testing, having doctor's appointments, researching and making decisions about our children's health care. The reflux side of things for our family is easy I have to say.
Gem saw her paediatrician last week because her reflux symptoms had deteriorated and the final straw was three decayed permanent teeth at age six years - whether or not this is reflux related we don't know. We were left with no option because of her high doses of medication but to consider surgery. We have the referral and I will make an appointment tomorrow. It is possible that Losec is controlling the acidity well but that the volume of reflux is the problem as she complains of actual reflux and sickness rather than pain most of the time.
Our eldest got another lot of test results back the previous week looking for endocrine problems. They didn't help exclude or confirm the cause, so it is still taking our time and energy exploring with her doctors the best next course of action. It is almost 14 months since she became unwell and she is definitely a lot better with her current treatment than she was this time last year.

Wow Roz, such big decisions happening in your house huh? Good luck with everything. It would be nice to know what causes things to work wouldn't it? About as much as it would be nice to know what is actually wrong in the first place! Good luck with everything, thanks for the update .

Its a shame that you are having to consider surgery with Gem, but hey...maybe we could ask our favourite surgeon whose name I won't mention....seeing as Jayden is going to be having his surgery before Christmas, maybe they could organise to book Gem in at the same time and then Jayden and Gem can keep each other company and we can be there for each other too!!!! Sounds like a plan to me!!!!!

Hi Lynda
That could very well happen. I just phoned for the appointment and she is seeing him tomorrow.
I had also thought of that and even mentioned it to hubby, but I was thinking a little more along the lines of taking turns being "mum" to both children. I think Gem will probably want her own mum/dad though, and I don't have too much clue with boys. I wonder how often we could sneak out for coffee together! Not that the coffee is that great.

Hi Roz, sorry to hear that you are having a hard time of things lately. It is not nice to have to have your child go under the knife but I can honestly say that Logan having his fundoplication was the best thing we could have ever done. The surgeon tried to talk me out of him having it the morning of his op but I stuck to my guns thankfully.

I know the circumstances are slightly different - Logan was 18 months old when he had it done but he recovered from the surgery reasonably quickly and hasn't looked back since, a much happier and active little boy.

Lyn, good luck for Jayden's surgery too, I hope he recovers with heaps of time to enjoy Xmas!

Yeah I agree Roz....Jayden will only want me when he is miserable but it would be great for us to have the adult company and support and being able to sneak out for coffee sounds good too...but the hospital coffee is awful so we will have to stock up on our own!!!! The kids would probably appreciate having each other too.

Will look forward to an update from you later...are you seeing the surgeon privately to be getting in that quickly? and in that case would you be having the surgery done at public or private?? Not that I'm sure if he does the fundos privately but I don't know

Good luck!!!! At least we can face it together

Sounds like a great plan for a bad situation!!!You will be great support for each other.
I will be keeping my fingers and toes crossed for both of you it is NO FUN having older refluxers, and heres hoping for a brighter future for Gem and Jayden.
Keep us posted ladies
Mariya & James

Thanks for all the kind thoughts. It has only taken me two days to get back here.

I've found it interesting that although we weren't surprised about the referral for surgery, a lot of family and friends (and even her teacher) have been. I guess we have just got on with things as best as we can and as we didn't want to think about it also didn't talk about it much, plus of course we have had a more unwell child to deal with too.

The surgeon advised that he would recommend surgery and that because of her obvious symtpoms of actual reflux (rather than pain) that negative tests (pH study, scope etc) wouldn't change his decision. She has had a barium swallow in the past so we know her anatomy is okay. It hasn't been a difficult decision to make and she may have the surgery this year. We'll looking forward to not having to give medications and it will be interesting to see if what I think are side-effects of these go away.

Yes, Lynda the appointment with the surgeon was private (even for private I thought that was rather quick to get in) but she will have it done publicly. He was great with Gem and explained the surgery well.

We think we have a reasonable plan for our eldest but still have some things to sort out. She is doing well.

Hi Roz
Sounds like you are getting on top of things. I hope all goes well for the surgery and it will be very interesting to see how things change for Gem. It's alot to think about before Christmas!
Claire

Welcome back Roz.

This all sounds promising and I hope the surgery will go ahead before Christmas (if that's what you prefer).

Thanks for the updates!

We have just found out (not confirmed in writing yet) that Jayden will be having his surgery on Tues Dec 5th, so hopefully he will be recovered in time to enjoy Christmas, and Roz, I'll have a chat to the surgeon and try and get Gem in on the same day aye??!!

Yep, sure Lynda . If she doesn't have it done that week or the following, it will be next year I expect as I hear they are closing beds over the school holidays.