should I use Zantac?

[sylvia Uziel]

My 10 week old son is still suffering from Colic, and I am about to go crazy!!!!. Two night ago we had such a bad night. He cried none stop and there was nothing I could do for him. It did not help that I was sick with a cold and fever. When he finally fell asleep after 4 hours of fussing and crying, I called my mom and cried for an hour on the phone. I kept asking why this was happening to me and why cant I enjoy my time with my son. After that bad day he was much better for the next two nights. Yesturday I went to see the G.I.(gastro) specialist and what he said made me feel so much better. The Dr. said that all babies are born with Colic it's just that some are lucky to get rid of it right a way. He reasured me that my baby was doing fine. Before I saw the doctor, he had his resident Dr. check my son out. When I asked if my son could have reflux,he said no because he was not trowing up. The Dr. gave as Zantac and I am scared to use it. I feel like they give it out like candy. Should I try it out? Could it be that he has reflux without the usual signs? He seems to be getting better the last 2 night so maybe I should wait it out. I am really not sure how safe it is and any feedback would help.

[Catherine Beasley]

sylvia,
I have a VERY conservative pediatrian who almost never gives out drugs. Zantac was the one and only drug he was willing to use. I have read it is not approved by the FDA for use in infants but has been considered "safe." My pediatrican said he has only seen mild effects in one infant he treated and when he stopped the drug the side effects went away. Zantac is not a drug you can use "as needed." To be effective you need to use it consisantly to achieve a certain level in the body so you can't give it one day but not the next. I decided not to use it and I regret it.
My baby typically cried 4-6hrs a night so I tried all forms of fennal to include tea and pediacalm--none of which worked for me. I think you should try it though because it could be that magic cure for Anna. And yes, babies can have reflux without throwing up. It is called silent reflux (according to my research.) My baby has reflux really bad but did not actually start spitting up until she was about a month old.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. Hard to believe it now though. Alison is almost 7 months old and still has her bad days but it is NOTHING like it used to be! Good luck and happy aniversery.