Knowledge and Experience Needed!!!!!

[DecemberBaby]

Ok so I am freaking out now!

My DS has had rashes and gassiness etc. so my doctor told me to eliminate all dairy. I eliminated all dairy and dairy products on April 23. They also put him on a steroid cream because he has eczema. The rashes come and go on top of the eczema. On April 24 he had a few bloody diapers (specs of blood). By April 27th he had a head to toe rash... it covered his whole body. My husband called the doctor and they did not seem concerned about the rash. He did not mention the blood in his diaper. I remember reading that the blood could be irritation from the allergy. Now the rash is gone because I also put the steroid cream on that. NOW he has another bloody diaper! I did not even eat a lot of dairy to begin with. Really I did not drink milk, eat cereal, etc. I had a little bit of cheese if my recipe called for it. I did not use butter. So what is going on... dairy cannot still be in my system! I know it could take two weeks to get out of your system but I am not normal... I do not eat a lot of dairy.

Should I be really concerned???? The doctors have not even seen the rashes. I took pictures because I was so amazed! What do I do? WHat should I do?

Any advice or experience is welcome!! Thank you!
:(

[RedheadbyChoice]

Sugar, *any* dairy, of any kind, even a nibble, CAN BE IN YOUR SYSTEM for 2 weeks or longer.

It can, really. Even if you don't eat tons of dairy to start. Are you eliminating even the hidden dairy? Things like boxed meals, mixes?

You might want to think about eliminating other things as well; I'll let the mommas of kids with large allergies help you with that.

[majubee]

if the pedia. does not know about the specs of blood then I say it is a good idea to call the peida. office in the morning and let them know about the blood.

my guess is that dairy was just a suggestion what to start with. dairy my not be the problem but I think it is the common problem.

sorry I am not much help.

[DecemberBaby]

Thanks for writing back!

Good point... I have eliminated all dairy. I got the hidden dairy from kellymom.com.

We have to go to the pedi tomorrow for a shot. So I will mention it to the nurse. I just do not know how forceful to be to see a doctor...

Thanks girls!

[_Gypsy_]

If the rashes are coming and going then you are still eating something baby is allergic to, the next foods to eliminate are all eggs, all nuts & all seafood.

[Pumplicious]

Thanks for writing back!

Good point... I have eliminated all dairy. I got the hidden dairy from kellymom.com.

We have to go to the pedi tomorrow for a shot. So I will mention it to the nurse. I just do not know how forceful to be to see a doctor...

Thanks girls!

Hon, be as forceful as you need to be. I'd be pretty pushy about it if it were my kid.

[MacGirl]

Another poster here (SurfMum) had a baby with blood in their stool (and fussiness) She had to go into a strict protein elimination diet (not just the dairy protein).

I have no more info than that.

[MacGirl]

Here's a good read:
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/bloodystool.html

(I'm also wondering about true lactose intolerance)

[Nipple_nectar]

You are in good hands with Gypsy. That is all.

[USAFeyez06]

Oh... I second that *sigh* Red. LOL

I could write a book I have so much experience with bloody diapers, streaks and specks for months. No diet seemed to work. My little one has multiple, multiple food allergies at the moment and I am on a pretty basic diet.

Dairy and soy are HUGE allergens and these proteins can take MORE than 2 weeks to exit your system, although you should see improvements in the stool around the 2 - 3 week mark.

I'll give you a quick run down of what to do and what to do if dairy isn't the issue so you have all the info.

I would HIGHLY recommend taking out ALL diary, even the hidden dairy... which is in all kinds of stuff, including vitamins. While you're at it, I would eliminate soy as well, since more than 50% of infants with diary sensitivities are allergic to soy as well. If this still does not solve the problem or rid the stools of blood and mucous (after 3-4 weeks) then your next step would be to eliminate thet top 8 allergens which include dairy, soy, wheat, egg, peanut, nut, fish, and shellfish, I believe. And not to scare you, but that if that still doesn't do the trick, a total elimination diet may be necessary.

Overall, what we're all trying to say is... allergens take a very long time to exit your system as well as your little ones and symptoms may not clear overnight. Some babies react right away while others need time. Some people have a really easy time figuring out what bothers their little one and are able to get rid of the blood... others have a terrible time tracking down the culprits. I happen to be the latter group, unfortunately.

