On the 11th, we were back in the ENT's office to see if the prevacid had helped Phoebe with her reflux. We had run out of the prescription the Saturday before, but they did not want to refill it until they knew if it was helping or making even the slightest difference.
Unfortunately I could not report that the medication was doing anything for Phoebe. The only thing I had noticed was that harsh gulping sound Phoebe would make when she would swallow sometimes was happening more frequently, and now it was happening with all foods, even drinking.
The ENT knew we had a follow up coming up with the GI to discuss this, so she opted to not scope Phoebe, not refill the prevacid and wait to see what the GI wants to do next.
Phoebe saw her GI on the 10th. Not only would we be discussing this gulping sound, but the doctor wanted to see if the added supplements have been helping Phoebe go to the bathroom.
At this appointment I was able to report good news. The added supplements have been helping Phoebe! Instead of a once a week/week and a half "number 2", she was now going 4 to 5 times a week. The supplements she suggested and in the doses she suggested were working. The only thing that had not changed was been the size and consistency. Because of this she wants us to add more oil into her diet to help.
When we began to discuss the gulping, we both knew there was the possibility of an endoscopy in the future. But before we schedule it, the doctor wants to have some more information about Phoebe's eating behavior first.
What the doctor wants to know is if Phoebe can go a meal without drinking. Dinner is the only meal we have all the kids eat before getting something to drink so they do not fill up. Dinner is also the one meal that is a guaranteed fight to get Phoebe to eat.
She also wants to know if Phoebe is favoring certain foods. Are there foods that will undoubtedly being about this gulping and because of this does she avoid these foods? Is it always the same foods or is it all foods at any time?
She wants me to record these things down and bring Phoebe back in three months to further discuss an endoscopy. I emailed the head doctor in charge of Phoebe's care to get his opinion on these follow ups. While I am in no rush to do an endoscopy, I do not want this to continue to get worse or there potentially be a problem going on that is being overlooked.
Photo: 1st day without swelling since last Wednesday, but she's still all smiles waiting for her GI follow up