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Allergies and intolerances

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Original poster

13mo Dreadful nappies for over 7 weeks - GP says nothing to worry about

53 replies

WikiSpeaks · 21/01/2011 19:58

I am so stressed about this. I have already posted about my DS here

I took him to the GP last Friday and GP just said I shouldn't change anything in his diet, but come back in another 6 weeks if nothing has improved.

Today he had an absolute explosion in his nappy - stinky wet and massive (sorry if TMI)

This just doesn't seem normal for a 13mo, and he has definitely had solid poos at some point last year.

His symptoms are the awful nappies and just constant crying/whinging. My CM who has him twice a week also finds the same problems as me.

Can anyone offer advice as to what I can try?

I thought about gluten free/milk free diet?

OP posts:
Pancakeflipper · 21/01/2011 22:30

It can be unbelievably hard at being heard. Just go in and say " I know you don't believe me, but indulge me. Refer me to a dietician and consultant. Then we don't have to meet here each week boring each other."

The Dr's actually submitted our files to the HV with a note on saying "this mother is continually at the surgery with her child, is she of sane mind or does she require medical help?"

I nearly proved their theory of my supposed instability when I exploded. Thankfully my HV knew me from my older kid.

Pancakeflipper · 21/01/2011 22:34

The Dr's will be wary to prescribe something like Neocate as it costs a fortune. I think it's £10 a sachet and we use 1 sachet a day for breakfast and supper.

Original poster
WikiSpeaks · 21/01/2011 22:34

Blimey - that takes guts. I already have PND. I think I would be seen as the cliche neurotic mother.

I actually broke my finger in a temper with DD when she was 10mo old and I punched the floor in frustration.

I don't think I'd make the sane cut Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
WikiSpeaks · 21/01/2011 22:40

oh I've just done this test

I answered it honestly and there does seem to be a likelihood of a problem.

OP posts:
Pancakeflipper · 21/01/2011 22:51

I have a shocking memory but before we got referred and got what milk to use sorted ( mine came out in hives with Lactose free) - we used for a few weeks a formula milk that was Soya based - think it was a Cow & Gate. Not ideal but if you are clever with the food intake your kid will still get the nutrients needed. Chicken, carrots and brocolli are apparently good for calcuim intake.

And I am not brave. I really was on the brink. I cried everyday cos' I could see his pain and felt helpless. He vomitted all the time so we never went out except on the school run for older brother - I'd be there with a sick bucket at one end of the playground - the other mothers at the other end. I looked like a crazy lady. So take no crap. Push on.

trixymalixy · 21/01/2011 23:32

I put no for all the answers on that test and it still came back saying there was a potential food allergy Hmm.

DD had terrible nappies for weeks, she is allergic to egg , so we thought she might be allergic to something else. She isn't and we think it was just teething and it stopped of it's own accord.

Don't pay for private allergy tests, get your GP to refer you for free NHS testing.

thecaptaincrocfamily · 21/01/2011 23:34

No it isn't anything to worry about, lots of children get toddler diarrhoea. So long as she is putting on weight, lively and no temp she is fine.Smile

thecaptaincrocfamily · 21/01/2011 23:37

It probably isn't an allergy. It may be a sensitivity. Does she have sugar free juice? or just water? Check foods for aspartame the artificial sweetner as that can do it. Also too much fruit juice and bizarrely too much fruit and veg. Lots of toddlers have this and they grow out of it. Please don't jump onto the allergy band wagon!

thecaptaincrocfamily · 21/01/2011 23:39

It may well be teething as this does happen. Like I said they usually outgrow it. I had a mindee like this.

Original poster
WikiSpeaks · 21/01/2011 23:44

Trixy Shock should have tried that myself! how did you find out about the original egg allergy?

Captain - He is putting on weight but not really lively. Most days are 50/50 whinging/moaning/crying.

I agree it's unlikely to be an allergy as his symptoms aren't severe. I think intolerance/sensitivity is more likely to be the case.

He has no fruit juice/squash. Only cows milk/water.

I think it's the combination of the terrible crying and the bad nappies (and it's been nearly 2 months) that is giving me the most cause for concern

OP posts:
Original poster
WikiSpeaks · 21/01/2011 23:46

I think I was saying it was teething for way too long really. He has 6 teeth, and nothing much has changed in a while but the 'mood' and nappies haven't.

I know teething pain can be occurring without anything being seen. I gave him powder and calpol today. I just don't believe that's what it is anymore.

OP posts:
trixymalixy · 22/01/2011 09:12

Wiki, DS has multiple food allergies, so DD was tested at 6 months before we started weaning her.

