Strawberries and probable milk intolerance (seperate issues not related!!)

[*Liz*]

Obviously a known allergen  .

I have given them to my DS twice now and he seemed to enjoy them, but both times he has thrown up a lot afterwards. He does have quite bad reflux so that can be hard to intepret.

But might that be a sign of allergy?

He was unwell when we were on holiday in South Africa and saw a paediatrician (had a reaction to one of his reflux meds) who thought he displayed strong signs of allergy. He had a trial of neocate to rule out MPI but he just WOULD NOT take it. Every day was a 12 hr hunger strike until he finally took it out of necessity. I tried to expediate his appointment but in the meantime we are back on cows milk formula. Its still another 3 weeks until his paeds appointment. I'm sure he is allergic to SOMETHING (and not just strawberries!!) as he is still so sick. Milk would be the obvious answer - I mean intolerant rather than true allergy of course as no wheezing or welts etc.

I don't really know how to proceed - he has to have milk and with no script for another formula I just have to keep giving cows milk so I can't try an elimination. But I'm really reluctant to keep giving strong drugs for his reflux if I am going to give him horrid side effects, especially if he is actually intolerant of something simple.

[scarlettsmom]

Big ((((hugs)))).  My dd2 is allergic to milk (among other things) and it's no fun.

You can have an allergy w/out hives and welts and typical symptoms.  My dd's symptoms are GI related, and yes vomitting is absolutely one of them.  She also will have mucousy stools among other things (llike abdominal cramping that is very painful for her). 

I don't know where you are located so not sure how the health care system works but you need to be seen immediately.  Honestly if I couldn't get into my ped for 3 weeks I would consider going to the ER (emergency) and saying your LO is suffering and explain why you think it's a cow's milk allergy and ask for the hypoallergenic formula until you get into the ped.

xoxo

[Spectra]

If you still have the Neocate you can slowly transition him over to it by adding it a little at a time to his current bottle.  Do one ounce at a time.  Most babies do not like the taste right off the bat and will refuse to drink a straight bottle of Neocate like that.   Hope that helps. 

[*Liz*]

Melanine - I tired that and could never get the last oz of BM out of it - whenever I went to pure formula he just went on hunger strike. I spent alomost 4 weeks slowly diluting it and then tried pure neocate for nearly a week and just couldn't do it anymore - he was only drinking at about 7pm and was just so miserable. I don't know if it was just a taste issue or something else. So I had no choice but to put on normal formula - I've tried to expediate his appointment but no joy. It is in 2 weeks now.

[Spectra]

  That's too bad!  Poor little guy.  I hope something comes out of this appointment.  If it is the taste there are other formula's, similar to Neocate, but made by different companies that he may like more.  Hopefully they'll be able to suggest something.

[*Liz*]

Thanks Spectra. I just had another quick question. As DS is currently on cows milk formula and everyone thinks he just has reflux I decided it would do no harm to give him a yoghurt. Made his reflux so much worse. And this weekend I tried some cauliflower cheese and his food intake fell again.

But if the milk is contributing to his reflux then why would I notice this with milk based foodstuffs when he has milk all the time through the formula? Or am I imagining it? Just doesn't make sense to me.

We have our GI appt on tuesday and feeding team appointment on monday.

So a busy week for us next week and hopefully some answers.

[Spectra]

Hmm, hopefully someone with reflux experience can answer this one.  I'm not sure if it would make a difference or not regarding his reflux.

[*Liz*]

Oh yes - the reflux board  I'll pop over!!