I know how extremely frustrating and disheartening this can be. Like I said, I say bloody stools for months without resolution. Just when I thought things were getting better... BAM it all came back. As of right now, I very slowly introduce new things, but am still off of dairy, soy, wheat, egg, shellfish, fish, pork, nuts, and oats... and I believe preservatives bother her belly as well. I would cry some nights and got so close to giving up, but I'm glad I didn't. Some of these women are such a blessing on this board! So... keep your head up and start eliminating and see what happens!!!!

Good luck mamma! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

[Psyche]

You've gotten great advice so far. Eggs, dairy, and all nuts. If that doesn't seem to help, I"d look at soy and if that doesn't help, wheat.

Do you keep a food journal? Could you share what you eat in a typical day? No judgements if you eat as bad as I do ;)

Are you supplementing with formula at all? If you are, I'd highly suggest telling (yes telling) the pediatrican that you need a script for Neocate or another elimental formula.

How old is your babe? I would also insist (yes insist) on a referral to an allergist. A pediatric allergist can test a baby as young as 2-4 months. The tests aren't always 100% accurate but it'll give you a starting point and someone with KNOWLEDGE (and pediatricians I've found lack the knowledge on food allergies) on the subject.

until you get the FA issue worked out, I'd also avoid the dermatologist like the plague. I've found peds are more likely to recommend a dermatologist over a allergist.

[intokermit]

I know that I'm allergic to a million foods. So far, my ds seems to be ok with my milk and what I eat. I had a blood test done, about 2 years ago, that tested my blood against tons of foods, and told me what I was allergic to. It was way more specific then just going to be tested if I was allergic to one food. Maybe you could have that done for your little one? That way you would know exactly what he's allergic to, and then you could take it out of your diet. If you want some info on the blood test, let me know. I hope everything turns out ok!

[DecemberBaby]

Hey Everyone!

I went to the doctor today. She said to avoid red meat too, which makes sense.She also stated I should still drink soy for calcium for myself. Yuck! I think I am going to try and avoid soy because I think he has a least an intolerance for soy. But the problem is soy is in everything!

Here is what I eat:

My son will be 5 months on May 11. I normally eat oatmeal for breakfast or a piece of bread... lunch a sandwich (kosher now) with chips or carrots or last nights left overs (sometimes I forget to eat lunch because DS is so cranky I am afraid to move then the time just passes), chichen for dinner with a vegetable... not forget the candy I consume: smarties, starburst, coconut sorbet... water, tea decaf, rootbeer. Sometimes I eat fruit ( 3-4 time a week). I used to eat a lot more but all of it had small amounts cheese or dairy in it! My husband said he will start to worry once I hit 95 lbs! I am 5'2" and3/4 and weight 104-106lbs. I better not loose that much weight!

I will make an appointment to see an allergist. I will also keep a journal. And I would love any info on blood tests.

Thank you all for your support and information!!!!!!!!!!!

[DecemberBaby]

I have not supplement with formula in a while and that is only last resort because I pump. The doctor today gave me nutramigen just in case I was ever in a jam.

She also asked me if he has diarrhea... I said I would never be able to tell because all of his diapers are liqiudy... is this the same with your dd and ds with breastmilk?

[_Gypsy_]

Liquid is NOT normal - not all the time anyways.

Classic consistency is like runny cottage cheese, but there is a wide range of normal, all liquid all the time is almost certainly from a food allergy/intolerance.

If things don't improve during the next 2 weeks, a total elimination diet is indicated.

Don't use the Nutramigen, get some Neocate if you need to supplement.

[KerryS]

Here's a good read:
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/bloodystool.html

(I'm also wondering about true lactose intolerance)

A true lactose intolerance would be present from birth with extreme failure to thrive (incompatible with life without a special formula). Her baby is 4-5 months old, so a true lactose intolerance would have been apparent a long time ago.

[KerryS]

Liquid is NOT normal - not all the time anyways.

I think maybe everyone needs to be on the same page as far as what "liquidy" means - does she mean RUNNY (which IMO is normal and okay) or WATERY?

