info needed

psycojenni · #1 (**permalink**) 01-12-2008, 05:38 PM

My son zach is 7 months. He has been diagnosised w/ a milk protein allergy, gastric dismotility and reflux. He is on a hypo-allergenic formula. He was soy intolerant but not allergic to it. He just had an EGD done and it showed irritation in the stomach and intesine per the biopsy. They said that he could still have either a gluten or corn allergy that hasn't shown yet or could possibly have Celiac. They have been unable to diagnosis it either way because he hasn't had enough exposure to foods to have a positive.

He had been taken off all foods and we are now being told to re-introduce them. We tried the cereals again (rice and oatmeal) and he had 5 hr screaming fits after each try. So the gi dr said to not give him any.

What foods other then fruits and veggies do you give them w/ out grains, milk and we are trying to stay away from soy?

thepeach80 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008, 12:04 PM

When you say hypoallergenic, do you mean Alimentum or Nutramigen or something like Neocate. If it's the first 2, I would reccomend the Neocate personally. How are his symptoms off solids and on formula only? What meds is he on? Evan (my 3yo) is now just gluten free, but at that age was intolerant to everything, but we didn't know that till about 10-11 mos. He went on Neocate and white rice only and was a brand new baby! Ilana is on Neocate as well and is dairy, soy, egg, wheat, and nut free. I'm getting tested soon (hopefully) for celiac as well so we're well versed in gluten free. I would NOT start w/ any grain personally at that age, especially w/ stomach issues. They are hard to digest and add nothing to him nutritionally. How long have you gone formula only? What was he eating before that, formula and food wise?

psycojenni · #3 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008, 03:15 PM

Zach is on Elecare. From what I understand is even more broken down then the Neocate. He had been formula only for about 1 1/2 months w/ jsut a few tries of cereal prior to this week. He had been on fruit,veggies and cereal prior to that becasue the wanted him to have the extra calories. I took him off all but formula at the beginning of Dec when he was projectile vommiting everything every feeding. At that point me goal was just to keep him hydrated.

Now they have him on 2 relux meds and on erithermicen (sp). He had been on Reglan the whole time to empty his tummy but it wasn't working any longer. They also have him on an oil for extra calories that is added to his formula or food depending on how I give it that day. I normally try to hide the taste mixed w/ a little fruit. For the most part he seems to be doing better and that is why they wanted to start added back in the foods.

thepeach80 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 12:49 PM

Elecare and Neocate are the same, one is not more hypo than the other. If he's tolerating the Elecare, that's great. Ilana was on that till 9 mos when she stopped tolerating it and had to move to Neocate. Evan did great on either one. How much Elecare is he getting? This formula is a complete food so as long as he's taking in I'd say 30ozs a day (this will probably depend on his weight, but nothing gets wasted when they drink this like when they eat food calories) he'll be fine. How's his weight? You say for the most part he's better, what's not better? I would be VERY hesitant to start any solids if he's not 100% better, that just adds another variable when you're trying to figure out what's going on. What oil are you using? Is he getting any solids right now? What and what brand?

cheriesrealm · #5 (**permalink**) 01-15-2008, 01:02 PM

Sorry, I don't have any experience with formula. As far as solids, if you feel it is okay to restart, I would just stick with fruits and veggies since he is only 7 months old. And I would only give one fruit/veggie at a time for at least a week. I would not give grains either. At 7 months old, formula should still be his main source of food. Personally, I would not restart solids until everything else was under control, even if the doctor said it was okay.

Has he been allergy tested by an allergist?

psycojenni · #6 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 03:32 PM

How much Elecare is he getting? He's taking about 24 to 26 oz..

How's his weight? He is finally gaining weight for the first time in 3 months. He was weighed today and had gaind just under a pound in 6 weeks. That puts him at 14 lbs 2 oz.

What's not better? He just had an EGD and it showed some type of reaction in the intestine and stomach and all he had had for weeks was the formula. He also still has a rash that he has had now since Sept. He still acts sometimes as if he is having a hard time digesting just the formula and gets fussy but nothing like before.

The Gi specialist wants us to re-intro the solids as of now. THey feel that they will not be able to get a better diagnosis until he has been exposed to more of the foods to figure out what it is. He said that as long as he tolerates it and doesn't have a reaction to give it to him.

I had thought about not giving him the solids, but he really thinks that it would be best for now.

What oil are you using? He is on MCT oil.

Is he getting any solids right now? He gets apples, pears and next week a think squash. I am to start giving him the ones that he had been exposed to before one week at a time.

What and what brand? Most of the foods he gets are home made other then that if we are out I use the Gerber organics.

The Gi specialist did do the food allergy testing for: milk, soy, corn, wheat and glutens. All came back - except the milk. They said that he hadn't had enough of the other to have a postive. They will re-test again at 1 yr or if the condition gets worse.

thepeach80 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 04:56 PM

I don't agree w/ your DR at all, but you have to do what you think is best I guess. I personally don't see the point in adding foods when he's still having problems on just formula, how bad do they want him to be before fixing it? Plus it makes it near impossible to see if he's reacting to one of the new foods. Did they do a biopsy on him checking for eosinophils. Like I mentioned, some children will react to one formula and not another, if he's still reacting on just Elecare, the next step IMO would be to try Neocate. I would suggest joining Kids With Food Allergies: Food allergy support and allergy free recipes personally and read up there and ask other people what they've done etc. Even GI drs and allergists sometimes just don't have much experience w/ things like EOS disorders and children w/ many food allergies.

goldenrose222003 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-16-2008, 05:02 PM

1ht
you need to ask your dr to refer you to a registered dietician familiar with his case and treating this type of problem.