Allergic to Nutramagin AA (similar to Neocate)??????

[grace annes mommy]

DD has been dealing w/ allergies since 4 wks, main symptom being blood in the stool. She was on Nutramigen, the blood came back after about 2 months. She is now on Nutramigen AA for 2 months now and today had a small amount of blood... The dr. said just keep an eye on it (i think she's stumped...).

Is it even possible for her to be allergic to Nutramigen AA?  Does anyone know???

[Spectra]

I haven't heard of that before.  Even the most severe cases are still able to tolerate Nutra AA or Neocate.  Perhaps someone else here has some experience with a flare up?

[grace annes mommy]

Thanks for taking a look, spectra. I've got my fingers (and toes) crossed it has nothing to do with allergies... She seems a bit off, so i'm wondering if she's teething, or maybe got a bug.  But the tiny bit of blood in her stool... i just don't know. I'm worried. She's also been pretty gassy for about a week.
As the doc suggested, just gonna keep an eye  on things and hope for the best.

We were going to start solids this weekend. I hope we still can, as i'm kind of excited 

[scarlettsmom]

Hi there GA's mommy,
My allergist told me that sometimes when you see a little bit of blood in the stool after a while of nothing it's the original insult to the gut that is still not completely healed.  Has nothing to do with current food.  However - Nutramigen and Alimentum are usually ok for about 90% of babies.  I honestly think we fell into the 10% that didn't tolerate it.  I BF, but supplement every now and then and have her on Neocate.  I believe it's about 99.8% of babies that tolerate Neocate.  If you see any other symptoms that would suggest your bub isn't tolerating the Nutramigen - it IS possible and switching to an elemental formula like Neocate or Elecare should help tremendously.

((hugs))
T

[Spectra]

The Nutramigen AA is the same as Neocate Tari, I know I just learned this myself last week!  Nutramigen is same as Alimentum, while the Nutramigen AA is the same as Neocate... Gah.   

[grace annes mommy]

Exactly, Spectra. COnfusing, huh? I believe Nutra AA is fairly new.
DD did not tolerate the regular Nutra.

Just keeping my eye on things. Hasn't had a bm yet today, so we;ll see.

[Spectra]

Well hopefully it's just what Tari was saying.  Let us know how it goes.

[scarlettsmom]

D'oh!  Sorry!     Hope all is working out..

[grace annes mommy]

Well, i waited all day yesterday for her to poo, and she didn't 

She did this a.m. and i think it looks ok, no blood i could see.... Still gonna keep my eye on things.

I WAS gonna start her on solids this weekend. But i guess i should probably hold off just to be sure???

About solids, I'm paranoid.  Any advice? I was thinking of avocado first. Maybe get a couple fruits going before adding cereal?

Thanks ladies 

[scarlettsmom]

I so know how you feel about starting solids.  I was nervous as well.  We started w/avocado, had a strange reaction 6 days in that now I think was not related.  Then went to pears and prunes - she's done great with them!  We are skipping cereals completely. 

And yes - I would give it a couple more days to make sure that everything is looking ok, then go on to solids.  I wish we could buy those little cards that the dr's use for the stool samples to see if there is microscopic blood.  I swear I would carry them everywhere! 

Good luck and ((hugs)) it can all be so confusing and frustrating at times!

xo

[grace annes mommy]

Thanks Tari!
I know what you mean about wanting some of those test cards! There have been times I thought she was doing ok, and tested positive for the microscopic blood...
How long have you been waiting before trying new foods. Is a week long enough do you think?
I really appreciate you sharing! Feel kind of like the drs. don't give me quite enough guidance as far as dealing with her allergies 

 

[scarlettsmom]

I think a week is great.  Our allergist told us every 4 days is fine, but it's just worked out that it's at least a week for us (I BF and have just added wheat back to my diet - so I'm trialing it for a week before starting Gwyneth on her next food).  But I would feel ok w/every 5 days or so. 

I'm glad to help - I've gotten so much support and information from here, couldn't have done it without the other mamas!

Let us know how it goes once you start solids.  I've got my fingers crossed for you! 