[DecemberBaby]

liquid... not cottage cheese at all since birth

[RedheadbyChoice]

Liquid as in no chunks at all? Not even thicker clumps? Consistency of what? Gravy? Pudding? Water? Cream sauce? Is there a ring of water, around the poo? As if there's more solid poo in the middle, with a ring outside of it?

[DecemberBaby]

As in just brown liquid.... All of my pedis saw it in his diaper at our visitsand never said anything

[_Gypsy_]

As in just brown liquid.... All of my pedis saw it in his diaper at our visitsand never said anything

Fully absorbed into the diaper liquid? Like water? Like brown water?

[DecemberBaby]

Yes....Is this really bad? When should I freak???? I thought they were supposed to be watery. He has more bloody stools today!

[DecemberBaby]

Should I demand an allery test?????

[KerryS]

No, watery is not normal, and suggests diarrhea, rather than normal liquidy/soft breastmilk stool.

[RedheadbyChoice]

For Gypsy or others, how accurate is an allergy test in a wee one that wee?

[Psyche]

For Gypsy or others, how accurate is an allergy test in a wee one that wee?


Depends who you ask. An allergist considers it reliable enough to do it. A ped doesn't, but like I said I don't really listen to peds anymore when it comes to FA issues.

Seriously, he needs tested. Or you need to do a strict elimination diet. I would do an elimental formula to supplement him. I would eliminate all nuts and egg from your diet. I would even do soy since he seems to be getting it form the formula (correct?).

If the formula you are giving him is dairy formula that is lactose free, that isn't helping him.

[Psyche]

If you suspect soy, DONT eat it. Rice milk will be just fine. If you are worried about weight in yourself, you can try sunflower butter (like peanut butter but from sunflower seeds).

The red meat makes no sense unless he's allergic to beef. Here's the deal. If one is allergic to beef, one will also be allergic to dairy. However just because one is allergic to dairy doesn't make one allergic to beef.

Make sure you continue to take prenatal vitamins.

[DecemberBaby]

thanks!

[DecemberBaby]

I have an appointment to an allergist on May12. It is the earliest I can get! But I am going to call my pedi tomorrow and test. I am so worried.

[Psyche]

I'd just wait to May 12th. The pediatrician isn't a specialist and the allergist is. You're much more likely to get good help from the allergist. You could ask the ped for a script for an elimental formula though (be prepared for sticker shock).

[USAFeyez06]

You've gotten some more wonderful advice from Gyspy and Pyshce... listen to it. I PMed you back, but definitely agree with Gyspy on the Neocate. I have a can of that here as an emergency stash and the only one I would consider giving to my daughter if I had to.

I do think the strict diet will be best for you and your little... and I PMed you on what I ate in the beginning.

My daughters stools looked like that for a little while along with blood and mucous. I think you have a few protein allergy culprits on your hands here, not just dairy or soy.

And no... cutting out red meat is not accurate unless, as stated, your LO is allergic to beef (which is possible just not as likely). I would continue to eat red meat at this point in time.

You metioned you ate sandwiches... many deli meats contain dairy and the bread you are eating contains lots of proteins, unless it's rice bread.

Do continue to take your vitamins, but be warned that most contain dairy or soy. I take prenatals by pure encapsulations which are hypoallergenic and can be ordered on www.familypharmacy.net if you are interested. I would also take a vitamin D and calcium supplement (I buy the bluebonnet brand at whole foods which is hypoallergenic as well)

I would also look into infant probiotics. This can helps your little ones gut flora to balance back out... but again, many of those are lactose based as well so you would have to order the hypoallergenic brand. If you have any questions on that, feel free to PM me again.

GOOD LUCK MAMMA!!!!!

[KatieLou]

You have gottensome great advice, and I really have nothing else to add since the gals have covered it, but I just wanted to lend my support. I know this can be hard, but you can do this. There are many woman on this board who have been throught the same thing (myself included) so you will have a greast support system here. Good luck Momma!

[DecemberBaby]

Thank you!!!!!

[KatieLou]

(((hugs)))

[Funmommy]

One thing you can do too is have the pedi call the allergist and see if they can get your appointment moved up as it's such a bad case. It's worth a try anyway :)
Good Luck!
Funmommy/Nadine