Is this an intolerance to formula?

[*Nicola*]

 Hiya guys (I've copied this from our Temp forum, hope you don't mind)

My saga continues .... I just wanted to ask for some input before I see GP again on Thursday. Feeling increasingly sick about these feeding issues. sad.gif

Callie has been on gaviscon for reflux, diagnosed after refusing feeds, fussing at feeds, crying at/after/during feeds.

Due to ongoing issues we have now weaned breast feeding and are giving bottles of formula only. We have been giving the same brand of formula for 7 days now. The first 3 days she had between 6-10 oz per day with no issues. 4th day she had bottles all day with no issues, 5th day no issues until last bottle when she got some red marks around her mouth, 6th day (yesterday) she had red marks/rash around mouth and under chin after first feed (3.5oz) of the day. 2nd feed (8oz) she had red rash everywhere on her body, ears all red and swollen, white 'heatbump' like spots on top of the rash on her neck and mouth.

Took her to pharmacist who sent her to doc. He checked her over, diagnosed a bad throat infection and thought that the rash was linked to that. Gave her anti histamine and penicillin and wants to review on Thursday. I asked if about rash ONLY appearing after feeds but he doesn't think it's linked.

Started antihistamine right away yesterday. She had tiny feed before nap as she was shattered, no rash. Big bedtime feed but I didn't think to check her for rash (silly), very sick during night but not distressed. Fed this morning and out in rash everywhere again.

I spoke to HV to said to change formula brand to see what happens, and I will keep diary until Thursday. HV said if rash continues with changed brand that they will need to do some testing for intolerances.

Sigh/Cry this seems to just be going on and on and on for my baby. Feel so sorry for her. Is there anything else I need to be doing? Any experience/ideas/input would be really appreciated. We are not doing solids so I know it's not that. Hoping like mad it's not intolerance but it's looking suspicious.

I'm really worried they're going to have me brought in for Maunchausen by Proxy (only half kidding, btw!) and just want things to go back to normal.

OK, thanks if you got this far!! Sorry for hogging the boards with all of my concerns/issues.

Love you all xxxx

**updated to add**

gave a bottle of the same brand formula but a 'heavier mix for reflux/sicky babies' and no sign of any rash.  I'm going to give this for next couple of days and see where we get.

[em_here]

Hi Nicola, when ds has a food allergy it looks like heatbumps.... whereas with dd hers looks like a red eczema rash. It certainly does sound like some sort of allergy probably to cows milk proteins, or I know this may sound stupid, could she be allergic to the material the teats are made from?  I know dh's dad has always been allergic to certain plastics, just a thought.  Huge hugs to you, you just cant catch a break eh 

[* Paula *]

Just lurking,to see your updates.

Huge hugs hun xxxxx

[*Nicola*]

Emma, very like heat bumps.

We've given cow and gate formula all day today (except first thing) and she has been fine 

Will see what tomorrow brings.

[em_here]

Excellent! Good luck with the new formula  You deserve it to be ok xxxx hugs xxxx

[yaya]

OH nic, hoping you get a break soon...
Just wanted to ask, when she was refusing feeds and u were still BFing, did the doc check her throat?? The bad throat infection could have been the culprit after all!
Are the spots on her tummy and arms at all? Could it be fiftth/sixth disease? Often after an infection, babies break out in spots as athe body reacts to the infection....
OR could be that some formula is dribbling out of her mouth during feed which wasnt happening with the BF and the 'wetness' is giving her a rash? Just a thought.
I woudl try putting vaseline all around her face before a feed to act as a barrier.
Intollerance....hmmmm not sure tbh, have u noticed any other symptoms? DS got(gets the rash ALONG with other symptoms

[*Nicola*]

Doc did check her throat yup.  Also checked it at NHS24 service on sunday when she began the screaming at feeds and they said all was well.

Spots are all over, tummy, back, hands, bum etc.  Doc did say he was sure it was infection related rather than milk related but it was strange that it only showed after feeds.

Have some pics will post in a min ...

[em_here]

Pics arent working  Unless you can put them on photobucket or something and post the link xxxx

[*Nicola*]

Oh are pics working?

LOL Emma you got there first. 

Cripes by the time I find my photobucket address ....

I'll put them on MSN and facebook and scare you all!

[em_here]

I dont have you added on either  Would be interesting to see and compare them to DS's allergy rash xxx

[*Nicola*]

Emma I'll PM you x

[em_here]

Ok Nicola xxxx

[Jimbob]

I would be really interested to see these pics aswell. It definately sounds like a reaction to the firmula to me, but obviously I am not a doctor. Like you said it it was linked to her throat it seems strange that it happens after feeding.

Kelly

[rinajack]

The formula you are giving now, is that one where the proteins are broken down?

Sounds to me like food allergy also.  If it is milk protein, that could be the cause of the reflux too (ie reflux could be the symptom of the intolerance), and the trace amounts in your breast milk would be nothing compared to giving her formula.

Hugs Nicola.  Hugh is reflux AND MSPI. I am on elimination diet, he won't eat solids most of the time since he relates these with pain, and although OK at the moment, we also have feeding troubles when his reflux flares up.  Currently, he is doing about 3 night feeds each night.  I feel your pain. Muah.

[*Nicola*]

Hiya guys ....

I think pics are working again so I'll them posted in a bit.  If not I'll face book them and make sure you all have my address.

Doc today thought that again that it was a coincidence but did say not to try formula again to try. Not sure about the new formula Rina.  I need to go check it out.

Got to get lunch sorted ... back in a tic.

BRB x