[grace annes mommy]

Just a quick update...

I haven't been able to see any more blood in DD's stool, but i don't feel convinced it's not there... It's obvious to me her tummy is bugging her. Her stools have been irregular (which is unusual for her - actually don't think she's ever missed a day until now...), and she's having a lot of trouble passing soft stools. She is super gassy. Had 3 screaming fits yesterday evening and last night that were def not hunger/OTness. Passing gas the whole time. I'm concerned... She's a tough cookie, even when her allergy stuff has been really bad, she didn't complain too much. So to see her screaming like that, I know something is really bugging her.

Waiting for her Dr. to call me back//// 

[scarlettsmom]

(((hugs))) it's so hard seeing our LOs in pain.  Gwyneth shows the same GI sypmtoms so I know how helpless and frustrating it can be.  I hope you get some answers soon.  Sending good vibes your way and your little bub's way.  Let us know what the dr says.

[scarlettsmom]

ps - DD's allergist also said that some babies do better on different elemental formulas even though they are so similar - it may be as simple as putting her on neocate or elecare?

xx

[Spectra]

Sorry to hear she is not doing too well.  Hope you get some good help from your doctor.  Perhaps ask him if it would make a difference if she was on Elecare or Neocate? 

[grace annes mommy]

Well, things are not good right now 
Brought Grace Anne to her pediatrician yesterday, and her stool tested positive for microscopic blood. Not surprised... Pediatirician called the GI doc, and she thinks it's c. diff., so we have to wait a couple days for those results to come back. 2 months ago, DD was hospitalized (for allergy stuff) and while in the hospital tested positive for c. diff (which a bacterial infection, usually caused by antibiotics - which DD has never been on). It was explained to me at the time, that her testing positive did not necessarily explain what was going on with her - that often infants test positive without symptoms. Her endoscopy showed allergies, and that is when she was put on Nutra AA. However, she was treated for the c. diff, just to be safe i suppose.
Now, she doesn't even have diarreah (big c. diff symptom), but they are now seeming to focus on the c. diff. But i'm really feeling like this is an allergy again...
I'm just super frustrated bc all i can do is sit here and wait for the test to come back. In the meantime, continuing to feed her a formula she may be allergic to!
On top of it all, DH was sick last week, and now DD has a fever and is wheezing. Dr. seems to think she just caught what DH had, but who knows. It just complicates everything.
They've put her on florastor (probiotic), but it has lactose in it... I know lactose intolerance in infants is rare, but wouldn't you think we should be cautious considering her history?
Sorry for rambling. I'm just exhausted and frustrated and worried. 
I feel like I kind of have to 'play the system' in order for DD to get the care she needs. But I'll tell you, there's nothing like a parent's intuition. That's been proved to me again and again.
I guess I just need any vibes anyone has, to make DD comfortable, and to make me a strong advocate for her.
thank you for listening 

[scarlettsmom]

   Huge huge ((((((HUGS)))))  I am SO sorry you and she are going through this.

First of all - YES, definitely trust your mama instinct, it is there for a reason, and it's the only reason I got anywhere w/Gwyneth's issues. 

Secondly - they have lactose free probiotics - I'm not a dr so don't take what I say too seriously, BUT, I would switch her immediately.  Do you have a Whole Foods near you (are you in the states?) or other natural foods store?  They should carry one. 

I hate how the dr's say - oh we'll let you know in "x" days or weeks and meanwhile 10 minutes is 9 minutes too long!! 

Sending you tons and tons and tons of ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~feel better~~~~~~~~~~~~~vibes.  We're here with you.

Oh - the wheezing - that would concern me simply because it's a sypmtom of a severe allergy as well.  My dd2 never wheezed - but DD1 did when she had a terrible allergic reaction to peniciln.  So keep a very close on that.  And seriously - bug the hell out of the dr's if you need to.  I did (and do!) but I try to do it nicely but also very seriously since I speak for my child and know her best.

