Author Topic: Naturopath vs Allergist  (Read 2689 times)

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Offline 1sttimemamma

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Naturopath vs Allergist
« on: May 28, 2009, 19:05:24 pm »
About 4 months ago, I took DS (21 months) to naturpath. Naturpathic doc did some sort of blood test and said the DS was "highly reactive " to dairy, whey, caisin, cottage cheese and yogurt. Today we went to allergist and did a skin prick - he tested just fine with dairy.

The allergist said, "I can look you in the eye and tell you DS doesn't have allergy to milk". Arrggghhh. I've left a message for the naturpathic doc to see his thoughts.

What should I do??

Offline Spectra

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Re: Naturopath vs Allergist
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2009, 22:36:13 pm »
Your Naturpathic doc may have done an Intolerance testing.  Babies who have MSPI, milk/soy protein intolerance, will not show up as having an allergy to dairy when an allergy test is done, unless of course they are allergic.  My son, for example, tested fine for dairy and soy in the skin prick test, and the rast (blood work).  However he was on Neocate, a special formula, because he was intolerant, it made him have bad eczema, constant runny nose, itchiness, etc.  So one can have an intolerance to something without being allergic, as an allergy affects the immune system, and the intolerance does not.  The symptoms can be very similar, except with an allergy they may go into anaphylactic shock, whereas in an intolerance they would not.   

May I ask what kind of symptoms your son had to these foods?
Melanie
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Offline 1sttimemamma

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Re: Naturopath vs Allergist
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2009, 01:09:28 am »
He didn't have any symptoms other than lack of weight gain. The only thing that has changed since I took him off dairy is that he has more frequent bowel movements - like 2 or 3 a day compared to once a day. He hasn't really gained much weight.

Life would be easier if he could have milk. It sounds like I should still not give it to him.

Offline Spectra

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Re: Naturopath vs Allergist
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2009, 12:31:32 pm »
Well I'd wait to see what your Naturopath says.  Now my son can have dairy, so I'm sure your son will grow out of it soon.  Perhaps ask your naturopath when you can try re-introducing it.

What do you currently feed him for milk?
« Last Edit: May 29, 2009, 19:18:17 pm by Spectra »
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Offline ~ Vik ~

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Re: Naturopath vs Allergist
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2009, 14:16:28 pm »
I feel bad disagreeing with Spectra (especially since she's helped me in the past :)) but I would reintroduce dairy if I were you. If his only symptom was slow weight gain, and it hasn't really improved, and there's no allergy, then I would go for it. I would do it slowly and watch for any signs of intolerance (digestive or otherwise), and if you notice any stop immediately.
I could be biased though, because my ds has a milk allergy (hives, etc.) and I have to be a dairy nazi and ensure that not even any traces get into his diet. It's so hard, so I understand why you'd want to reintroduce it.
Good luck! :)
D ~ dairy, egg, peanut/nut and mustard allergies
Proud to have breastfed for over 24 months!


Offline 1sttimemamma

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Re: Naturopath vs Allergist
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2009, 14:28:22 pm »
Thanks Spectra and Vikki! The problem is that I never noticed any sort of problems in the past with dairy so I have nothing to look for when/if i do introduce dairy. He's never had rashes, etc. He had mild eczema from like 3 months to 6 months - that's all - and that was when he was exclusively BF.

Right now we give him Hemp milk. We mix it like a smoothie so he will drink it.

Offline Spectra

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Re: Naturopath vs Allergist
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2009, 14:52:34 pm »
Haha Vikki!  I wasn't saying one way or the other, so I don't feel your disagreeing with me.  ;D I was thinking more about waiting to hear what the doc says if you were concerned about what the allergist was telling you.  If it was me, I'd probably try the milk, it's so hard to avoid, and if your son seems completely fine and happy I wouldn't worry about it.  Even when I re-introduced milk a few months ago my son had small patches of eczema appear on his legs, but just in small amounts.  Because it doesn't seem to bother him, and he seems fine otherwise, I continued giving him regular milk.  Since here son's symptoms seemed so small I wouldn't be surprised if he's completely fine on milk.  But I'd keep a food diary if you do decide to do it, that way you won't miss anything if he acts "different" at all.

I bet my son would still be considered intolerant, but the symptoms are almost barely there, and he's growing like a weed, and in discussion with my docs we decided it best to continue with the cow's milk.
Melanie
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Offline 1sttimemamma

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Re: Naturopath vs Allergist
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2009, 18:51:46 pm »
Well, the naturopath still hasn't called me back. When you re-introduce dairy - should I just give him a cup of milk and then wait? If there are symptoms, how soon do they show up - like within 24 hours or longer?

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Re: Naturopath vs Allergist
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2009, 19:12:53 pm »
I would probably just mix in some with his regular milk, like maybe an ounce, just in case he has a bad reaction, for one glass, once a day for like 2 or 3 days, then if he's fine I'd add more milk and/or more feeds.  I think I took it slow at first, but then after the first week I totally transitioned him over and he was fine.  Since you may be dealing with eczema and/or bowel movements you may want to give it a few days, as those symptoms can start of slow.  When my son did have eczema it would take a few days.
Melanie
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