Milk protein allergy?

[gabrielsmommy]

Does anyone have a child with a "true" cow's milk protein allergy?  What symptoms did they have and how was it diagnosed?  My doctor switched my son's formula to Nutramigen because of a suspected allergy and to help with his reflux.  The problem is my son won't eat the stinky, bad tasting Nutramigen.  I don't think my son has an allergy.  I asked my doctor if he would do more testing to confirm the protein allergy or send me to an allergy specialist because I couldn't keep forcing my son to eat that nasty formula.  My son is on Prilosec and thickened formula for his reflux also.   

[gabrielsmommy]

I forgot to mention that the only symptoms my son has is fussines and not eating as well as he used to.  He is 17weeks old tomorrow.  He doesn't have eczema or mucous/blood in his stool and does not projectile vomit.  He spits up some from his reflux and sounds congested a lot, but doesn't have a runny nose.  My pediatrician said the congestion is normal for his age. 

[deb]

He may have an intolerance to the dairy, which while not an out and out allergy - which would likely result in hives, eczema, and/or breathing issues - can still damage the gut lining and cause significant intestinal problems including tummy-aches, lots of gas/wind, diarrhea, and even poor digestion and eventual poor absorption of nutrients across the board. There are posts about Milk Protein Intolerance on the Colic/Reflux/Crying board that can give you some more information, and Google is a useful tool for finding out still more recent findings about it (although it can be easy to think the symptoms you see are for something more serious, so you do have to be judicious when Googling LOL).

MPI can also present much the same as reflux, and the stuffiness and gurgling can be stomach acid in the esophagus and even into the sinuses that can cause some pretty significant damage, whether it's MPI or "only" reflux.

So yes, while Nutramigen tastes horrible - that's pretty much a universal opinion from what I've read LOL - it may be a lot safer for your LO than a dairy-based formula.

[my3girlsjde]

Hi, E has a 'true' milk protein allergy though the one test she had was negative. It was a RAST, and even my Dr who witnessed E have a reaction in her office couldn't believe she tested negative.

We had, blood and mucous in the stool (even when EBF and I was consuming milk), reflux, eczema, hives and wheezing.

She's now 16 months and we're down to the hives, reflux and mucousy diarrhea causing a bloody diaper rash :'(.

I got her on Nutramigen at 13 months by using Strawberry Nesquick and heating the bottle. I called Neocate for flavouring packets which they happily sent some samples, and I called Nesquick and went over their list of ingredients and I made the decision that it was safe to give. E is also soy intolerant so a bit tricky as many things do have soy also. Once I got her drinking a full feed, I immediately started decreasing the amount of Nesquick. It actually only took 5 days and now she eats regular (restricted) food and still loves her Nutramigen. 

Congestion can be a sign of reflux,  as well as allergy, as well as just really small nasal cavities in a lo - as per my paed. Frustrating because it can mean so many things. But milk protein intolerance will certainly aggrivate reflux.I'm in agreement with Deb, that keeping on a milk free diet and keeping up with the nasty Nutramigen is likely the safer and happier option.

Have you been on the colic, reflux and crying boards? I strongly reccomend http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=209270.405;topicseen . I've learned a lot there and there's a lot of support to help you through the rough times of reflux.

[gabrielsmommy]

Thanks Deb and Vicki.  I have been googling MPI like crazy!   My son's biggest problem right now is his intake has just dropped significantly.  I read some old forums from a year ago that talked about other babies his age doing the same thing.  The conclusion was it was a developmental thing.  I just don't know if I should give the reflux meds a little more time or get him tested for an allergy.  He has only been on Prilosec for 4 days.

[First Time Mom]

My dd had milk protein allergy as a baby, she would cry and scream for hours on end and then when she was about 2 weeks old she had blood in her diaper and it continued until we were told in the hospital it was the protein allergy. The intestines get very irritated and bleed. This is when you know it's a milk protein allergy vs an intollerance or lactose related. Sometimes they do a test on a sample poop to look for the blood if it's not visable.  She was bf so I eliminated all milk products and she was fine after that.

My ds had very severe reflux from birth until 7 mths. We had him on one med for 2 weeks and it didn't do anything, he continued to reflux up 15x a day and stopped gaining weight. My ped switched meds and the 2nd one worked within a few days. He continued to reflux but not nearly as much and was able to gain weight. I would maybe ask to try a different med if you have seen zero improvement in the reflux.

[Buntybear]

Hi, at 4 months there is often a massive growth spurt so maybe he will start drinking it soon!

Why does your doctor suspect an allergy if there are no symptoms?

[~*~Louisa~*~]

We have suspected milk protein allergy though it could be intollerence we are waiting on testing

Alyssa gets face rash, mucus in her nappies, her poo liturally burns her bum, screaming with belly ache all day and night for the day after she reacted to even a sniff of milk in my breast milk and to nutramigen

My dd#2 was milk protein intollerent and lactose intollerent... we were told the mpi caused her excema and the lactose was responsible for bad bum burning poo

[gabrielsmommy]

I took my son to the allergist Wednesday and he was diagnosed with a MPI.  He is now on Elecare formula which is amino acid based.  It is very expensive, but apparently the "gold standard" formula for this problem.  He is doing much better, but still isn't taking the amount for his weight that I would expect.  I am just glad he is better.  He was tested for about 8 different allergens including milk, but they were negative.  The doctor also put him on an antihistamine called Periactin for a short time to help settle his gut and intestines.  It also is an appetite stimulant.