More (((hugs)))   

[mommyoflogan]

I'm sorry I just got around to reading this post.  I really wish I had checked in sooner.  My ds has multiple food allergies and very inflamed intestines as a result of not knowing he was allergic (I was bf and he never had any outward reactions except and inability to poop by himself)  When we finally realized what we going on, the GI dr. gave us three sample formulas: Nut. AA, Elecare, and Neocate.  She said they were all the same and to just pick one.  We randomly chose Nut. AA and my ds got a bit better.  But then he started acting fussy again, got very gassy, and was slightly constipated.  We tried all sorts of stool softeners and probiotics and then finally just switched to Elecare.  Now things are much better.  I don't know if he was allergic to Nut. AA or if it somehow just didn't agree with his stomach but switching was definately the right thing to do for us.  Plus, Elecare is a lot less expensive!  So I would definately consider switching formulas and see if that helps anything.  I wish you the best of luck!  I know how frustrating it can be.  The dr. still doesn't know why my ds can't poop by himself and we are also waiting on some tests.  I hate waiting.  Hang in there and like others have said, trust your instincts.  You are the mom and are almost always right.  Good luck!

[grace annes mommy]

Tari, thank you so much!!! Your hugs and support mean so much to me! 

Mommyoflogan - thanks for sharing your experience. I've been doing a lot of reading, and it does seem like, for whatever reason, sometimes one elemental formula is tolerated better than another.

Brought DD to the dr. again yesterday and she's got croup. Explains the wheezing, barking, and fever. But i'm wondering - isn't croup sometimes connected to allergies? is it more like seasonal allergies?

I had a very candid talk w/ her pediatrician yesterday. Basically said, i didn't want to put her on the spot but what is her honest opinion about waiting for these c-diff. results.  I have a lot of respect for her. She does not pretend to be an expert on allergies or GI stuff. Does not just tell us what we want to hear, and often consults other drs. before advising us. Anyway, she basically expressed that she feels this is not the best way to go (following the c-diff. path). She said, we'll just wait for the results and then take the next step from there. But she urged me not to be scared to request the other GI dr. in the practice. Or to seek a 2nd opinion from a practice she strongly recommends in a town about an hour away. She also said she would put together some names and #s of allergists for us to seek out. So, it's one step at a time, but I feel encouraged that she and I are on the same wavelength, that she will support us.

My husband spoke with a nutritionist yesterday who also had some helpful advice about increasing flora, other probiotics (said exactly what you said, Tari!!!), etc.  If this LO ever gets the chance to start solids, we will be seeking the nutritionists advice again, bc they were very helpful, especially with more natural remedies and practices.

Anyway - rambling again!!!

Hopefully we find out about the c-diff. today, and then on with the next step!

[Spectra]

Wow, sounds like you have an amazing doctor!  I love the support and help they are giving you!  My friend's daughter and son both had the croup and neither have allergies, so I'm not really sure if they are related or not.  Let us know if you get the test results back. 

[motherof3]

I don't know much about Nutramigen AA but another mom on a reflux forum that I frequent said that her cousins son was on it and still having problems.  She read the can and it contains a lot of soy oil so this could be causing the problem. It also has MSG in it! The label "for MPI" (not MSPI). You might want to look into trying Neocate or Elecare and see if that helps.

Andrea

[grace annes mommy]

Ah! It's been crazy here lately!!! 
Grace Anne seems to be getting over the croup, so that's good! She's feeling a little better.

She did test positive for C. Diff. ARGH! Talked to her ped. for a long time about it, and I can tell she feels it's not necessarily the problem. But, she wants us to treat it anyway. She was supposed to call in a perscription for Flagyl, but it didn't go thru for some reason, and we are again playing the waiting game.

I would just like to switch her formula and see if that helps! But, in our situation, we need a drs. Rx to do so.

Andrea - I'm shocked about the MSG  I started googling it, and just became horrified by what they put in formula. I think Neocate has it also, but not Elecare??? Just makes me so sad I wasn't able to keep breastfeeding  I do miss it too.


Well, pediatrician will be calling the other GI dr. in the practice today, and should be calling me this afternoon. She was also calling a friend who is a GI this weekend to run Grace's case by her. Interested in what's happening next.

We have her 6 mos. check up tomorrow anyway, so....