MSPI or something else?

[Eden&Connor'sMom]

I really thought that I had figured out my son's tummy troubles. I thought that he was MSPI. I've been going dairy and soy free for a while now and he's been doing much better, though not perfect. However, yesterday I did eat out and had a salad with raspberry vinegrette dressing. Today he's really in pain and passing very smelly gas. Could the dressing have done all this? He's really bad off today, as bad as I've ever seen him.

I'm wondering now if he has something in addition to MSPI. He doesn't have diarrhea, or hives, or any other symptom other than very bad gas. He also refuses to eat when he's like this, but I attribute it to the pain. Could this be something besides MSPI?

[Mydreamcametrue]

What was in the salad?  I now lettuce and raw vegetables can give lots of gas.

Sounds like to me, you should really keep a very very detailed food diary of what you eat and his reaction.  It could even be a detailed reaction.

Did you drink caffenine or anything else? 

You should really pat yourself on the back for breastfeeding a lo with such a sensitive tummy.  I tried and I could not do it.  I think it is great. 

BTW, Maybe the salad dressing did have some milk based something in it or soy.  It is so hard to tell what they actually put in foods when you eat out.

Hugs sweetie, Wendy 

[momtoandrewandthomas]

I have to agree with Wendy.  I feel like I am on my soapbox here, but a food diary has literally saved my sanity.  You know what you see, but it is hard to link things together when they are not fresh in your mind.  I have been keeping an extremely detailed one over the last month in prep to see our GI again and I am ready this time for all the questions.  I write down every poop, gassy times, itchies, rashes, reddness - basically anthing I see, I write down.  I also write down every food and drink, even prohibited ones if we slip up.  I can see a real pattern and how long it really takes Thomas to pass a hidden milk or soy item.  It is like clockwork, the same every time.  i would not have known any of this had I not started on Wendy's advice a while ago. 

We are so busy, but it really does help.  Even times of naps and bedtimes and behaviors all help. 

Good luck.  I have been living this MSPI life for 2+ years with Thomas and we are all surviving and thriving.  Lots of hugs and thoughts.

Jen -

Mom to Andrew - sensitive 5 year old
Thomas 2- textbook MSPI

[meltown]

you have to check a lot of the vinaigrettes have soy or cheese in them.  I have only found a couple without it.  it may have ben that.  I agree about the food diary.  Hugs to you!!  it is so hard when your LO's are hurting and wont eat.

[Jimbob]

I also think the food diary is a great idea. This is how we worked out many of my son's allergies. It is very easy to miss something especially if it is a delayed reaction. If you write everything down it really does make it a lot easier.

Kelly

[Eden&Connor'sMom]

Thanks for the replies. I'm certain now that the vinagrette had soy or milk in it. I'm usually very careful about what I eat and have only slipped up once or twice.

Keeping a food diary may be more of a challenge for me than the elimination diet. I'm just not that disciplined, but I know I should. Especially now that I'm about to pursue getting our insurance to pay for Neocate. I've already looked into the DME policy and what documentation from the doctor that the insurance requires. Fortunately, our pediatrician is really good about accommodating their patients. They said they would prescribe Neocate, so that's one hurdle jumped. I've read posts where a ped didn't want to prescribe it and I just don't understand that. I would find a new pediatrician if that happened to us. Anyway, thanks again for your responses!

[momtoandrewandthomas]

I hear you.  Organization is not my forte, but when it came to proving to the doctors that I was not out of my mind, I made a point to do it and do it well.  I would sometimes forget a meal or 2 and when I was working or gone, DH was not as good a remembering things.  But overall, it was the best thing I ever did.  I wished I would have done it when he was new. 

Buy a pretty notebook and pen as a treat to yourself.  I hit up Target and found one with bright colors.  I just left it in the kitchen and whenever I made meals, I wrote it down.  I took it along if we were out and about.  It became like second nature and now I kinda miss it. 

Jen