I've been through the terrible nappies and eczema giving me paranoia about more allergies with both of them and has turned out to be teething mostly.

auntevil · 22/01/2011 10:52

Wiki - ask your GP to do a stool test (not him/her personally!) It can show up quite a lot. They can test for the likelihood of lactose intolerance, but also for other things such as parasites and the ability to form 'solid' stools.
Lots of early years diarrhoea are temporary, so don't think it's forever. Intolerances can be caused by having a bad bout of 'a virus' that needed antibiotics, toddler diarrhoea as already mentioned and immaturity of the digestive system, which resolves itself.
Stand your ground with the GP. All you need is a form/collecting pot from the surgery. Very little input from them. You have an endless supply of product to collect - and its collected with ease, involving no blood or prick tests.
BTW i have 3 DS - all with intolerances (diagnosed by gastroenterologists - so not on 'a band wagon') 2 are lactose intolerant and my eldest is CMP (Cows milk protein - different from lactose, but still in dairy), fructose and sucrose.

Original poster
WikiSpeaks · 22/01/2011 13:10

thank-you

We do have an endless supply of 'product' to collect Grin that's for sure!

We've been out and about this morning. He hasn't had any dairy yet. He hasn't been crying/whinging as normal. I think it's becuase he's busy, but it would be kind of nice to think it's also becuase he hasn't got belly ache. Oh and he hasn't had a dirty nappy yet either.

OP posts:
Original poster
WikiSpeaks · 23/01/2011 14:43

So - he hasn't had any cows milk for about 36 hours and he did his first poo with some form this morning (DH took a photo! Grin)

Coincidence?

OP posts:
auntevil · 23/01/2011 18:49

It's not just the plot that thickens! Grin

Original poster
WikiSpeaks · 23/01/2011 18:52
Grin
OP posts:
mawbroon · 23/01/2011 20:46

That sounds promising Wiki!

Do bear in mind that it can take a good few days before you get completely normal poo (if it's a dairy intolerence of course!).

Any improvement on the crying front?

Original poster
WikiSpeaks · 23/01/2011 21:08

Well I've been proper ill today (diarrhoea and vomiting), so the kids were at their grandparents. DH collected them and the feedback was good, but then they always say that as they love him so much!

I was fully prepared to wait a fortnight before seeing any change.

I am really pleased, although my rational side says it's probably just a coincidence!

OP posts:
BadRoly · 23/01/2011 21:12

my almost 20mth old has this I think - he has had "proper" solid poos and then we have days (maybe weeks) of vile stinky burning nappies. The sort that make his bottom bleed if it is not changed instantly. I have just put it down to "one of those things".

lalabaloo · 23/01/2011 22:52

If it doesn't turn out to be the dairy I would recommend getting him tested for Coeliac Disease, which is an auto-immune condition that is treated by a gluten free diet. I am coeliac and didn't get diagnosed til I was 18! His symptoms sound very typical of CD. Hope you get sorted soon!

thecaptaincrocfamily · 23/01/2011 23:15

Well I'm glad that milk/dairy reduced has been successful for lo. It could be coincidence or it could be an allergy then. All that counts really is that you are both happy, things are improving and and the stools are thickening Grin Just don't forget to give vitamin supps if not on dairy!

Original poster
WikiSpeaks · 24/01/2011 08:49

Didn't know about vitamin supplements. I'll have to do some research.

DH is really struggling with DS this morning - he seems to have just kept on crying since he woke up.

I'm taking him to get jabs in a minute so might try and speak with HV.

My CM's daughter has coeliac - she's just been diagnosed at 10 years old, so there's good back up from CM whatever we're doing with DS.

OP posts:
Original poster
WikiSpeaks · 24/01/2011 21:27

Just to be polite - thought I'd update...

Ds has been quite whingy today but could be jabs.

The big news is that he had a proper dark solid poo in his nappy this evening.

Not wet, yellowy and stinky... and just one not 3 spread thorughout the day.

Never been so happy to see a poo! Grin

OP posts:
mawbroon · 25/01/2011 14:14

That is really promising Wiki. I hope you have got to the bottom of this (pardon the pun) and there's not something else making him miserable.

When I did this first with ds1, I kept him off all dairy in any shape or form for a long time and then started to introduce gradually it in the following order: (think i mentioned the downthread)

  • milk as a lesser ingredient in well cooked foods
  • cooked milk such as custard/sauce
  • cheese
  • yogurt
-raw milk

It is worth going to your doc and asking for a referral to a nutritionist. If you keep a food diary for a while, they would be able to have a look at it and prescribe calcium/vitamin supplements if neccessary.

I understand the delight about solid poo! DS1 and I are total poo watchers. Any time he gets a tummy bug, we have to cut back on his dairy until his poo is solid then introduce it to the point where his poo is ok. He knows exactly what a good poo should look like Grin

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