My child has kidney reflux, which is being treated with small doses of antibiotics. We would like to not use the antibiotics, but the only other solution is a medical procedure that would mean anesthesia. The procedure entails an endoscopic repair of reflux involving an injection of a bulking agent via a cystoscope under the ureteral orifice, creating an artificial flap valve. Basically they insert a medication at the end of the tubes going into the bladder, which should create a flap that would only allow urine to go into the bladder. Currently the urine goes back up into the kidney, and the antibiotic is taken to avoid kidney infections.
My question: Anyone familiar with this procedure?
I had a similar procedure a few years ago and I treated my condition with antibiotics and now my body is immune to them. When I get sick I must use very strong antibiotics that make me sick to stomach so I would say get the procedure and not put your child in my situation at such an early age. I hope this helps, feel free to ask me any other questions. JB
My five month old also has kidney reflux and we've been on the antibotics for 2 months now. We also were concerned with taking the antibotic for a year but prefer it over surgery. Everything I have read about kidney reflux says that it is usally treated with a preventative antibotic and normally corrects itself within year. We are praying that her's will.
my son has the same problems, he was on antibiotics from 6m-4 yrs old...not exactly what I wanted but he had to do it or risk infection that would do more damage to his "good" kidney(which really isnt all that good) we went in to have the procedure you described, but at the last minute the dr(who I think is one of the best out of OKC area) discovered some blockage and was able to just remove that and not have to attach the flaps etc.....Theres still a chance that if anything changes we will have the surgery at some point! Good luck to you, I know this really didnt help you much, just letting you know your're not alone :)
My sister had this when she was little. Antibiotics all the time for years and still she got horrible kidney infections. Then years later they discovered a cyst had been causing the urine to back up and she had to have it removed. That was 15 years ago and now she is struggling with the same issues and is going in because they think the cyst has grown back. I don't think taking a lot of antibiotics is ever a good idea, because your body gets immune then when something is wrong the antibiotics don't work. Plus I think they just try to avoid the inevitable.
My 6 year old daughter was diagnosed with rade 1 & 2 urinary reflux at 2 years old. She has been on low dose antibiotics since then. I'm not excited about it, but decided it was the best option. Here's what I discovered.
It's fairly common and most kids grow out of the condition. Unless it is very severe (grade 3 or more) and/or she's having a lot of breakthrough infections while on antibiotics, the surgery isn't necessary yet. Her urologist told me last year that some kids don't grow out of it until puberty and that he wouldn't recommend surgery until then if it didn't get any worse. As far as the surgery, it's "simple" as far as surgeries go, but any surgery carries risks of reactions to antibiotics and other complications.
I usually go the "natural" and homeopathic route with things, but here in Arkansas, there simply aren't any truly holistic practitioners who will treat children. I found one in Dallas who would see her in the office to eval and set her up on a regimine, but we'd have to do "emergency" type things over the phone.
Our daughter was first diagnosed while admitted to the hospital with SEVERE kidney infection. Thankfully she doesn't have any scarring, which is very possible with any kidney infection. Worse yet, she got sick very quickly, with no warning signs. In fact, other than the occasional "cold" I'm not sure she had ever been sick in her life before that.
At least for me, comparing trying natural therapy primarily by phone with the risk of another infection, and long term use of antibiotics to prevent another infection that lands her in the hospital on IV's, I chose the antibiotics. You might choose differently, there are natural treatments out there, just none with any local support in Arkansas.
Best wishes!
My daughter has this same thing, she is a stage 2 and has been on he antibiotics for over a year now. She has only had the one bladder infection, and that was the very first one that she had and it led us to her diagnosis. I hate the antibiotics! I have a terrible memory and from time to time I forget to give it to her, but she has not had any other infections thank God!
Hi J.! I don't have experience with the procedure you are considering for your child, however I have much experience with surgeries and anesthesia with my baby. I also understand making a decision to be on prolonged antibiotics, and how that may make you uneasy as a parent. My 17 month old has been put under 5 times for various surgeries and procedures, and also was recommended to be put on extended antibiotics to try to correct a GI issue. I believe what you have to consider is the quality of your child's life. How much is this going to improve the quality of their life, and is there a chance the procedure won't even work? The other thing we've always considered when deciding to go through another procedure/surgery is what are the alternatives if we elect not to go through with it. Is this something my child will grow out of eventually, is it life-threatening (or could it become so), is this a procedure that will eventually have to take place anyway?
I've realized over the past year and a half that medicine has come such a long way, and as far as anesthesia is concerned we've never personally had any issues with our little one. Finally, I think the most important thing is that you are the parent, and you do know what is best for your child. Make sure you have doctors that will happily answer all of your questions, are very experienced with your child's condition, and take the time to explain things to you and reassure you if necessary. Good luck, and I hope you enjoy a beautiful garden this year!
My eldest daughter has kidney reflux and was on small doses of Bactrim for over a year . . . she always has to take stronger antibiotics now due to a resistance she has developed (the reflux caused constant infections that also caused ear infections, so she was misdiagnosed for 2 years). So far since she has stopped the daily doses she has not had any serious infections since then (an occasional infection). They suspect that my youngest son has it as well and is due to have the VCUG done on the 26th of this month (5 mos old) . . . honestly the antibiotics are the safest method I have heard of and so far it has worked for my 4 yr old. We fed my eldest daughter yogurt regularly to fend off yeast infections and give my son lacto bacteria (by prescription but it can be found over the counter) in his bottles to fend off yeast infections. My feeling is that it is better to keep yeast from forming than trying to constantly treat after the fact. Anyways, the antibiotics seems to have worked for my eldest and if it is caught young enough the body may be able to heal itself (that is what the docs told me), so the sooner it is treated the better chances your child has of his/her body self healing the muscle closing issue. I hope this helps . . . I understand the fright and frustration, especially now that I am dealing with it with my youngest too. GOOD LUCK!!
My daughter had this a few years back and she only had to take antibiotics for 1 year, not exactly what we wanted but it helped and now it is gone. We were never told about any kind of surgerys though and I think I would prefer not to have one done if possible. Good luck with this and prayers are with you. Also good luck on your garden, we always have a big one and getting ready for this one. T.
We had the same exact problem with one of our children. Kidney infections can be very dangerous and you can lose a kidney if infection persists and is untreated. Our little girl was on Macrodantin every day for about several years and it is in antiobiotic that only targets this type of infection. It has no effect on any other infections that might be caught. I would definitely not consider surgery unless the meds were not working. Our daughter out-grew her problem but I have a friend who still takes the same medicine and she is in her 20s. She has considered surgery but has heard from others that it is not a sure-proof guarantee for a cure. Our pharmacist said Macrodantin is a WONDERFUL drug and has helps many folks! Good luck in treating your child's condition.
