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9 yr old w/acid reflux/hearing loss/migraines/chest pain

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e32292
e32292

My 9 year old daughter appears to have acid reflux and is on increasing doses of Zantac to try to get symptoms under control. She also has a variety of other (fairly) recent conditions such as hearing loss (cookie bite, mid-range...hearing loss fluctuates from -50db in 1k,2k to normal range - left ear most affected) "ice pick" severe headaches which last typically 20 secs but are excruciating -- these occur 2-10x per month.) Headaches occur close to ear(s) but towards face (other causes of headaches ruled out - eyes / dental) No MRI yet. She gets upper chest pain, chronic sore throats (which often turn into strep) She is constantly clearing her throat which is chronically irritated. She often has so much mucus in her throat that it obstructs her breathing (which is terrifying)

She woke up with hearing loss in September - she complained that she couldn't hear at all out of left ear. Hearing fluctuates. 4 audiology tests have given different ranges of loss -- all in 1k and 2k with left ear more significant. Last test showed normal range, but a week later she complained again of loss of hearing. I'm being told that these things aren't related, but my gut is telling me that they are ie: when she forgets to take Zantac, hearing loss seems more pronounced or she gets severe headaches. Can any one offer any advice? How do I help her. Are there any studies showing a link or am I crazy?

 

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • elizabethG
    elizabethG e32292

    Posted

    Could she be having withdrawal symptoms when she forgets to take Zantac. Zantac is a very strong drug for a 9 year old child. It would also seem that she needs some urgent medical intervention of further investigations asap.
  • elizabethG
    elizabethG e32292

    Posted

    Have you looked at her diet for Reflux. 

    I wrote the following on another posting: These foods can cause havoc with Breathing, Cough and Mucus.

    You do have to look at diet and cut out many foods in order, to not produce too much acid. Foods like tomatoes and tomato sauce etc. Fatty foods such as meats and spicy foods. White bread. No cream cakes, biscuits, pastries. Foods made with batter. Sugary foods too, cause excessive acid. No ginger or apple cider vinegar, no lemon.

    I take Omeprazol or Lanzoprazole, I think these are milder than Zantac.

    Hope these answers help 

  • elizabethG
    elizabethG e32292

    Posted

    Sorry I forgot, Processed foods have ingredients that can cause adverse symptoms.
  • e32292
    e32292

    Posted

    She's gluten free (removed from diet as she was sick all the time...she seems to almost have autoimmune reaction to gluten, but doesn't present as celiac...anyways..seems to help a bit and doesn't involve medication) She doesn;t have much, if any fried food and all meals are made by scratch by me --very little processed food. Also limit her dairy intake.

    She's a good eater - lots of fruits and veggies.

    I have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, but she's presenting far worse symptoms than I have ever experienced...

  • thi20955
    thi20955 e32292

    Posted

    As a nine years old, she shouldnt take Zantac. She should have small meal. Diary intake should eliminate same with chocolate under different forms. Her earring loss could come from mucus get into ear but I didnt know for sure. Better check with specialist.
  • thi20955
    thi20955 e32292

    Posted

    Sorry, her hearring lost not earring lost. I feel sorry for you. Try to google all the symptoms. Good  luck
  • william81563
    william81563 e32292

    Posted

    I too have experience a sudden hearing loss, I can hear sounds, but can not undestand what is being said.  It kind of felt like I had been swimming and had water in my ear.  Went to a Ear Nose & Throat specalist and she found that I did have a build up of fluid in my inner ear.  Three rounds of different antibioatics and my hearing had improved, but still feel like I'm talking in a tunnel and have a lot of trouble understanding in a normal conversation or when watching TV.  She ran a scope up my nose and found a lot of irritation of the lower throat, caused by the reflux.  She changed me from Omeprezole to Nexium and doubled the dose (I'm now at 40 MG twice a day).  She ordered an MRI of my head and about all they found was a "mild mucosal thickening within the ethmold air cells" and a "Left mastoid effusion".  That all means that I still have some fluid buildup behind the left ear.  She want to wait another 30 days to see if things change.  I guess what I'm trying to say is there appears to be a direct link between reflux and hearing loss; so take care of reflux if at all possible, it can be much more than just an annoyance.
  • cheryl06050
    cheryl06050 e32292

    Posted

    My symptoms are can't take a deep breath, lump in the throat,  effort to swallow, lots of mucus/phlegm, nausea, and I get sicker after eating, throat clearing, hoarse voice, I also get dizzy at times. (I think this is part of the ear connection but not sure).  Having so much phlegm I spit it out rather than swallowing as it gags me and I start coughing.  I am now on 40mg Omeprazole which has made the nausea stop. I can eat without feeling sick. I am waiting for allergy test on 4/26/16. I have requested food allergy testing to be done, they will check for 39 different foods. I really didn't want this testing as I already know I am allergic to certain things, but I have never been tested for food allergies and I am now happy to do it.  The more information the better. From everything I have read, I think I have some sort of GERD, probably the silent type (Larynogopharyngeal) LPR for short. This type of reflux you don't know you have until it has caused problems in the esophagus. Now, of course in hind site, I see the symptoms that I just overlooked because I had bigger issues to fix, like my breathing, not knowing it was all related.Hope you find some relief soon...
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